One of the world's most successful crime writers has made a sensational claim, alleging that Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe was murdered in her California home over six decades ago.
Patterson's Provocative Allegations
James Patterson, the acclaimed author behind global bestsellers like Along Came a Spider, asserts that Monroe's death in August 1962 was not a suicide. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, timed with the release of his new book The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: A True Crime Thriller, Patterson stated the screen legend had stumbled into "very dangerous waters."
He believes Monroe possessed "information that was kind of dangerous" related to her connections with some of America's most powerful figures. "She had these incredible relationships with President Kennedy, and with Robert Kennedy, and with Sinatra, and with Mafia figures," Patterson explained. "They told her stuff, and she kept track of it."
Uncovering New Details and a Staged Scene
Patterson, whose books have sold hundreds of millions of copies, revealed he uncovered disturbing new elements during his research. He was surprised to learn about Monroe's difficult childhood, which included 11 foster homes and a significant stutter she later overcame.
More critically, he points to inconsistencies in the official investigation into her death. Patterson highlighted that the autopsy was "not as complete as it should have been" and that one detective was convinced the death scene had been staged.
Officially, Monroe died from a barbiturate overdose on 4 August 1962 in her Spanish-style, four-bedroom Brentwood home. The death was ruled a probable suicide, with empty pill containers found nearby. Her passing sent shockwaves across the globe.
A Legacy of Conspiracy Theories
Fascination with the circumstances of Monroe's death began almost immediately after her interment at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Over the years, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged, often focusing on her ties to the Kennedy family.
Early theories, promoted by figures like anti-communist campaigner Frank A. Capell, suggested the US government was involved. Author Norman Mailer later brought the idea of murder by the FBI or CIA to mainstream audiences. Other narratives have implicated mob boss Sam Giancana and union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who allegedly sought a diary where Monroe recorded Kennedy secrets.
Prominent biographer Anthony Summers argued the Kennedy family enabled Monroe's substance abuse to silence her. Despite these persistent claims, a 1982 review by the Los Angeles District Attorney found no evidence to support the murder theory, according to Donald Spoto's biography of the star.
Patterson's new claims, from a writer renowned for fictional thrillers, are set to reignite debate over one of Hollywood's most enduring and tragic mysteries.
