R.I.P.
David Carradine May Have Committed Suicide

UPDATE: Thai officials have announced that an autopsy will be performed on David Carradine this Friday.

One of the officers investigating the incident has just released the following statement: "I can confirm that we found his body, naked, hanging in the closet."

UPDATE:
A Thai newspaper is now reporting the body was hanging for no less than 12 hours before it was discovered by the maid, adding there was no sign of struggle.

David Carradine: Click to watch
UPDATE: We just spoke with the director of the film David finished last week. Jim Wynorski told us as recently as a week ago Sunday, David was "jovial, full of life and kept everyone laughing on the set." Wynorski said he constantly talked about his family -- the apparent suicide "just doesn't at all seem like him."

UPDATE: TMZ has learned that the day before he died, David Carradine was in good spirits while shooting scenes for a movie at a local eatery -- the Witch's Oyster Bar & Restaurant.

We're told Carradine's crew was posted up on the second floor -- but David would occasionally stroll down to the restaurant level to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage. Sources inside the restaurant tell us "he didn't look sad ... he looked fine."

UPDATE:
The BBC claims Thai police told them a hotel maid found David Carradine this morning sitting in a wardrobe room with a rope around his neck and body.

David CarradineThere are conflicting reports about the rope. A Thai newspaper is citing cops who say the cord used in the hanging was from curtains in the hotel room. A Thai wire service says the rope did not come from the hotel.

TMZ has not been able to confirm any of these reports independently.

The 72-year-old's agent claims the actor had been in great spirits during the trip to Thailand.

Story developing ...



Tags: david carradine, DavidCarradine, suicide, thailand

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61. Go in peace Grasshopper.

Posted at 11:58AM on Jun 4th 2009 by ResponsibleMom

62. I agree with Dawn and the others who said it was accidental - sounds erotic asphyxiation to me too...

Posted at 5:49AM on Jun 5th 2009 by lonerose99

63. Doing research for his new movie "Hung Fu" Sorry. He was a skilled actor and I was amazed at his performance in the Kill Bill movies. I agree with the others, something does not add up.

Posted at 12:26PM on Jun 4th 2009 by tom

64. Your are outrageously irresponsible for reporting unconfirmed. If you turn out to be mistaken, I hope his family use your ass off.

Even if you turn out to be right, there is absolutely no justification for publishing without independent verification.

Posted at 12:30PM on Jun 4th 2009 by joehark

65. Maybe that's why he did it in Thailand. He knew they have crappy cops. Maybe he didn't want his family to know he committed suicide.

Posted at 12:27PM on Jun 4th 2009 by j

66. I wish TMZ and people in general would stop with the speculation and wait for details when something like this happens. It is devasting enough for his family without having to put up with all the rumors being started. He was a great actor regardless of the circumstances.

Posted at 12:28PM on Jun 4th 2009 by ronnie

67. Love the line "TMZ has not been able to confirm these reports independently". When in the history of the world has TMZ ever confirmed an ugly rumor before printing it? The uglier the rumor the faster TMZ prints it. Doesn't matter if its a lie, doesn't matter who it hurts...just print.

Posted at 12:33PM on Jun 4th 2009 by Madeleine

68. This is exactly the problem with the media today. Reporting on a story before they have all the facts. TMZ is notorious for this and has created much hardship and stress in people's lives because of it. In my opinion, media like TMZ should be reprimanded and made to pay through the nose for unfactual reporting.
As far as David is concerned, he was a great actor and much respected in the Hollywood acting community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
As far as TMZ goes - I hope Davids family sues you into oblivion! You are part of a big problem in America today. Keep up the slimeball work!

Posted at 12:36PM on Jun 4th 2009 by Chad

69. My mom was in the San Francisco airport a couple of weeks ago and was waiting to board the plane. He was in front of her and she said that he looked down and upset. He kept saying that he lost his ticket but it was in his pocket and the stewardess kept telling him that the ticket was in his pocket. He kept saying that he needed to know where to sit but that he lost his ticket! Someone from the plane yelled "Are you David Carradine" and he muttered under his breath "I used to be".
Definately brought a tear to my eye! Someone so talented feeling that way about themselves. I hope and pray that this story is wrong and he did not end his own life. My prayers go out to him and his family.
R.I.P David

Posted at 12:37PM on Jun 4th 2009 by Lanstar

70. guess he killed Bill.

Posted at 12:38PM on Jun 4th 2009 by Teri

71. I am having a hard time believing he committed suicide! More like murder!!! It is possible that someone could have come in his room and made it look like he killed himself..I don't think every one loved him like Americans do! Keep an open mind on this case.. After all he had a loving wife and children and he was not in debt...

Posted at 12:47PM on Jun 4th 2009 by tania

72. There is some speculation that it was auto-erotic asphyxiation... the same way Michael Hutchence of INXS died.

Posted at 12:47PM on Jun 4th 2009 by TJ

73. This story is already sounding very suspect and not making sense. Was he found both hanging and "sitting" at the same time (and how exactly would you hang yourself while sitting down)? Was it a cord or a rope? Why would he suddenly hang himself in that particular place with absolutely no sign of any sort of depression? I dont think this was a suicide, and it would be nice if TMZ would hold off on jumping the gun and declaring it as such. This bears investigation outside of the Thailand authorities. Rest in Peace if you can, David.

Posted at 12:52PM on Jun 4th 2009 by Saint Subversive

74. Don't assume he didn't take his own life - when we get older and things don't work anymore - like memory - its difficult to accept. Here is what the National Enquirer is reporting. I hope its not true - it would be a terrible epitaph on his life.

Carradine had been staying in the Park Nai Lert Hotel since June 2. Producers became concerned when Carradine failed to show up at a dinner last night.

A hotel's maid discovered a "half naked" Carradine dead in closet this morning at 10 am

Preliminary police investigation indicates the actor hung himself with a curtain sash rope. Cops say he was dead for less than 12 hours prior to discovery with no sign of assault.

Early reports from the BBC suggested the sash was also around the lower extremity of his body specifically the genitalia suggesting his death may have been caused by erotic auto-asphyxiation.

Posted at 12:53PM on Jun 4th 2009 by carol

75. RIP. Hope your at peace now. Thank you for all the years of wonderful acting. You will be missed.

Posted at 12:54PM on Jun 4th 2009 by AnimalLove4Life

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