Marilyn Monroe Was 'Facing Serious Risks' Before Death: 'You'd Be Surprised'

Bestselling mystery novelist James Patterson has sparked renewed discussion over the circumstances surrounding Marilyn Monroes death, highlighting her connections with prominent figures. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Friday, November 21, Patterson, 78, remarked, She was navigating very risky territory. She had close ties with President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, and even members of organized crime. She learned things she probably shouldnt have, and that made her position precarious.

Patterson, who co-wrote The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: A True Crime Thrillerdescribed as both a true crime account and a fictionalized narrativeexplores Monroes career and personal life. The Hollywood icon, known for films such as Some Like It Hot and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, passed away at the age of 36.

On August 5, 1962, Monroe was discovered deceased in her Brentwood, California residence. Her death was officially classified as a probable suicide due to a lethal combination of sedative medications. However, in 2025, the coroner responsible for her autopsy indicated that the investigation had not been conducted thoroughly, prompting renewed scrutiny about what truly happened.

Patterson emphasized that much of Monroes story has been misunderstood. She was a monumental star, but many aspects of her life are overlooked or misrepresented, he said. Even I wasnt fully aware of the detailslike the state of the death scene, incomplete autopsy, or that one detective believed it might have been staged.

He added, Many people think they know her story, but the reality is far more complex and surprising.

Author: Sophia Brooks