David Carradine cause of death returned to the spotlight after reports said Robert Carradine died at 71, with his family stating he took his own life following a prolonged struggle with bipolar disorder. The same reporting framed Robert’s death in a wider family narrative that revisits David’s 2009 death and the disagreement over what happened.
Robert was described as known for roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire and as the youngest son of John Carradine. The reporting said David Carradine, his half-brother, pushed him into acting and that surviving brother Keith Carradine called Robert the “bedrock” of the family while speaking publicly about mental illness and stigma.
On David’s death, the reporting said he was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room, with an account attributed to ABC News describing a cord wrapped around his neck and genitals. A Thai police lieutenant general was quoted as saying two ropes were tied together and it was unclear if it involved suicide, suffocation, or heart failure. Officials believed at the time it may have been autoerotic asphyxiation and later reports described:
- “Multiple autopsies” confirming autoerotic asphyxiation
- Independent autopsies leading to a ruling of accidental asphyxiation
- A forensic review by Dr. Michael Baden disputing suicide and leaving murder vs accident unresolved
The reporting said Robert is survived by three children and three grandchildren and that Lizzie McGuire co-stars posted tributes online.
