Med Examiner: David Carradine Died of Asphyxiation

July 2, 2009

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Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden was hired by the Carradine family to complete an independent autopsy after the Kill Bill star was discovered hanging in a closet in a hotel room in Bangkok on June 4. His body was found nude, with ropes around his neck, wrist and genitals, fueling speculation that he died during the sex practice called auto-erotic asphyxiation.

"The cause of death was asphyxiation," Baden announced. "Now why that happened is still what we're working on. He didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death."

One of the main reasons for ruling out suicide is the peculiar way in which David's hands were tied above his head.

The possibility of a third party's involvement still lingers, so Baden, who also hosts HBO's Autopsy series, is requesting data from the hotel's pass keys, as well as footage from security cameras. Though the process is taking longer than many would hope, Baden says it's all part of the routine.

"It takes time to finish a case sometimes," he says. "It's not unexpected."

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