Carradine didn’t commit suicide, expert says

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The forensics expert hired by David Carradine’s family has concluded that the “Kung Fu” actor did not commit suicide, but said Thursday that more information was needed from Thai investigators before the cause of death could be determined.

Carradine’s brothers, Keith and Robert Carradine, each read part of a prepared statement to reporters from The Associated Press at a Los Angeles hotel. In their first public remarks since their older brother was found hanging in a Bangkok hotel room closet last week, they thanked supporters and asked for privacy.

“This is a devastating loss for our family and we greatly appreciate the compassion pouring in from all over the world,” Keith Carradine said.

They also released a statement by Dr. Michael Baden of New York that indicated a second autopsy determined Carradine didn’t kill himself.

“However, to reach a final determination as to the cause and the manner of death we must wait for further information from Thailand as to the scene findings and the completion of the crime laboratory and toxicology studies that are still being performed,” Baden’s statement concluded.

Reached by phone after the morning briefing, Baden said he expects to receive more information from Thai authorities in a week or two and stressed that the information at hand was incomplete.

“The autopsy is only part of the analysis,” he said.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.