Jul 3, 2009 12:00 pm US/Pacific
Asphyxia Likely Killed David Carradine
Private Pathologist Waiting for Results from Toxicology Tests, Surveillance Footage
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
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Actor David Carradine arrives at the premiere of The Weinstein Company's "Hell Ride" held at the Egyptian Theater on July 31, 2008, in Los Angeles, Calif..
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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(L to R) Daryl Hannah, Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman and David Carradine pose during a photo call for the film "Kill Bill 2" on May 16, 2004, at the Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera town.
Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
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Actor David Carradine attends the Miramax Feature film premiere of "Kill Bill 2" at the Arclight's Cinerama Dome April 8, 2004, in Hollywood, Calif.
Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
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David Carradine and family participate in the 76th annual Hollywood Santa Parade on Nov. 30, 2008, in Hollywood, Calif.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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Legendary Swedish director Ingmar Bergman (R) shown in a photo dated Nov. 22, 1976, poses with Scandinavian actress Liv Ullmann (2ndR), David Carradine and film producer Dino Di Laurentie in Stockholm.
STF/AFP/Getty Images
The private pathologist who conducted a second autopsy on David Carradine's body said Friday that Thai authorities have determined the actor died of asphyxia and so far, he agrees.
"Thus far, the information we have gathered is consistent with that," Dr. Michael Baden said. But he noted that is waiting for key details from Thai authorities.
Those include results from toxicology tests, an analysis of items found in Carradine's room, security surveillance footage and a log of room entries from the hotel's key card system.
The famed New York pathologist said he cannot yet determine whether Carradine's death was accidental or a homicide.
Baden performed a second autopsy on Carradine's body after it was returned to the United States. The actor was buried on June 13 in Los Angeles.
His immediate conclusion was that the "Kill Bill" actor didn't die of suicide.
Thai police initially said they suspected Carradine's death was a suicide, but later conceded it could have been accidental. Their description - that the actor's body was found nude, with ropes around his neck, wrist and genitals - fueled speculation that he was killed while engaging in a dangerous sex practice called autoerotic asphyxiation.
Baden said autoerotic asphyxiation remains a possible cause of death.
Some of Carradine's friends have said they suspect foul play in his death. His brothers, Keith and Robert, have urged patience until all information is available and promised to release the results of Baden's inquiry.
Baden said he is waiting to talk to a pathologist in Thailand about some of the missing details he needs.
"When we've spoken to them, they've been very cooperative," he said. He noted they have already received crime scene photographs.
Baden has said the autopsy would be only part of his analysis.
Speculation about the actor's death has swirled since a chambermaid at the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok discovered his body hanging in the closet of his room June 4. A Thai newspaper published a graphic photo of the death scene that police have said appears to be a leaked forensics image.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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