Jasmine Thomas
Professor Kashatus
American History 1865-Present
Essay 2
29 April 2014

Conspiracy in U.S. History: Death of Marilyn Monroe

“The only thing we know for sure is that the living legend mysteriously died in her prime, surrounded by mystery, scandal and uncertainty” (Vasilenkov). Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model, and singer who became an icon. She was extremely popular throughout the United States during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Her death is also popular and is still wildly discussed today. The conspiracy theories about her death are also popular because it deals with the subject of potential murder, suicide, and perhaps the government being responsible or in fact trying to cover it up. Conspiracy is a secret plan by a group of some kind or someone to do something wrong or harmful. However, conspiracies are not always threatening, but sometimes are hard to believe. Conspiracy theories are so popular because many people either like the topic of discussion and are paranoid that the government keeps information from the general public. The conspiracy theories of Marilyn Monroe’s death still remain big news after so many years, because there are various things that cannot be explained about how she did die. Her cause of death is said to been an overdose on drugs. However, it has not been entirely ruled out and is still thought that another cause of death is still a possibility. The problem with these theories is the forensic facts usually check out. The conspiracy of her death is U.S. history and widely talked about, but these theories are inconsistent with some of the facts. Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1st ,1926 and died at the age of 36 on August 5, 1962. She was an American actress, and beloved sex symbol. She was also a model and singer. Marilyn starred in a number of motion pictures in the United States. She was a star of Hollywood. Some of her well know movies are, Gentleman Prefer Blondes, and The Seven Year Itch. Marilyn certainly had a large career and was adored. During the years that led up to her death, she starred in Some Like It hot and was nominated for six academy awards. Marilyn’s health began to get worse so she got some help. In that year she began to see a Los Angeles psychiatrist, named Dr. Ralph Greenson. Additionally, during the year 1962 she started to become more engaged in her films. She also started working on a film version of a Broadway musical. Marilyn also newly signed a contract for $1 million dollars with 20 Century Fox. It is said that she”never looked better, and was in great spirits” (Snyder). Her death was coming near and either she had no idea of it, or she did in fact cause it. Her death is reported as an overdose, and ruled as a probable suicide according to her autopsy. Reports stated that she might have taken to many drugs according to what was in her system at the time of her death. The call came from her psychiatrist who spoke with her housekeeper that found her body on the floor in her home. There are many other theories of how her death actually happened though. The conspiracy developed of her death because there was not a great deal of evidence proving that she did try to commit suicide or accidental overdose. Even though that is what the doctor who examined her body ruled out. Marilyn could have in fact been murdered. The detective, Jack Clemmons assigned to her case believed she was murdered, but these chargers were never filed. That information alone is enough to make people wonder about the real cause of her death. This