Who murdered Marilyn Monroe? Yesterday I watched the documentary "MARILYN: Portrait of a Legend". It is better than my other documentaries on her, which show the same photos and film clips and re-hash the same "official" biographical information. The only exception is MARILYN & THE KENNEDYS (1988), which explains the 25 year cover-up of Marilyn's murder.
MARILYN starts by mentioning she was illegitimate, dispels some of the myths about her, and shows photos of her I've never seen before. Some film clips from her early career were also new to me, and her performance at JFK's birthday party is shown in its entirety. Elton John's lovely "Candle in the Wind" plays throughout the film.
The last part is the most shocking. Robert Slatzer, the writer, film director, close friend & advisor, and former husband to Marilyn Monroe carefully explains that Marilyn was murdered by the CIA because of her affairs with John and Robert Kennedy.
At the time of her death, Marilyn was happy. She had been re-hired to finish "Something's Got To Give" and told all her friends about her optimistic plans for the future.
Marilyn also scheduled a press conference to tell the world about her affairs with the Kennedys. Deadly mistake. Robert Kennedy secretly (with many witnesses) met with Marilyn the night of her murder. Jimmy Hoffa bugged her home and there is an audio tape of a violent argument between Marilyn and Robert at 10:30 pm, August 4, 1962.
Comatose, but still alive, Marilyn was taken to Santa Monica Hospital. She died sometime between 10:30 pm and midnight, then her body was returned to her home and arranged as a suicide. Police could find NO fingerprints whatsoever anywhere in her home. The CIA had done a thorough clean-up.
An autopsy revealed that she had died of a drug overdose, but there was no trace of medication in her digestive system. She had been injected with enough Nembutal to kill 10 people or 3 horses.
There was no Coroner's Inquest. For years Robert Slatzer and others worked to have her murder investigated. Finally a Grand Jury Inquiry was approved, but the District Attorney fired the Foreman. This was unprecedented in California legal history. There is no statute of limitations for murder. When the documentary was made, 7 people knew exactly what happened to Marilyn Monroe on 08/04/62. None have ever testified under oath.
Rest In Peace, Marilyn. "And it seems to me you lived your life like a candle in the wind, never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in."
