Marilyn Monroe by Jaylyn Cole

            On August 5,1962, the death of Marilyn Monroe shocked the nation. The beautiful, iconic, thirty-six-year-old entrepreneur from Los Angeles, California, was found dead in her Brentwood, California. Marilyn's untimely death was ruled a suicide due to a fatal overdose from prescription medicine. Since her death more than half a century ago, many conspiracies have surfaced:

1.       Did Robert Kennedy murder Marilyn Monroe for knowing “too much”?

2.       Did the Mafia killed Marilyn to hurt the Kennedys?

3.       Did Marilyn Monroe fake her own death?

Let’s examine Marilyn Monroe and the conspiracies surrounding her “suicide”, starting with the most plausible solution being murdered by the Mafia.

Character Analysis

            Who was Marilyn Monroe? Simply Google “astonishing”, Marilyn Monroe should flood your screen. Monroe was your typical California golden girl mixed with center-fold magazine beauty: tall, voluptuous, 5’5 1/25”, 117 pounds, frosty blue eyes, perfect platinum blonde hair, and fair skin (Marilyn Monroe’s True Size see Schedule A). “Marilyn Monroe was a legend. In her own lifetime she created a myth of what a poor girl from a deprived background could attain.” (Lee Strasberg). Marilyn fit the description of “amazing.”

            On June 1,1926, Norma Jeane Mortenson, later changed to Norma Jeane Baker, was born. As a young girl Marilyn spent most of her time in many foster cares where she was sexually assaulted on many occasions and later raped at the age of eleven (Marilyn Monroe). Through these horrendous times Marilyn desperately wanted a way out of foster care. However, the only way out was marriage. At the age of sixteen Marilyn married, her first of three husbands, James Dougherty on June 19,1946 (Marilyn Monroe). By this time Marilyn had already dropped out of high school, While Dougherty was away for work Marilyn worked in a factory where she was discovered by a photographer (Marilyn Monroe). When Dougherty returned in 1946 the woman he knew as Norma Jean Baker was now legally Marilyn Monroe, a successful model and actress in the making. Marilyn looked up to Lana Turner and Jean Harlow, hoping one day to become just like them.           

            How did the people in Marilyn’s life describe her? Although many found Marilyn to be sweet and compassionate, science journalist Claudia Kalb begged to differ. Kalb believed that Monroe was experiencing severe mental distress. Kalb stated that Monroe, “yearned for love and stability” she “often lashed out at those she cared about” (Kalb). Kalb also believed that Monroe suffered from the feeling of emptiness, unstable relationships, and emotional volatility which later led to substance and alcohol abuse. The symptoms Kalb states Monroe suffered from are all symptoms directly related to borderline personality disorder.  Kalb reference to Monroe being emotionally unstable can be supported by an article published in 1953 by James Dougherty, Monroe’s first husband, tilted ‘Marilyn Monroe Was My Wife’. Dougherty stated that “She was so sensitive and insecure...” (Soto p79). In a book titled ‘Marilyn Monroe: The Biography’, written by Daniel Soto, Soto states “Norma Jeane, on the other hand was friendless, had few social skills, was nervous about embarrassing them both in public and became jealous, angry and frightened of being abandoned…” (Soto p79).  

            How did photographers and press view Marilyn? In the start of her career she was a photographer’s dream. Many insisted she was cooperative, eager, and good-humored, they believed something alive and fresh lived inside Monroe and just before the camera shuttered it sprang free (Soto p91-92). Photographer Conover insisted that Monroe’s connection with the camera was as if she was offering herself fully (Soto p92). “There was a luminous quality to her face…” “…a fragility combined with astonishing vibrancy.” Conover revealed (Soto p92). In the shocking sudden death of Marilyn Monroe, numerous conspiracies have surfaced. These include; Monroe was murdered by Kennedy, Monroe was murdered by the Mafia, and Monroe faked her own death. Although, these conspiracies may seem farfetched the facts of her death support only one theory.

            The first conspiracy theory proposes that Monroe was murdered by Robert Kennedy Jr. for knowing “too much”. Marilyn was first introduced to Robert Kennedy Jr. in 1954 (Peter Lawford).  Nearly ten years later, the FBI was tipped off by author Frank Capbell informing them to investigate the Kennedy clan of being responsible for Monroe’s death (Rebecca Harrington). Marilyn Monroe was rumored to have kept a little red book detailing her affairs with Robert Kennedy Jr., President John F Kennedy, and cousin Peter Lawford (Rebecca Harrington). This little red book is rumored to have contained juicy details about the affairs and other confidential matters that would shame the Kennedy name. According to Mail Online; “Bobby Kennedy was determined to shut her up regardless of the consequences.” (“Bobby Kennedy ordered Marilyn Monroe's murder by lethal injection.”). What was in this little red book that the Attorney General and President of the United States, wanted her silenced for? According to Bobby Kennedys memories of the night of August 5^th, he was in San Francisco. However, Kennedy’s claim contradicts with renowned wire tapper Bernard Spindel. Spinel claims to have heard Kennedy and Monroe arguing, in the presence of Lawford, followed by a loud bang, which is believed to be the moment of her death (Spindel). However, these recordings were seized and destroyed in 1966. Although, these wild accusations were made the Kennedy clan was never deemed responsible for the death of Marilyn Monroe.

The second conspiracy suggests that Marilyn Monroe was murdered by the Mafia, Sam Giancana to be exact. Giancana believed that Marilyn Monroe was romantically involved with Johnny Roselli, Giancana’s henchman, (Darwin Porter). Giancana also believed that Monroe was “threatening to blow the lid off his operations (Porter). Giancana is said to have coerced the famous Hollywood actor into seducing powerful male figures that Giancana wanted to blackmail (Porter). “A lot of people had a lot to lose if Marilyn spoke out,” Porter said. “She was making a lot of dangerous statements and didn’t realize she was playing with the big boys. I think Marilyn got in over her head.” (“4 conspiracy theories about the death of Marilyn Monroe.”).  Many believe that Giancana ordered five mafia men to kill Monroe by using a washcloth drenched in chloroform, stripping her naked then giving her a barbiturate enema (Porter). According to the autopsy report, Marilyn Monroe had “congestion and purplish discoloration of the colon” (“Marilyn Monroe Autopsy Report”). Although this conspiracy is widely popular, no solid evidence against Sam Giancana and the mafia can support this theory.

The final conspiracy surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s tragic death claims that Marilyn Monroe in fact never died on August 5,1962, but instead faked her own death. Some facts about the case are the according to the corners report Marilyn Monroe swallowed forty barbiturates. The barbiturates caused her stomach lining to hemorrhage (“Marilyn Monroe Autopsy Report”). The Autopsy was taken by deputy medical examiner “T. Noguchi” (“Marilyn Monroe Autopsy Report”). According to crime scene photos, there was no trace of liquid found in Monroe’s room.  Mortuary drivers Allan Abbott and Ron Hast, Marilyn Monroe’s body was “unrecognizable” (Abbott & Hast). They described Marilyn Monroe’s body to have false teeth, false breast, prominent dark roots and a swollen neck (“Who Killed Marilyn Monroe - The Secret Truth.”).  Why would such an iconic, and famous woman want to fake her own death?  Writer Erik Romane is convinced she faked her death to escape; difficult circumstances surrounding the Mafia, harassment by the press, her drug and alcohol problem, and her failed relationships with numerous high-profile figures (Erik Romane). Numerous sources claim Marilyn Monroe was threatening the Kennedy’s to reveal their affairs (Anthony Scaduto). When the affairs with Monroe took a turn for the worse, Marilyn would call the White House in throes of depression demanding to speak with the President and his brother (Scaduto). Investigative reports Jay Margolis and Richard Buskin, claim that the FBI and CIA are linked to the night of Marilyn Monroe’s death (“Who Killed Marilyn Monroe - The Secret Truth.”). However, it isn’t clear on how they are involved. Could it be that they were helping Monroe escape, or could it be something more sinister? Another claim that Marilyn Monroe wanted to fake her death, was that according to her house keeper, on the morning of August 4,1962, Monroe received a call from her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio claiming that their affair was over for good (Romane). On June 28,2009, twenty-six people claimed to have spotted Marilyn Monroe walking on the beach in Hawaii (“Did Marilyn Monroe Fake Her Own Death?”). However, this conspiracy was never considered possible by authorities, it remains the most plausible conspiracy theory.

            To many outsiders looking in, Marilyn Monroe had everything; beauty, brains, fame, wealth. The idea of Monroe committing suicide was hard for the public to stomach. For the past five and a half decades numerous conspiracy theories surrounding Monroe’s death have surfaced. These conspiracies are what keep the iconic legends name alive.

 

 

Works Citied Page

 

AlltimeConspiracies. “Did Marilyn Monroe Fake Her Own Death?” YouTube, YouTube, 1 Dec. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT3KhO0611M&t=321s.

Autopsyfiles.org. “Marilyn Monroe Autopsy Report.” Welcome to Autopsyfiles.Org - Home Page - Autopsy Reports of Celebrities and Other Famous Individuals!, www.autopsyfiles.org/mmonroe.htm.

“Bobby Kennedy ordered Marilyn Monroe's murder by lethal injection.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks7DRLOdxVM.

Harrington, Rebecca. “The FBI warned Bobby Kennedy a book was coming out revealing his affair with Marilyn Monroe and blaming him for her death.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 29 Oct. 2017, www.businessinsider.com/bobby-kennedy-marilyn-monroe-jfk-files-fbi-warned-affair-book-2017-10.

KALB, CLAUDIA. ANDY WARHOL WAS A HOARDER: inside the minds of historys great personalities. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOC, 2018.

“Marilyn Monroe's True Size. Her clothing tells the truth.” The Marilyn Monroe Collection, themarilynmonroecollection.com/marilyn-monroe-true-size/.

 “Marilyn Monroe.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017, www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123.

“Who Killed Marilyn Monroe - The Secret Truth.” YouTube, YouTube, 1 Mar. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc7chNNfOww.

 “4 conspiracy theories about the death of Marilyn Monroe.” Guide, 24 July 2017, www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2017/07/24/4-conspiracy-theories-about-death-marilyn-monroe.