What actually happened to Marilyn Monroe?
Picture provided by Time Magazine
We all know of the iconic Marilyn Monroe. She’s known for playing the “dumb blonde” in movies during the 1950s. However, her career was cut short when she was found dead in her Los Angeles home on Aug. 5, 1962. She was 36 years old. The autopsy claimed she committed “accidental suicide” through drug overdose, but conspiracy theories have been created ever since her death.
Rightwing author Frank A. Capell came up with the most famous conspiracy theory about Monroe’s death. He claims Attorney General Robert Kennedy killed Monroe. There were rumors about Monroe’s affair with Kennedy, which spread through the country. The theory is Kennedy tried to break off the affair, but Monroe threatened to go public, which caused Kennedy to hire a hitman to murder Monroe. Monroe also didn’t leave a suicide note, which makes the murder theory more believable.
“I think Robert Kennedy hired a hitman to kill Marilyn Monroe. I don’t think he murdered her or had help murdering her because that would be too personal,” sophomore Emily A. said.
There are also theories which claim Kennedy did not act alone. His brother-in-law, Peter Lawford, and infamous FBI Agent J. Edgar Hoover are rumored to have helped Kennedy with Monroe’s murder.
Journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Anthony Summers added to this theory with the belief Monroe overdosed on drugs and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. After she died, Kennedy, Lawford and Hoover took her body back to her home and staged her body to make it look like a suicide.
Another theory about Monroe’s death claims Chicago mafia boss Sam Giancana had her killed. The San Francisco Gate said it is asserted by Giancana’s brother and godson that Giancana knew about Monroe’s affair with Kennedy, so he sent a hitman to Los Angeles to kill Monroe as revenge against Kennedy for trying to fight against his power.
“Wow, I’ve never heard of the mafia theory. That theory makes a lot of sense to me though, because Robert Kennedy probably did not want to place the bad image on himself or his family if he were to get caught,” Olentangy Berkshire Middle School History teacher Justin Emrich said.
It’s not confirmed if any of these theories about Marilyn Monroe’s death are true, but with all of the scandal Monroe was involved with, some of these theories would make sense. Which theory is it? Did Kennedy kill Monroe? Did he act alone or did he have help? Or did mafia boss Giancana kill Monroe? We may never know.
tae • Dec 14, 2020 at 1:40 am
This makes a lot of since i know for a fact that Marilyn Monroe did not die because of drugs the story is deeper than they are telling us…just like whitney houston, prince and a lot of other stars it’s almost like you get the same story it’s to common that stars are dying because of an ¨Accidental overdose¨….people planned to kill these people and set up a fake story monroe’s beauty was breathtaking i hope one day the truth comes out but for now rest in peace princess.
Monica Stanford • Oct 18, 2017 at 10:18 am
This was a very well written article on Marilyn Monroe’s strange death. It gave short, to the point background information and evidence to each of the theories and Monroe’s life. This piece definitely makes me think she was murdered rather than an “accidental suicide”!
mary hill • Sep 15, 2017 at 5:06 pm
Wow, this article simply shows pure talent. Great job to Reagan!
Charmaine Jeklé • Sep 15, 2017 at 4:07 pm
This was so good! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I don’t think Marilyn killed herself, I think she was killed by someone else! Thank you Reagan for this wonderful piece of work.