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A Curious Look at Marilyn Monroe’s Death Scene

Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene

On August 5, 1962, the mysterious death of one of the most popular Hollywood stars, Marilyn Monroe, shook the world.

Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene

At approximately 3:00 a.m., Marilyn’s housekeeper, Eunice Murray, noticed Monroe’s bedroom light was on and the door was locked.

Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene

She immediately called Monroe’s psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, on whose advice she looked in through a window and saw Marilyn lying facedown on her bed, covered by a sheet and clutching a telephone receiver.

Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene

After Dr. Greenson arrived, he entered the room by breaking a window and found Marilyn Monroe dead. At 4:25 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department got called into the scene.

Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene

After a brief investigation, the LAPD concluded that Marilyn Monroe’s death was “caused by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs and that the mode of death is probable suicide.”

Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
One of three morgue shots taken by a famed photographer Leigh Wiener.
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
Leigh reportedly bribed the morning guards with a couple bottles of scotch so they would let him into the morgue, where the body of the actress laid.
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
Leigh’s son, Devik, revealed that his father had also taken post-mortem shots of naked Marilyn, but never revealed the location of the films.
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
One of two official post-mortem photos of Marilyn Monroe from the Los Angeles Police Department files.
Marilyn Monroe's Death Scene
One of two official post-mortem photos of Marilyn Monroe from the Los Angeles Police Department files.

Despite the coroner’s verdict, people are still offering numerous conspiracy theories about what really happened to Marilyn Monroe.

Behind the Tape Photobook
This photo gallery originally appeared in Behind the Tape Photobook, along with nearly a thousand more exclusive crime scene photos.
WARNING: THE PHOTOBOOK ISN’T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
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