Category: Entertainment | Title: What Did David Carradine Die Of | Tag: David Carradine | Meta Description: Facts about David Carradine's cause of death, timeline, and public records...
Cause of Death and Final Circumstances
David Carradine died on June 3, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand. The official cause of death was asphyxiation by hanging, with the Thai forensic report listing it as suicide. The Los Angeles County Coroner later noted autoerotic asphyxiation as a likely contributing factor, a detail reported by the Associated Press and other outlets. Forbes reported on the initial findings. The New York Times covered the coroner's review.
The death occurred in a hotel room in the Nai Lert Park area of Bangkok. Thai police initially treated the case as a suicide, and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok assisted with consular notifications. The Carradine family later hired independent forensic experts to review the evidence, as noted in court filings and media coverage. The final Thai autopsy report and U.S. consular records confirmed the same core findings.
Background and Career Context
David Carradine was born on December 8, 1936, in Hollywood, California. He was best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the television series Kung Fu, which aired from 1972 to 1975 and earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He continued acting in film and television for decades, with credits spanning martial arts movies, westerns, and independent productions.
At the time of his death, Carradine had recently completed work on several film projects, including Detention and Autumn Eyes. His career included more than 100 film and television credits, according to the Internet Movie Database. He was also a martial artist and instructor, with training in multiple disciplines that informed his on-screen roles.
Legal and Family Aftermath
Carradine's wife, Annie Bierman, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the production company and hotel operators. The lawsuit cited negligence and wrongful death claims, seeking damages related to the circumstances of his death in Bangkok. Court records show the case was eventually settled, though the terms were not disclosed publicly.
The Carradine estate and family members issued statements through their legal representatives, emphasizing the need for clarity on the hotel's safety protocols. The case drew attention to liability standards for foreign production shoots and hotel accommodations for entertainment crews. SEC filings related to hospitality companies were not directly involved, but the case is cited in legal analyses of overseas production risk.