Carradine death 'wasn't suicide'

3 July 2009 10:51am

David Carradine did not commit suicide, a private pathologist has said.

The doctor, who conducted a second autopsy on the Kill Bill star's body, said he agreed with Thai authorities that the actor died of asphyxia, and that he had not taken his own life.

But the pathologist said he cannot yet determine whether Carradine's death was accidental or a homicide.

He is still waiting for key details from Thai authorities, which include results from toxicology tests, an analysis of items found in Carradine's room, security surveillance footage and a log of room entries from the hotel's key card system.

The pathologist performed a second autopsy on Carradine's body after it was returned to the US.

The actor was buried on June 13 in Los Angeles.

Thai police initially said they suspected Carradine's death was a suicide, but later conceded it could have been accidental. Their description - that the actor's body was found nude, with ropes around his neck, wrist and genitals - fuelled speculation that he was killed while engaging in a dangerous sex practice called autoerotic asphyxiation.

The pathologist said autoerotic asphyxiation remains a possible cause of death.

Some of Carradine's friends have said they suspect foul play in his death. His brothers, Keith and Robert, have urged patience until all information is available and promised to release the results of the inquiry.

© The Press Association