A private forensic pathologist hired by David Carradine's family said that a second autopsy has determined the actor died from asphyxia ... but it has become clear he did not commit suicide.
"The cause of death was asphyxiation, an inability to breathe," Dr. Michael Baden said, according to Reuters. "Now why that happened is still what we're working on."
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He also found that since Carradine had been found with his hands tied behind his back, "he didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death."
However, Baden said he can't yet determine for sure whether the actor's death was accidental or a homicide. He perfomed the autopsy on Carradine's body after it was flown back to the United States. The 'Kill Bill' star was buried on June 13 in LA.
Speculation about the actor's death has swirled since a chambermaid at the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok discovered his body hanging in the closet of his room June 4.
Thai police initially said they suspected Carradine's death was a suicide, but later conceded it could have been accidental. Their description ? that the actor's body was found nude, with ropes around his neck, wrist and genitals ? fueled speculation that he was killed while engaging in a dangerous sex practice called autoerotic asphyxiation.
Baden said autoerotic asphyxiation remains a possible cause of death.
Some of Carradine's friends have said they suspect foul play in his death. His brothers, Keith and Robert, have urged patience until all information is available and promised to release the results of Baden's inquiry.
