More than six decades after the sudden death of Marilyn Monroe, the doctor who carried out her autopsy has spoken publicly with a claim that reopens one of Hollywood’s darkest mysteries. Monroe, the world’s most recognizable blonde bombshell of the 1950s and early 1960s, was only 36 when she was discovered lifeless in her Los Angeles home in 1962. Her passing was ruled a suicide, but questions have never fully faded. Now, Thomas Noguchi, the young deputy coroner who examined her body at the time, has admitted that details from Marilyn Monroe’s autopsy still trouble him today, suggesting the possibility that the truth about her final hours may not have been told.
Who Was Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, became one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons. Known for her platinum blonde hair, red lipstick, and sultry voice, she transformed from a foster child into an international star. She appeared in over 30 films, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot, and The Seven Year Itch. Her films grossed the equivalent of billions worldwide today, cementing her as one of the most bankable stars of her time.
The Events Leading Up To Her Death
In the weeks before her passing, Monroe was reportedly struggling with insomnia, depression, and professional setbacks. She had been fired and rehired on film projects. She was rumored to be entangled in complicated personal relationships, including alleged affairs with President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert. On the night of her death, police records state that multiple pill bottles.
Marilyn Monroe’s Autopsy That Raised Questions
Thomas Noguchi, then a relatively new deputy coroner in Los Angeles County, was assigned to conduct Marilyn Monroe’s Autopsy. According to his later accounts as reported in his book L.A. Coroner, he immediately noticed several inconsistencies. Although toxicology results revealed lethal levels of Nembutal and chloral hydrate in her system, Noguchi did not find evidence of undigested pills in her stomach or intestines. This absence raised the possibility that the drugs may not have been ingested orally.
Missing Tests and Lost Samples

Noguchi collected various organ and tissue samples for further analysis, but says those tests were prematurely halted by the toxicologist once fatal levels of drugs were identified. However, he later discovered that additional testing was halted by the toxicologist, who determined that the fatal levels already found were sufficient to conclude suicide. Crucially, the remaining samples were disposed of before further testing. This decision, Noguchi has said, left him deeply uneasy.
His Allegation Six Decades Later
Now at 98 years old, Noguchi has spoken candidly about his suspicions. He suggested that the failure to conduct complete toxicological testing created a permanent gap in understanding the actual cause of Monroe’s death. Noguchi has since reflected that, without full toxicological data, alternative causes such as injection could not be ruled out – a detail first noted in L.A. Coroner, and recently resurfaced in LADbible’s coverage. While he stops short of definitively claiming Monroe was murdered, he later expressed that institutional dynamics may have discouraged deeper inquiry into alternative causes of death.
Read More: People Shocked After Learning Which Body Part Is Always Removed During An Autopsy
A Life Surrounded By Rumors
The absence of conclusive forensic results has fueled decades of speculation. Some theories suggest Monroe was silenced due to her alleged relationships with influential figures. Others point to her fragile mental health and history of substance abuse as indicators of suicide. Noguchi’s revelation that he questioned whether he was part of an unintentional “cover-up” only adds to the cloud of mystery that continues to surround her death.
Interesting Family Facts

Marilyn Monroe’s family history was as turbulent as her public life. Her mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, suffered from severe mental illness and spent much of her life institutionalized. Monroe never knew her father and spent much of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages. Despite this instability, she developed a strong will to succeed. Few know that she had a half-sister, Berniece Baker Miracle, who survived her and published a memoir about their relationship.
Marilyn’s Enduring Legacy
Beyond the scandal and speculation, Monroe’s cultural impact cannot be overstated. She helped redefine Hollywood’s image of femininity, balancing innocence with sensuality. Her rendition of “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy in 1962 remains one of American history’s most infamous pop culture moments. Despite her struggles, she left behind a body of work that continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations.
Why Her Death Still Matters
The lingering doubts over Monroe’s death remind us of the fragile nature of celebrity privacy and power in mid-20th-century America. Whether she died by her own hand or through foul play, the lack of a thorough and conclusive investigation has ensured that speculation will never cease; some people today even believe she’s still alive. Noguchi’s words, six decades later, reopen wounds that never truly healed, reminding the world that the truth may remain forever out of reach.
Marilyn Monroe’s Life Was a Contrast Study
Adored worldwide yet lonely, successful yet insecure, powerful yet vulnerable. The doubts raised by Thomas Noguchi after 60 years prove how lasting her story is, both as a cautionary tale and as an emblem of Hollywood’s golden age. Until conclusive evidence emerges, Monroe’s death will remain one of the most haunting mysteries of modern celebrity culture.
A.I. Disclaimer: This article was created with AI assistance and edited by a human for accuracy and clarity.
Read More: ‘The Most Beautiful Suicide’: The Life and Death of Evelyn McHale
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