Was Marilyn Monroe Murdered? Unpacking the Conspiracy Theories

When Marilyn Monroe died on Aug. 4, 1962, countless conspiracy theories were born.

The Los Angeles County Coroner identified the 36-year-old woman, born Norma Jeane Baker on June 1, 1926, as having died from a high dose of barbiturates. Her death was likely a suicide.

Honestly, that official explanation? It always felt wrong. I, like so many others, just couldn’t shake the feeling that something far more terrible happened to her, something they weren’t telling us. It just didn’t add up, and it still haunts me to this day.

In a July interview with Life magazine, published just before her death, Marilyn Monroe shared that she had gained valuable life lessons she wouldn’t exchange for anything. She also expressed a strong desire to spare any future child the hardships she had faced.

The star of Some Like It Hot shared, “I hope that through my work, I can help people understand some of the lessons I’ve learned. It might be a long shot, but I’m allowed to have hopes and dreams.”

It was well known that Marilyn Monroe was facing personal difficulties. She had a public history of struggling with substance abuse and depression, and in June, she was let go from the movie Something’s Got to Give due to frequent absences, according to 20th Century Fox.

Despite the nearly 64 years that have passed, every detail of her final weeks and months has been closely examined, searching for any sign of wrongdoing.

In a November interview with The Hollywood Reporter, author James Patterson, whose book The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe is scheduled for release in 2025, revealed he’d learned details about the circumstances surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death – including concerns about an incomplete autopsy and one detective’s belief that the scene had been manipulated. Although the book is marketed as “A True Crime Thriller,” a disclaimer clarifies that it is ultimately a work of fiction.

Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 novel Blonde, recently adapted into a 2022 film starring Ana de Armas, is presented as a fictionalized account, not a biography. However, the book’s ending depicts a sinister scenario: Marilyn Monroe appears to overdose, but someone then enters her home and gives her a lethal injection of Nembutal, carefully removing any evidence linking them to the act.

In 2022, author Joyce Carol Oates suggested the character’s death scene could be interpreted as a hallucination. However, she also wanted to allow for other explanations, such as the possibility—though not necessarily likelihood—that the character was actually assassinated, perhaps in a different reality.

The rumors of Marilyn Monroe’s relationships with President John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy were a constant, unspoken presence in Joyce Carol Oates’ writing about her, but exactly how involved they were remains largely based on speculation and unconfirmed stories.

Although no Kennedy family member has ever publicly discussed Marilyn Monroe, author J. Randy Taraborrelli wrote in his 2023 book, Jackie: Public, Private, Secret, that Jacqueline Kennedy received a phone call from the actress at their home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, in April 1962.

According to Taraborrelli, she believed Marilyn Monroe was incredibly fragile and easily hurt, making her a likely target for President Kennedy’s manipulation.

According to Monroe’s friend, Arthur James, her death wasn’t due to anything sinister, but simply heartbreak caused by her relationships with the Kennedy brothers.

According to James, in a 2022 Netflix documentary featuring previously unheard recordings, Marilyn Monroe was deeply upset when she was explicitly told to never contact either Robert or John Kennedy again. He claimed this instruction – delivered by Robert Kennedy, not John – was a direct order and ultimately contributed to her death.

Despite ongoing speculation, the official investigation in 1982 concluded that the biggest unanswered question surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death was whether it was a suicide.

Early in the morning on August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe’s housekeeper, Eunice Murray, became concerned when she noticed a light was still on in Monroe’s locked bedroom around 3:30 a.m. Seeing Monroe lying in bed through a window, Murray immediately called Monroe’s psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, who said he would come over and also contact Monroe’s physician, Dr. Hyman Engelberg.

I was shocked to learn that early one morning, around 4:25 a.m., a call came in reporting a tragic loss. It seems someone – Engelberg – contacted the police from Monroe’s home to share the devastating news that she had passed away. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.

There was an empty Nembutal bottle on the floor and, according to police, no suicide note.

According to Greenson, as detailed in Summers’ 1985 biography Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn was holding her phone tightly in her right hand, likely attempting to call someone before she became incapacitated.

She had no way of knowing that people would be even more fascinated with her after she died than they were when she was alive.

You know, I’ve always thought Marilyn Monroe had such a brilliant way of looking at things. She once described fame to Life magazine as being like caviar – a real treat! But she pointed out, and I completely agree, that even the most luxurious things lose their appeal if you have them constantly. A little bit is wonderful, but every day? It just wouldn’t be the same.

On what would have been her 100th birthday, see more of Monroe’s life in photos:

Marilyn Monroe’s white halter dress is one of the most recognizable outfits in history. Designer William Travilla understood that the costume for Seven Year Itch needed to be spectacular, especially for the famous scene where a gust of air from a subway vent blew the pleated skirt up, and she playfully held it down.

The dress was held together by a ribbon tied around Marilyn’s waist, and the skirt flowed beautifully in the breeze. Her look was completed by large white earrings, perfectly styled curls, and a striking red lip. Although the scene had a playful feel, Marilyn was careful to maintain her image and wore two pairs of white underwear to ensure modesty, according to The New York Times.

Marilyn Monroe caused a sensation at Madison Square Garden in May 1962 when she celebrated John F. Kennedy’s birthday. She initially appeared on stage wearing a white mink coat, which she dramatically removed to reveal a stunning, shimmering gown that appeared to be almost nude. As she seductively sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President,” the audience was captivated.

As a style expert, I’ve always been fascinated by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic looks, and this one is truly unforgettable. Designer Jean Louis created a remarkably daring piece for her – a dress made from incredibly delicate fabric and adorned with sparkling rhinestones, meant to catch every light. According to Christopher Nickens and George Zeno, authors of Marilyn in Fashion, she famously wore absolutely nothing underneath – it was a completely unlined creation!

In May 2022, Kim Kardashian sparked debate when she wore a historically significant dress to the Met Gala. The dress was borrowed from the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.

As a lifelong Marilyn fan, I always knew that iconic pink dress from “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” was special, but I was shocked to learn what her original costume was supposed to be! Apparently, it was a diamond-studded bustier and matching underwear – pretty daring for the time! Thankfully, the studio asked designer William Travilla to create something a little more… restrained. And thank goodness he did! That hot pink gown became just as famous as the scene itself, and it’s a true movie legend. I’ve read all about it in “Marilyn in Fashion,” and it’s amazing how much thought went into her look.

The dress was made of shimmering satin, complementing the many diamonds Marilyn Monroe wore in the movie. A large bow, with a black velvet lining, added a dramatic touch to the back. Long opera gloves and sparkling open-toe heels completed the glamorous look.

In 1985, Madonna cemented her status as a superstar by recreating iconic elements of Marilyn Monroe – including the look and feel of a musical number – in her “Material Girl” music video.

Marilyn Monroe wore this shimmering gold dress on several occasions, but it’s best remembered from a famous series of photographs. Designed by William Travilla, the dress featured a beautifully pleated fabric and a low-cut, halter-style neckline that caught the light with every move.

According to Christopher Nickens and George Zeno, the dress was so fitted that the actress had to be sewn into it—it was made from a single, unbroken piece of fabric.

In 1962, the famous actress gracefully walked across the stage at the Golden Globes to accept the Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite Female. This was Marilyn’s first big Hollywood appearance after a few years of relative seclusion, and she made a stunning impression in a glittering emerald green gown.

Designed by Norman Norell, this figure-hugging dress was completely covered in sequins and had a unique armhole design. Marilyn Monroe famously wore it with the armhole openings facing outwards, unintentionally transforming the original boatneck neckline into a V-neck.

Kim wore the famous floor-length gown again in May, shortly after the 2022 Met Gala, reminding everyone of the stunning dress.

The famous actress captivated American soldiers in Korea with her stunning entrance. She wore a shimmering, purple dress covered in delicate, winding sequins. According to the book Marilyn in Fashion, she later said it was the moment she first felt like a true star.

Marilyn and her husband, Joe DiMaggio, were honeymooning when she entertained soldiers. She adored a particular dress and requested that designer Ceil Chapman create a black version for her.

I’ll never forget seeing her as Rose in Niagara! She was absolutely mesmerizing as that classic femme fatale. Everyone talks about the bright magenta dress with the keyhole, and it is iconic, but honestly, it was a different, fiery red look she wore that really took my breath away. It was a moment that stayed with me long after I left the theater.

Marilyn looked unforgettable in a striking outfit: a bold, wide-sleeved wool jacket, a low-cut white blouse, and a classic black pencil skirt. As she walked away from the camera, swaying her hips, the visual impact was stunning.

Marilyn turned heads at the premiere of How to Marry a Millionaire wearing a stunning white dress designed by William Travilla. The delicate white lace was covered in shimmering sequins and stood out beautifully against the nude-colored fabric underneath.

She looked incredibly glamorous with an ivory sash and, like Marilyn Monroe, she didn’t hold back on accessories – a fur shawl, long satin gloves, and sparkling diamond earrings completed the look. Madonna echoed this style in 1991, wearing a similar outfit to the Oscars as a tribute to the iconic actress.

Marilyn Monroe famously posed for publicity photos wearing a simple, sack-like dress. The story goes that a critic had previously called her outfit to a party “cheap and vulgar,” suggesting she’d have looked better in a potato sack – a comment that seemingly inspired the photos.

Many believe the studio used the scandal surrounding Marilyn Monroe to draw attention to her iconic dress. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the real reason behind the outfit was simply a marketing ploy by Twentieth Century Fox to promote their new star. They seemingly wanted to suggest she was so stunning, she could make even something plain look glamorous.

While Marilyn Monroe’s white dress in The Seven Year Itch is famous, her shimmering, sheer dress from Some Like It Hot is actually her most daring movie outfit.

Costume designer Orry-Kelly described Marilyn Monroe’s iconic silver dress as being made of a shimmering, subtly-beaded fabric cut on the bias to flatter her figure. According to the book Marilyn in Fashion, the dress was so sheer over the breasts that it didn’t fully cover her nipples, requiring director Billy Wilder to use special lighting to discreetly conceal the area.

The dress has a modest front, but the back is dramatically open, giving the impression she intentionally left it partially unzipped. A heart-shaped cutout on the back adds a playful and flirtatious touch, like a fun twist on the expression ‘wearing your heart on your sleeve’.

Before Marilyn Monroe became famous for her iconic nude dress, she actually wore a design by Jean Louis in one of her first films, Ladies of the Chorus. During a playful performance of “Every Baby Needs a Da-da-daddy,” she wore a glamorous, shimmering black chiffon gown that perfectly matched the song’s mood.

The evening gown had a see-through bodice with a low-cut neckline and long sleeves covered in diamond-shaped sequins. Sequins were arranged in vertical lines down the skirt, stopping at the high thigh slit.

2026-06-01 10:19

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