The Debates Over Marilyn Monroe’S Death
Cameras flashing, people yelling, dazzling gowns twirling around as if they had a life of their own; the world seemed to spin around as she took in the sights that were her life. Once the noise faded and lights dimmed Marilyn Monroe slowly closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful slumber, sheltered from the outside world. She did not awake from that slumber, however, and the story goes that on August 5, 1962, Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home. Yet, those who are curious of mind and admire Marilyn Monroe's work find it ambiguous that at the age of 36, a young woman full of life and the world at her fingertips dies of overdose suddenly one night. But the thought was lost in the grief the country shared in the loss of a beloved star. In the recent decades, conspiracy theories about her death have risen offering a unique perspective when comparing the case evidence.
One of the many accusations that are most contended is she was silenced by John and/or Robert Kennedy, with whom she allegedly had love affairs. Another popular belief was Monroe had been murdered by Jimmy Hoffa and mob boss Sam Giancana. Now, 55 years later, debate still continues over what really happened. Hollywood, to the regular eye, is a place where dreams happens, the famous live lavishly, and are adorned with jewels. Although, behind the tv screen, an unspoken truth lies. Celebrities construct personalities, ideologies, and beliefs into a false reality so that the public sees the facade. Behind that mask though, all their darkest fears quietly consume them inside out and no one hears the silent cries. By 1961, Marilyn Monroe was beset by depression only finding comfort in the consistent care of her therapist; although that care only did so much. Towards her final months, Monroe still attended events and parties, but many “Witnesses describe her as angry, confused and clearly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
As tended to happen, everybody wanted to meet her, to share her magic, and as also tended to happen, Marilyn couldn’t cope with it. ” (Langley,2012). Her days in the spotlight were coming to an end as critics argued she was either too pale, thin, lifeless and the original blonde locks were ruined by bleach. She couldn't leave the house without having her makeup and hair artist get her ready for the day. However, Monroe’s history of pain and desolation did not originate after becoming a well-known actress as well as a model, but from early childhood. Born to a single mother, who was frequently confined to an asylum, and growing up knowing nothing of her father, this persona of a lonely young girl haunted her for the rest of her life; installing an everlasting fear of being left alone in the world and a constant need for support from others ('Marilyn Monroe', 2017). Psychological factors played a crucial role in the investigation of Marilyn Monroe’s death when determining she committed suicide, but these facts were not enough to prove anything. Los Angeles police and detectives worked around the clock to figure out what Monroe’s schedule was, up to her last days and who she was with.
According to Wikipedia, on August 4th, her last day alive, she spent the morning with photographer, Lawrence Schiller, discussing the possibility of publishing photos from a shoot taken during the filming of Something’s Got to Give. Present with her in the morning was the housekeeper and her publicist who testified she talked on the phone with friends, received a message from her massage therapist and signed for various deliveries throughout the day. At 4:30 p. m. , Dr. Ralph Greenson arrived at the house to conduct a therapy session with Monroe. Before he left around 7 p. m. , he asked the housekeeper to stay overnight and keep Monroe company. Monroe retired to her bedroom, exhausted from the day, where she received a call from actor Peter Lawford. He hoped to persuade her to attend his party that night, but Lawford became alarmed as Monroe sounded like she was under the influence of drugs, and told him to: 'Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to the president [Lawford's brother-in-law], and say goodbye to yourself, because you're a nice guy', before drifting off. It is widely conversated that those last words spoken by Marilyn Monroe were her form of a suicide note, her words, and soul forever vanishing. Unnerved and concerned for the safely of Marilyn he tried calling her again but she would not reply, yet Lawford did not give up. He continued ringing others around to see if anyone was home to check in on the actress and was assured by her housekeeper that she was fine. The dusky night lingered on when the housekeep awoke “sensing that something was wrong”. Unable to open the door she called Greenson, who suggested she should look through the window. She saw Monroe lying facedown on her bed, covered by a sheet and clutching a telephone receiver.
A few days later an autopsy was conducted and “the toxicological analysis concluded that the cause of death was acute barbiturate poisoning, as she had 8 mg% of chloral hydrateand 4. 5 mg% of pentobarbital in her blood, and a further 13 mg% of pentobarbital in her liver. Empty bottles of these medicines were found next to her bed by the police. There were no signs of external violence on the body” ('Death of Marilyn Monroe', 2017). Tormented by her past and present issues, Marilyn Monroe felt as if she were against the world and couldn’t bear the suffering any longer. While many controversies exist regarding the death of the iconic Marilyn Monroe, specifically one can be recognized world round. The theory is that John and/or Robert Kennedy were involved with her passing due to a complicated history with both brothers. Marilyn Monroe was one of the most charming and desirable stars of her time. John F. Kennedy was the current president of the United States. After Marilyn performed an unforgettable execution of 'Happy Birthday' at the commander-in-chief's 45th birthday party on May 19, 1962, rumors of an affair were launched. The public absorbed every minute of the forbidden love affair. Those rumors have persisted throughout history, even though details of an ongoing relationship between the two are actually pretty scarce (Murtaugh, 2017). Suspicion was met with answers when the secret service suddenly became involved, restricting photographs of JFK and Marilyn Monroe together. A photograph taken during a party is reportedly the only known image of Kennedy with Monroe.
According to Keya Morgan, who owns the original print, the FBI confiscated every photo he shot from that night; even the ones that weren’t developed (Berman, 2010). However, it is speculated that their affair did not last long. JFK, being president of the USA at the time, could not have career threatening rumors flying around. For a fact, 'He was very close with Jackie and he said he did not want to do anything to really hurt her and upset her' (Berman, 2010). Susan Strasberg , a close friend of Monroe, corroborated this statement in her unpublished memoir. 'It was O. K. to sleep with a charismatic president,' Susan said, 'and Marilyn loved the secrecy and the drama of it, but Kennedy was not the kind of man she wanted to spend her life with, and she made that very clear. ' (Murtaugh, 2017). After John F. Kennedy cut ties with Monroe, she found a sense of familiarity and comfort in his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, allegedly sharing an affair with him as well. Nevertheless, once Robert F. Kennedy had his amusement he also threw Monroe aside like a rag doll. In a fit of rage, she “threatened to reveal her affairs with the Kennedy brothers. Monroe was thought to be a liability, allegedly keeping records of conversations detailing highly confidential government information in a “little red book”. ('4 Conspiracy Theories about the Death of Marilyn Monroe', 2017) There was only one solution the brothers could think of that would save their careers and personal lives; murder. Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe’s former husband, revelaved in a biography, Dinner with DiMaggio: Memories of an American Hero, that ''The whole lot of Kennedys were lady-killers,and they always got away with it. They'll be getting away with it a hundred years from now. ” (Murtaugh, 2017). In an article by a student at Almeda University they note that Detective Clemson gave a testimony staying there were numerous inconsistencies with the case.
For example, the crime scene was tampered with, the investigation was not handled according to regular protocol, there was no drinking glass in the bedroom of Marilyn Monroe in which she could’ve used to inhale the unhealthy amount of pills and lastly when talking to other policemen, who arrived at the scene before he did, many of their stories were changed to a different version every time. A secret FBI document, uncovered suggests that the U. S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, was aware, in the a plot to induce actress Marilyn Monroe to commit suicide, reports the Sydney Morning Herald ('PEOPLE Explains: All About Marilyn Monroe's Alleged Affairs with JFK and Brother Bobby', 2017). Another popular conspiracy among society was that the mafia murdered Marilyn Monroe under the hand of Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana and American union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Believing that by taking out their hate on Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, who ordered a crackdown on organized crime at the time, would feel a heart aching pain without her presence in the world for his decision. The team executed the plan by giving her an enema with hazardous drugs; using this technique to hide any traces of the pill in her stomach when examining the body.
According to the book The Secret Letters by Wendy Leigh, hypnotic drugs have been used in previous years in a number of brutal underworld killings and was the mafia’s pharmaceutical murder weapon of choice. “At the time, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, Los Angeles Deputy Medical Examiner, found 8mg of chloral hydrate and 4. 5mg of Nembutal - barbiturate sleeping tablets - in Monroe’s blood. Although she had taken enough Nembutal and chloral hydrate to kill 15 people, no trace of tablets was found in her stomach. ” including missing bodily and tissue samples (Why the mafia had to murder Marilyn Monroe, 2002). While all seemed like a normal day for the mafia, Sam Giancana slipped a confession when writing to his brother claiming “She struggled at first, but the thugs’ “rubber-gloved hands easily forced her nude body to the bed. ” (Marilyn Monroe Was Killed on Orders of Mafia Godfather in ‘perfect’ hit, 1992) clarifying the apparent bruises found on her body. In retrospect, these adversities Marilyn underwent could very well be indicative of the fact that she was plagued by anxiety, self-doubt, and low self-esteem.
She possessed a desire to be loved, but an inability to find this, and perhaps she created the façade of Marilyn in attempt to genuinely experience the love and attention she’d been deprived of at such a fragile and vulnerable state in her life. From the several notable conspiracy theories surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death, the historical facts and details involved in each of the alleged scenarios, suicide was the most probable reason for death. With a heavy psychological background and pressure from those around it was easy for her to stray from the path and into a dark pit where she felt there was no way out. However, some argue against this conspiracy due to the fact that Monroe did not seem suicidal. She had planned on become a more serious actress and moving forward in society. Although, Monroe did not reveal to the public on how she truly felt on the inside about her life. Only her psychologist could have known but could not announce any of the details due to privacy policies. Overall, there will always be ongoing conjectures on what actually happened in her last days.
