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Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most recognizable and influential figures in Hollywood history, more than six decades after her death. The actress, model, and eventually cultural icon was found dead in her Brentwood, California, home on Aug. 5, 1962, at the age of 36. 

Paul Holes Investigating Marilyn Monroe Death

The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled her death a probable suicide caused by acute barbiturate poisoning, but questions surrounding her final hours have persisted ever since.

Retired cold case investigator Paul Holes, known for helping identify the Golden State Killer, says the original investigation was flawed. And it contains numerous inconsistencies that deserve renewed scrutiny.

Holes shared his findings while appearing in the new FOX special Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe, which uses artificial intelligence to digitally reconstruct Monroe's bedroom and examine the evidence from one of Hollywood's most debated deaths.

While he stops short of declaring Monroe was murdered, Holes argues that the physical evidence and investigative shortcomings raise important unanswered questions.

From Norma Jean to Marilyn Monroe: An Enduring Icon

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, Marilyn Monroe overcame an extraordinarily difficult childhood spent in foster homes and orphanages before becoming one of the world's biggest movie stars.

During the 1950s, Monroe transformed into Hollywood's definitive blonde bombshell while also demonstrating impressive comedic timing and dramatic acting ability. Her image became synonymous with classic American cinema, and she remains one of the most photographed celebrities in history.

Although Monroe died at just 36 years old, her influence on film, fashion, photography, and popular culture continues to resonate worldwide. Her movies have generated hundreds of millions of dollars over the decades and remain widely viewed today.

Marilyn Monroe Starred in Many Movies

Monroe starred in numerous successful films throughout her career, including:

• Ladies of the Chorus (1948)
• The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
• All About Eve (1950)
• Love Nest (1951)
• Let's Make It Legal (1951)
• Clash by Night (1952)
• We're Not Married! (1952)
• Monkey Business (1952)
• Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
• Niagara (1953)
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
• How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
• River of No Return (1954)
• There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
• The Seven Year Itch (1955)
• Bus Stop (1956)
• The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)
• Some Like It Hot (1959)
• Let's Make Love (1960)
• The Misfits (1961)

She was also filming Something's Got to Give in 1962 before production was halted following her death.

Paul Holes Points to Crime Scene Inconsistencies

According to Holes, one of the biggest problems with Monroe's death investigation is the lack of proper crime scene documentation.

He noted that only a handful of photographs exist from the bedroom where Monroe was found, making it difficult for modern investigators to fully evaluate the evidence.

"The first red flag," Holes explained, "was the lack of documentation."

Based on the available photographs, he believes Monroe's bedroom appeared unusually neat for what investigators described as a fatal drug overdose.

Drawing on decades of homicide investigation experience, Holes said overdose scenes frequently involve physical distress that often leaves evidence throughout the room. Monroe's bedroom, however, appeared almost perfectly arranged.

He also questioned Monroe's position in bed, suggesting it did not resemble what he would typically expect to see in a fatal overdose case.

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Marilyn Monroe Death Evidence Suspiciously Organized 

Another detail that caught Holes' attention involved the medication bottles recovered beside Monroe's bed.

Authorities reported finding an empty prescription bottle that had contained approximately 50 capsules of the powerful sedative Nembutal. According to Holes, the bottle was sitting upright on the nightstand with its label facing outward and the cap replaced.

He questioned whether someone who had allegedly consumed dozens of capsules in rapid succession would carefully organize the medication afterward.

Investigators also noted there was no drinking glass beside the bed, despite reports that Monroe swallowed a large quantity of pills. Toxicology testing found lethal amounts of Nembutal and chloral hydrate in her body. Holes further noted that Monroe's physician reportedly acknowledged prescribing only the Nembutal, raising questions about the source of the chloral hydrate.

Questions That Remain Unanswered

Holes believes additional investigative concerns extend beyond the physical evidence.

Among them are reports that Monroe's telephone records from the night disappeared and that her housekeeper's account of events changed multiple times during the investigation.

He also questioned why investigators appeared to accept a suicide conclusion without conducting what today would be considered a comprehensive homicide investigation.

According to Holes, the shortcomings were significant enough that they continue fueling debate more than 60 years later.

Allegations of a Possible Cover-Up

One of Holes' more controversial observations involves whether influential individuals may have discouraged investigators from examining alternative explanations.

He suggested it is difficult to understand why such an experienced police department would leave so many investigative gaps in a case involving one of the world's most famous celebrities.

However, it is important to note that no official investigation has ever concluded Monroe was murdered.

In 1982, the Los Angeles County District Attorney reviewed the case after years of public speculation and determined there was no credible evidence to justify opening a homicide investigation. The office did not dispute the original coroner's finding of probable suicide.

The Marilyn Monroe-Kennedy Connection

The FOX special also revisits longstanding claims regarding Monroe's reported relationships with President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

Holes speculates that if Monroe had been exposed to sensitive government information, additional classified FBI records could potentially shed light on her final days.

He has encouraged continued efforts through the Freedom of Information Act to obtain any remaining government records that may still be withheld.

While Monroe's relationships with prominent political figures have fueled countless books, documentaries, and conspiracy theories, no publicly released evidence has definitively established that her death resulted from foul play.

A Mystery That Refuses to Fade

More than six decades after Marilyn Monroe's death, investigators, historians, and fans continue to debate what really happened inside her Brentwood home.

Paul Holes' latest examination does not solve the mystery, but it highlights investigative deficiencies that continue to generate questions. Whether future document releases or previously undisclosed evidence will ever change the official conclusion remains uncertain.

For now, Monroe's death remains officially classified as a probable suicide, even as renewed interest and modern forensic analysis keep one of Hollywood's greatest mysteries alive.

Relevant Links

• FBI Records on Marilyn Monroe: FBI Vault – Marilyn Monroe
• Freedom of Information Act: U.S. FOIA Information
• FOX's Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe: FOX Entertainment
• The Marilyn Monroe Collection