Cold-case detective Paul Holes, renowned for his role in identifying the Golden State Killer, is now casting doubt on the official narrative surrounding Marilyn Monroe's death. In a new Fox show, TMZ's Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe, Holes points to significant inconsistencies in the 1962 investigation.
Lack of documentation raises questions
Monroe, the iconic screen goddess, was found dead in her Los Angeles home on August 4, 1962, from a drug overdose ruled a probable suicide. However, Holes told Fox News, "I think a lot of the questions about her death really come down to how poorly her death scene was documented and processed by investigating authorities back in 1962, leaving questions unanswered that could have been answered if they had done things properly."
On the night of her death, Monroe had locked herself in her bedroom. Her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, called Monroe's doctor, who broke in and found her naked and dead. A telephone receiver dangled from her hand, and an empty pill bottle sat on the nightstand. There was no suicide note.
Inconsistencies at the scene
Holes noted that only one photograph of the death scene exists, and it shows the sheets "clean and perfect," with Monroe "arranged on the bed in such a way that it doesn't look like an overdose." He also pointed out that the pill bottles were "perfectly arranged" with labels facing out, calling this an "inconsistency."
"Anytime you see an inconsistency, you have to stop and start questioning, 'Am I seeing things the right way or is there something more going on here?'" Holes added.
Medical evidence questioned
Monroe had mental-health issues and insomnia. Two days before her death, she had filled a prescription for Nembutal, a fast-acting drug used in euthanasia. The bottle was empty, but Holes noted, "She doesn't have these capsules or evidence of these capsules in her stomach." The district attorney's office ruled the drugs had time to be absorbed.
Holes also questioned whether Monroe was receiving appropriate care, as she had prescriptions from both her doctor and psychiatrist. The housekeeper waited more than an hour before calling police, another red flag.
Previous investigations and FBI files
In 1982, the DA's office reviewed the case and found insufficient evidence of foul play. However, Holes believes the LAPD may have been influenced to look the other way. "It seems like there's possibly some influence to cause them to look the other way and just write this thing off and make the assumption it's suicide," he said.
Monroe had reportedly had affairs with President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and FBI files on her remain heavily redacted. The feds feared pillow talk between Monroe and the Kennedys, though no evidence has surfaced to confirm conspiracy theories.
