The Tragic Final Hours: When Did Marilyn Monroe Die And The 5 Enduring Mysteries Of Her Death

The question of when did Marilyn Monroe die remains one of the most poignant and debated topics in Hollywood history, a tragic end that continues to overshadow her dazzling career. As of today, December 18, 2025, over six decades have passed since the world lost its most iconic sex symbol, yet the official ruling of probable suicide is still fiercely challenged by a myriad of conspiracy theories.

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was found dead in her Brentwood, Los Angeles home on the morning of August 5, 1962, though her death is believed to have occurred late on the evening of August 4. Her passing at the age of 36 was a seismic event, leaving behind a legacy of glamour, vulnerability, and an enduring mystery surrounding her final hours.

Marilyn Monroe: Complete Biographical Profile

Marilyn Monroe's life was a complex journey from a difficult childhood to global superstardom. Her biography is essential context for understanding the pressures she faced in her final years.

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• Real Name: Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Norma Jeane Baker).
• Born: June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California.
• Died: August 4, 1962 (Found August 5, 1962), at age 36.
• Location of Death: 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California.
• Official Cause of Death: Acute barbiturate poisoning, ruled probable suicide.
• Occupations: Actress, model, singer.
• Key Films: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Misfits (1961).
• Husbands (3):
  • James Dougherty (m. 1942; div. 1946)
  • Joe DiMaggio (m. 1954; div. 1954)
  • Arthur Miller (m. 1956; div. 1961)

The Official Timeline: Acute Barbiturate Poisoning

The accepted narrative of Marilyn Monroe's death centers on a lethal overdose of prescription sedatives. The details, however, contain inconsistencies that fuel ongoing speculation.

The Discovery and Medical Examiner's Report

Marilyn Monroe was found unresponsive in her bed by her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, who called Monroe's psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, around 3:30 AM on August 5, 1962.

The police were called later, and her body was officially pronounced dead at the scene.

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The medical examiner, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, performed the autopsy.

He determined the cause of death was "acute barbiturate poisoning" due to an overdose of the sedative drugs Nembutal and chloral hydrate.

Empty and partially empty prescription bottles were found near her bed, and the death was officially ruled a "probable suicide" due to a history of depression and previous overdoses.

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The Final Hours: A Confusing Sequence of Events

The timeline of August 4, 1962, is highly scrutinized because the accounts of the last people who spoke to her are contradictory, which is a key element in the enduring mystery.

• Afternoon: Monroe was reportedly seen by her publicist and her psychiatrist, Dr. Greenson.
• Evening (Around 9:30 PM): She received a phone call from her rumored lover, Mexican screenwriter Jose Bolanos.
• Late Evening (Around 10:30 PM): Monroe made her final recorded phone call to her friend and brother-in-law of JFK, Peter Lawford. Lawford later reported that she sounded slurred and incoherent, saying "Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to the President, and say goodbye to yourself, because you're a nice guy," before the line went dead.
• Early Morning (3:30 AM): Housekeeper Eunice Murray noticed a light on in Monroe's room and found the door locked. She called Dr. Greenson, who broke a window to enter the room.

The delay in calling the police and the initial conflicting statements from those present at the scene have fueled decades of suspicion that a cover-up took place.

5 Enduring Conspiracy Theories Challenging the Suicide Ruling

Despite the official ruling, a significant portion of the public believes Marilyn Monroe was murdered, or at least that her death was not self-inflicted. These theories often point to powerful political figures and a hidden motive.

1. The Kennedy Assassination Theory

This is arguably the most famous and persistent theory. It alleges that Marilyn Monroe was murdered by agents acting on behalf of the Kennedy family—specifically President John F. Kennedy (JFK) or his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (RFK)—to prevent her from revealing explosive secrets.

Monroe reportedly had affairs with both men and was allegedly keeping a diary containing sensitive information about their political dealings, which the Kennedys wanted to suppress.

Some accounts even claim that RFK was one of the last people to see her alive at her Brentwood home on August 4.

2. The CIA/FBI Cover-Up

A variation of the Kennedy theory suggests that intelligence agencies, either the CIA or the FBI, were monitoring Monroe due to her political connections.

Proponents of this theory argue that these agencies orchestrated her death to protect national security interests, or that they were involved in a cover-up to shield the Kennedys from scandal.

3. The Mafia Involvement

Another theory suggests that the Mafia, particularly figures like Sam Giancana, may have been involved.

The motive here is often tied to the Mafia's own complex and hostile relationship with the Kennedy administration, suggesting they may have targeted Monroe as a means of retaliation or leverage.

4. The Housekeeper/Doctor Conspiracy

The inconsistencies in the timeline provided by Eunice Murray and Dr. Greenson have led some to believe they were actively involved in a cover-up, if not the murder itself.

The delayed call to the police and the alleged cleaning of the scene before authorities arrived are cited as evidence that the two were trying to protect someone, possibly a high-profile visitor who was at the house that night.

5. The Forced Suicide/Accidental Overdose

Some experts argue that while she may have intended to take a large number of pills to get attention or escape her pain, she did not intend to die—making it an accidental overdose, not a suicide.

The "forced suicide" theory suggests that while she may have taken the pills herself, she was manipulated or coerced into doing so by those around her who were tired of her dependency and erratic behavior.

The Enduring Legacy of Norma Jeane

The question "when did Marilyn Monroe die" is simple to answer—August 4, 1962—but the "how" remains a source of endless fascination and controversy.

The world was captivated by the woman who was both the ultimate sex symbol and a deeply troubled soul, often struggling with her mental health and the pressures of fame.

Her status as a cultural icon ensures that every detail of her life, and especially her death, continues to be scrutinized by biographers, documentary filmmakers, and true crime enthusiasts.

Whether it was a tragic suicide, an accidental overdose, or a political assassination, the death of Marilyn Monroe remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.

Her legend, cemented in the moment of her sudden passing, guarantees that the tragic final hours of Norma Jeane will be analyzed for generations to come.