The world was shocked when news broke that Marilyn Monroe, the iconic Hollywood star, had been found dead in her home in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 1962.
At the age of 36, Monroe’s life came to a tragic end due to a barbiturate overdose, leading to speculations of suicide.
Her body was discovered by her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, who found Monroe lifeless in bed early in the morning.
Following the discovery, authorities were informed, and Monroe’s body was eventually taken to the local morgue for further examination.
In the years leading up to her untimely death, Monroe had risen to incredible fame, becoming one of the most renowned figures globally.
Her roles in classic films like “Some Like It Hot,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “The Seven Year Itch,” and “Niagara” solidified her status as a sought-after actress and model.
Despite her fame and beauty, Monroe’s body faced a disturbing fate after her death.
Reports suggested that she was left unattended in the mortuary for over 24 hours, raising questions about the treatment of her remains.
While rumors circulated that her body had even gone missing during this time, no evidence supported these claims.
Following her passing, Monroe’s ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio, who had maintained a close relationship with her despite their divorce in 1946, claimed her body.
DiMaggio organized a modest funeral on August 8, 1962, inviting only a select group of close family and friends to bid farewell to the star.
The service was closely monitored by the police to ensure privacy amidst the public’s curiosity.
In the aftermath of the funeral, DiMaggio arranged for red roses to be placed at Monroe’s crypt three times weekly for the next two decades as a loving tribute to her memory.
Years later, revelations emerged about Monroe’s condition at the morgue.
Dr. Thomas Noguchi, tasked with conducting her autopsy, disclosed that samples from her stomach and intestines had been tampered with, affecting the toxicology reports.
Moreover, critical tests on her toxicology were never conducted, except for her blood and liver samples, complicating the investigation into her cause of death.
Allan Abbott, who oversaw Monroe’s funeral arrangements, detailed her deteriorated state upon arrival at the morgue.
He described her appearance as drastically altered, with signs of neglect evident on her body, painting a stark contrast to her glamorous public image.
Abbott noted the distressing physical changes Monroe underwent post-mortem, revealing the need for surgical intervention to alleviate the swelling in her neck caused by blood pooling due to her facedown position at the time of death.
The revelations shed light on the tragic circumstances surrounding Monroe’s demise, highlighting the harsh realities behind the glitz and glamour of stardom.
