Jeff Conaway's Family Demands Autopsy

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted May 31st 2011 03:13PM

In order to lay to rest not only the beloved Jeff Conaway but also rumors that "foul play" had any presence in the 'Taxi' star's death, his family has insisted on an autopsy. Conaway's history of substance dependency had many assuming the 60-year-old actor's death was the result of an overdose.

"Jeff's sisters, Michelle and Carla wanted to have the autopsy done to rule out any foul play involving the death," a source told Radar Online. "There is no evidence that there was, but they wanted to be certain."

Conaway's ex-fiancée, Vikki Spinoza, has also been the subject of some suspicion surrounding the actor's death -- Spinoza was banned from visiting Conaway in the hospital during his last days due to a restraining order put in place by his family. During their relationship, Conaway accused Spinoza of injecting him with painkillers at their LA home before intentionally igniting a police bust.

Conaway's sisters are hoping that the autopsy results, which could take up to six weeks to receive, helps them to put a cap on their grieving process.

"Jeff's sisters are aware of his long battle with prescription drugs, and they know that this was the contributing factor in Jeff's death, but at the same time they wanted to set their minds to rest."

Radar reports that Conaway's 'Taxi' co-stars, Tony Danza and Marilu Henner, are helping the family when it comes to the original T-Bird's funeral arrangements.

Tags: jeff conaway

Comments

(104)

Wednesday 01 June

By kris paula

Vote down Vote up Report this

most of you are a bunch of self righteous uncaring "humans"? without a soul!!! who are you to judge someone ? how dare you even begin to know what this man went through physically and emotionally?? people like you nauseate me....always around with your nasty opinions but NEVER around to offer to help someone!!! may God have mercy on all of you.......

By JayDee

Prescription drug abuse is an issue that needs more attention. The FDA approves this crap despite the fact that they know it is highly addictive... Doctors prescibe this crap without any regard for it's side effects and the idiots who take them are doing nothing more than receiving a legal high (in most cases). Plus they leave them laying around their house so their kids can steal them and either use them or sell them. Quite honestly, it simply boils down to a "legal" way to push drugs, yet ironically we want to incarcerate people for smoking a little pot. what's even worse is that if some nit-wit blows his brain out with drugs, the tax-payers have to take care of that idiot. Inbstead of rehab, I say give them all the drugs they want and let them finish themselves off. No different than someone with lung cancer who continues to smoke... you deserve what you get. No wonder our HealthCare system and our Country is going down the tubes. Do what you want, but don't accept responsibility.

By Sally

I think that is a great idea, anyone who watched the show know that she Vikki, greatly enabled him, and was not a positive person for him to be around. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family, may he finally be at rest

By mike

who's in denial here? the user or the family????

By jeff

nobody is saying he didn't take drugs or that they weren't the cause of death. the family wants an autopsy because he lived with a disgusting woman. there was a restraining order against her and she used to inject him with drugs and then call the cops on purpose...at the very least i'd want an autopsy.... and i've got news for ya,... anyone who wouldn't is in denial. people aren't the wonderful creatures you think they are and are capable of much worse than a murder like this. this woman is evil.

By TTkayers

It's from the movie Grease with John Travolta and
Olivia Newton-John

By Susan

Frankly, I was surprised to hear he was still alive. I've seen(and known personally) quite a few people with substance abuse problems, and I don't think I've seen even one with a problem worse than his. Even if his girlfriend DID help him inject or take drugs, if she hadn't, he would have found somebody else who would. I say let him rest in peace. Seems like he deserves it, given the hellish existence he's lived for quite a while.

it doesn't matter id someone else would have injected him or not. that doesn't mean, by a long shot that she should get away with it.she used to inject him and then call the police on purpose...AND there was a restraining order against her...yeah, i'd want an autopsy too. you'd have to have an iq hovering around 70 not to want one.

By Geo

RIP Jeff Conaway. I liked Jeff on Taxi. There are the funny stories that came out later about how he thought he was the star of the show, when in all actuality the Alex Rieger character (played by Judd Hirsch) was clearly the central character and the reason why Hirsch was always first billed. Watching the old reruns a few years ago, you can see Jeff unintentionally mouthing other actors lines in some scenes as well. For me this just added to the show's greatness. Taxi will always be one of the best shows ever made, and Jeff was a big part of why it is so great.

By The one

You talk about people shouldn't judge others, as you do exactly that. Idiot!!!

By dggoesdown

ITS SAD TO SEE FAMILIES GRASPING AT STRAWS WHEN THE KNOW THE REAL REASON...THEY WAITED TOO LONG TO HELP

By ead17

I saw him in a movie with Traci Lords, that was back in what, 1986? He looked like death warmed over back then, this guy was an admitted junkie, he had a serious problem. I'm very sorry for the family, and I think they should get an autopsy, all famous people should have one if they die unnaturally, but they will undoubtedly find he died, like Elvis and millions of others, from drug abuse, and it's consequences.

By Jim Geoghan

What a pointless and hideous thing to do... demand an autopsy of a lifelong drug addict. Humiliate him in death - his life wasn't bad enough? I saw Conaway three weeks before he died. I didn't know what was KEEPING him alive he looked like s**t ! ! !

By Paul P

after an autopsy and criminal investigation the truth will be known. until then your opinions don't mean squat !

By Linda

Jeff was a great person, dealing with his own demons. I knew him personally from the nursing home in 2010 where my husband was. I have photos of him that I took,in which I will cherish. Vikki was the demon. This is heart breaking. RIP Jeff.

By tren555

That's great !
Who care about a Bozo like him ?! Not me !
If a drug user dies, thats great ! Un Idiot less !
Great news !

By paulie

Supposedly it was an OD that put him into the hospital. So if she was involved in that much of it, it led to his death. A tough thing to ask as family but they should have answers.

Friday 03 June

By Mary

Rest in Peace Jeff.

By ozzy666

r.i.p jeff yoyr demons are now gone, u were a great actor and its said u went through hell for ten years. god bless u.

By TIM

If the family had really cared about him they would have demanded he get help instead of going ion a fake reality tv show.
Too late. Now they have the nerve to demand an autopsy.

Page 5 of 6