The Murder of Marilyn Monroe (32 page)

B
ODY
C
AVITY
:
The usual Y-shaped incision is made to open the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The pleural and abdominal cavities contain no excess of fluid or blood. The mediastinum shows no shifting or widening. The diaphragm is within normal limits. The lower edge of the liver is within the costal margin. The organs are in normal position and relationship.

C
ARDIOVASCULAR
S
YSTEM
:
The heart weighs 300 grams. The pericardial cavity contains no excess of fluid. The epicardium and pericardium are smooth and glistening. The left ventricular wall measures 1.1 cm. and the right 0.2 cm. The papillary muscles are not hypertrophic. The chordae tendieneae are not thickened or shortened. The valves have the usual number of leaflets which are thin and pliable. The tricuspid valve measures 10 cm., the pulmonary valve 6.5 cm., mitral valve 9.5 cm. and aortic valve 7 cm. in circumference. There is no septal defect. The foramen ovale is closed.

The coronary arteries arise from their usual location and are distributed in normal fashion. Multiple sections of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery with a 5 mm. interval demonstrate a patent lumen throughout. The circumflex branch and the right coronary artery also demonstrate a patent lumen. The pulmonary artery contains no thrombus.

The aorta has a bright yellow smooth intima.

R
ESPIRATORY
S
YSTEM
:
The right lung weighs 465 grams and the left 420 grams. Both lungs are moderately congested with some edema. The surface is dark red with mottling. The posterior portion of the lungs shows severe congestion. The tracheobronchial tree contains no aspirated material or blood. Multiple sections of the lungs show congestion and edematous fluid exuding from the cut surface. No consolidation or suppuration is noted. The mucosa of the larynx is grayish white.

L
IVER
AND
B
ILIARY
S
YSTEM
:
The liver weighs 1890 grams. The surface is dark brown and smooth. There are marked adhesions through the omentum and abdominal wall in the lower portion of the liver as the gallbladder has been removed. The common duct is widely patent. No calculus or obstructive material is found. Multiple sections of the liver show slight accentuation of the lobular pattern; however, no hemorrhage or tumor is found.

H
EMIC
AND
L
YMPHATIC
S
YSTEM
:
The spleen weighs 190 grams. The surface is dark red and smooth. Section shows dark red homogeneous firm cut surface. The malpighian bodies are not clearly identified. There is no evidence of lymphadenopathy. The bone marrow is dark red in color.

E
NDOCRINE
S
YSTEM
:
The adrenal glands have the usual architectural cortex and medulla. The thyroid glands are of normal size, color and consistency.

U
RINARY
S
YSTEM
:
The kidneys together weigh 350 grams. Their capsules can be stripped without difficulty. Dissection shows a moderately congested parenchyma. The cortical surface is smooth. The pelves and ureters are not dilated or stenosed. The urinary bladder contains approximately 150 cc. of clear straw-colored fluid. The mucosa is not altered.

G
ENITAL
S
YSTEM
:
The external genitalia shows no gross abnormality. Distribution of the pubic hair is of female pattern. The uterus is of the usual size. Multiple sections of the uterus show the usual thickness of the uterine wall without tumor nodules. The endometrium is grayish yellow, measuring up to 0.2 cm in thickness. No polyp or tumor is found. The cervix is clear, showing no nabothian cysts. The tubes are intact. The openings of the fimbria are patent. The right ovary demonstrates recent corpus luteum haemorrhagicum. The left ovary shows corpora lutea and albicantia. A vaginal smear is taken.

D
IGESTIVE
S
YSTEM
:
The esophagus has a longitudinal folding mucosa. The stomach is almost completely empty. The contents is brownish mucoid fluid. The volume is estimated to be no more than 20 cc. No residue of the pills is noted. A smear made from the gastric contents and examined under the polarized microscope shows no refractile crystals. The mucosa shows marked congestion and submucosal petechial hemorrhage diffusely. The duodenum shows no ulcer. The contents of the duodenum is also examined under polarized microscope and shows no refractile crystals. The remainder of the small intestine shows no gross abnormality. The appendix is absent. The colon shows marked congestion and purplish discoloration. The fecal contents is light brown and formed. The mucosa shows no discoloration.

The pancreas has a tan lobular architecture. Multiple sections shows a patent duct.

S
KELETOMUSCULAR
S
YSTEM
:
The clavicle, ribs, vertebrae and pelvic bones show no refractile lines. All bones of the extremities are examined by palpation showing no evidence of fracture.

H
EAD
AND
C
ENTRAL
N
ERVOUS
S
YSTEM
:
The brain weighs 1440 grams. Upon reflection of the scalp there is no evidence of contusion or hemorrhage. The temporal muscles are intact. Upon removal of the dura mater the cerebrospinal fluid is clear. The superficial vessels are slightly congested. The convolutions of the brain are not flattened. The contour of the brain is not distorted. No blood is found in the epidural, subdural or subarachnoid spaces. Multiple sections of the brain show the usual symmetrical ventricles and basal ganglia. Examination of the cerebellum and brain stem shows no gross abnormality. Following removal of the dura mater from the base of the skull and calvarium no skull fracture is demonstrated.

Liver temperature taken at 10:30 a.m. registered 89° F.

S
PECIMEN
:

Unembalmed blood is taken for alcohol and barbiturate examination. Liver, kidney, stomach and contents, urine and intestine are saved for further toxicological study. A vaginal smear is made.

T. NOGUCHI, M.D.

DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

TN:ag:G

8-13-62

R
EPORT OF
C
HEMICAL
A
NALYSIS

L
OS
A
NGELES
C
OUNTY
C
ORONER

Toxicology Laboratory

Hall of Justice

Los Angeles, California

File No. 81128

Name of Deceased: Marilyn Monroe

Date Submitted: August 6, 1962

Time: 8 a.m.

Autopsy Surgeon: T. Noguchi, M.D.

Test Desired: Ethanol, Barbiturates

Laboratory Findings:

Blood: Ethanol Absent

Blood: Barbiturates 4.5 mg. percent

Phenobarbital is absent.

Examined by:
Raymond Abernathy Head Toxicologist. Date: August 6, 1962

R
EPORT OF
C
HEMICAL
A
NALYSIS

L
OS
A
NGELES
C
OUNTY
C
ORONER

Toxicology Laboratory

Hall of Justice

Los Angeles, California

File No. 81128

Name of Deceased: Marilyn Monroe 1
^st
Supplement Date Submitted: August 6, 1962

Time: 8 a.m.

Autopsy Surgeon: T. Noguchi, M.D.

Test Desired: Chloral Hydrate, Pentobarbital

Laboratory Findings:

(SEE ORIGINAL REPORT)

Examined by:
Raymond Abernathy Head Toxicologist. Date: August 13, 1962

R
E
: D
EATH
R
EPORT
OF
M
ARILYN
M
ONROE
—LA P
OLICE
D
PT
.

Death was pronounced on 8/5/62 at 3:45 a.m., Possible Accidental, having taken place between the times of 8/4 and 8/5/62, 3:35 a.m. at residence located at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood, in Rptg. Dist. 814, Report # 62-509 463.

Marilyn Monroe on August 4, 1962 retired to her bedroom at about eight o’clock in the evening; Mrs. Eunice Murray of 933 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, Calif., 395-7752, CR 61890, noted a light in Miss Monroe’s bedroom. Mrs. Murray was not able to arouse Miss Monroe when she went to the door, and when she tried the door again at 3:30 a.m. when she noted the light still on, she found it to be locked. Thereupon Mrs. Murray observed Miss Monroe through the bedroom window and found her lying on her stomach in the bed and the appearance seemed unnatural. Mrs. Murray then called Miss Monroe’s psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph R. Greenson of 436 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif, CR 14050. Upon entering after breaking the bedroom window, he found Miss Monroe possibly dead. Then he telephoned Dr. Hyman Engelberg of 9730 Wilshire Boulevard, also of Beverly Hills, CR 54366, who came over and then pronounced Miss Monroe dead at 3:35 a.m. Miss Monroe was seen by Dr. Greenson on August 4, 1962 at 5:15 p.m., at her request, because she was not able to sleep. She was being treated by him for about a year. She was nude when Dr. Greenson found her dead with the telephone receiver in one hand and lying on her stomach. The Police Department was called and when they arrived they found Miss Monroe in the condition described above, except for the telephone which was removed by Dr. Greenson. There were found to be 15 bottles of medication on the night table and some were prescription. A bottle marked 1½ grains Nembutal, prescription #20853 and prescribed by Dr. Engelberg, and referring to this particular bottle, Dr. Engelberg made the statement that he prescribed a refill for this about two days ago and he further stated there probably should have been about 50 capsules at the time this was refilled by the pharmacist.