David Carradine Passes Away - June 3, 2009

Rumors swirled when David Carradine was found dead in his hotel room...first it was suicide which was unbelievable according to those close to him, then accidental death (by auto-erotic asphyxiation) or murder. I'm thinking if the rumors are true, it is the second one which is a really sad way for a well-known, long-time actor to be remembered.

Reports are saying that he was not alone in his hotel room at the time of his death but who was with him has been withheld. True? Don't know.

According to Wikipedia:

"Erotic asphyxiation refers to intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. It is also called asphyxiophilia, autoerotic asphyxia, scarfing, kotzwarraism, or breath control play. Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a gasper. The erotic interest in asphyxiation is classified as a paraphilia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. Psychiatrist Joseph Merlino stated that it meets the criteria for a disorder "because it has the potential for lethality or serious injury."

You might remember, Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS, was also rumored to have died this way.

My thoughts go out to David Carradine's family regardless of the final report on how he passed away. With over 100 feature films behind him, he should be remembered for his lifetime of work, not his last day.