EXPERT: David Carradine Did Not Commit Suicide

Dr. Michael Baden, the famed pathologist hired by David Carradine’s family to conduct a second autopsy on the Kung Fu star, told the AP exclusively today that suicide could be ruled out as a cause of death.

Reading from prepared statements to AP reporters present in a Los Angeles hotel room, Keith Carradine said, “This is a devastating loss for our family and we greatly appreciate the compassion pouring in from all over the world.”

He went on to thank the government of Thailand and Bangkok police for their “support and cooperation,” and the U.S. Department of State for their assistance in investigating David’s June 4 death.  The actor was discovered hanging in his hotel room closet, with rope around his neck, hands and genitals, leading many to suspect he was a victim of auto-erotic asphyxiation gone wrong.

Brother Robert Carradine also read a own statement asking the public to allow his family to “to lay our beloved brother, husband and father, grandfather and great grandfather to rest in peace and with dignity.”

The Carradines then released a statement by Dr. Baden in which he said, “To reach a final determination as to the cause and the manner of death we must wait for further information from Thailand as to the scene findings and the completion of the crime laboratory and toxicology studies that are still being performed.”  He did not explain how he’d ruled suicide out as a cause.

(Photo: Wenn)