Marilyn Monroe is making headlines again as people revisit her life and death following the release of Netflix's drama Blonde, starring Ana de Armas. Her Hollywood mortician Allan Abbot spoke about how she looked when her body was recovered, and she was reportedly shockingly covered with bruises.
Marilyn Monroe Was Unrecognizable When She Died
The 36-year-old American actress was found lifeless, naked and face down in bed holding a phone with an empty pill bottle next to her on Aug. 5, 1962. In Abbott's tell-all, he dished about his work as a celebrity undertaker.
According to him, Monroe's corpse was "awful" and "unrecognizable." She allegedly suffered from saggy breasts, frizzy and badly dyed hair and her face was covered with ugly bruises when she lay on his embalming table, Radar Online reported.
"When we removed the sheet covering her, it was almost impossible to believe this was the body of Marilyn Monroe," Abbott said, whose firm also handled Natalie Wood's funeral. "She looked like a very average, aging woman who had not been taking very good care of herself."
Aside from the purple blotches on her face due to lividity, settling and discoloration of blood, her neck was "immensely swollen" and had to be reduced by surgery for burial. Her platinum hair was reportedly brown at the roots.
"You could tell she had not bleached it for some time, because the roots were darker and had grown out about half an inch," he added.
"Her natural hair color was a light brown. Her legs hadn't been shaved for at least a week, and her lips were badly chapped. She was also in need of a manicure and pedicure."
Her saggy breasts were also noticeable. The actress, known as the sex pot, reportedly used fake boobs, which were found in the death house.
The wife of the manager reportedly had to shove cotton into Monroe's bra to make her look "most like herself."
Marilyn Monroe's Cause Of Death And Conspiracy Theories
Marilyn Monroe rose to stardom during her short time in the spotlight. While she easily won the hearts of millions, she was reportedly struggling behind the scenes.
In 1961, she spent time in a psychiatric clinic, and it had a "very bad effect" on her. Her death is still shrouded in mystery. Her cause of death was acute barbiturate poisoning overdose and "probably suicide."
According to the toxicologist, she ingested a lethal dose of Nembutal, a drug that is used to treat anxiety and a large dose of chloral hydrate, a drug used as a sedative, People reported.
She was under the constant care of a doctor and psychiatrist, who prescribed her numerous medications for her mental health. While the cause of death was ruled an overdose, there were conspiracy theories that foul play was involved as there were rumors she had an affair with both President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Some suggested the CIA was involved in her death. Others questioned why it took hours before her body was turned over to medical examiners.
The controversy surrounding Monroe's death was so intense that the Los Angeles Police Department re-opened the case two decades after her passing.
Journalist Anthony Summer conducted his investigation, which resulted in 650 tape-recorded interviews.
"There is no good evidence she was murdered," Summers told People. "I think it's more likely—whether as a cry for help or intending suicide—she took too many pills."
Stay tuned for more news and updates about Marilyn Monroe, her death and the conspiracy theories surrounding her passing.
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