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Tag: Casey Kasem death

  • Casey Kasem’s Family Releases Medical Records After Jean Kasem Files Lawsuit Requesting Them

    Jean Kasem has succeeded in convincing the children of radio legend Casey Kasem to share all hospital records in their possession after she sued a hospital in Washington state to learn more about the last weeks of his life.

    “The Kasem children are happy to provide Mrs. Kasem with all such records in their possession,” the statement said. “These records indisputably show that Mr. Kasem was extremely ill when admitted to St. Anthony’s hospital on June 1, 2014.”

    Kerri, Mike and Julie Kasem said in a statement issued through their lawyer Troy Martin on Wednesday that the records will show that their father was well-cared for and that all appropriate measures were taken to preserve Kasem’s life. Records also indicate that when it was clear there was no more to be done to keep him alive, he was allowed to die comfortably.

    “These records also demonstrate that Kerri Kasem, as the court-appointed conservator of the person, authorized an aggressive course of treatment to combat the life-threatening infections Mr. Kasem had developed while under Mrs. Kasem’s care.”

    Jean Kasem filed suit earlier this month against St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, where Casey Kasem died from dementia last June at the age of 82.

    The statement also indicated that the American Top 40 host should have been placed in hospice care. However, Jean Kasem moved her husband to a friend’s home in Washington state from California. In the custody battle that ensued, Kerri Kasem won control of her father’s care and had him taken to the hospital.

    “When Casey entered the hospital, there was no expectation he had only a couple of weeks of life left to live,” said Jean Kasem’s attorney Lance Hester.

    A court hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for April.

    Casey Kasem was laid to rest at Vestre Gravlund, a cemetery in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 16, per his widow’s wishes.

  • Casey Kasem To Be Buried in Norway. Why?

    Casey Kasem‘s final resting place will apparently be in Oslo, Norway. One may wonder why in the world the American Top 40 host will be buried in a locale far from his country of birth and where his family currently lives.

    It seems Kasem’s widow has decided to take his remains with her when she moves to Norway in the near future. According to a spokeswoman for the funeral agency in Oslo, Kasem’s wife, Jean Kasem, cites her Norwegian heritage as one of the reasons for wanting to bury her late husband in Norway.

    Kasem died June 15 in Washington at the age of 82. His death came after a lengthy and nasty battle among his wife and his three children from a previous marriage over the care of the beloved radio host, who was suffering from the end stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

    The spokeswoman for the funeral service agency in Oslo said Jean Kasem also told the agency she plans to move to Norway later this year and prefers to have her late husband buried nearby so she will be able to visit his grave.

    According to Danny Deraney, a Los Angeles spokesman for the Kasem family , who are fighting against Jean Kasem’s plans to bury Kasem in Norway, the body is currently in Oslo but has yet to be buried.

    Deraney said Tuesday that the family members have signed a letter saying Jean Kasem “doesn’t have an ounce of Norwegian blood” and confirmed what other friends have said — that Kasem wanted to be buried in Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles.

  • Casey Kasem Remembered On Twitter

    Casey Kasem is considered the voice of America by most people.

    Not only was he the voice of Shaggy on the Scooby Doo show, he was also a DJ and hosted some of the most popular music radio programs, including American Top 40, American Top 20, and American Top 10 from 1970 until his retirement in 2009.

    Kasem passed away on Sunday, June 15 from complications of his dementia. He was 82 years old.

    He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

    His death was mourned around the world, but many of his celebrity friends who knew him well also mourned the loss of their friend on Twitter.

    Kasem was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in October 2013. The diagnosis was later changed to Lewy body dementia. His family tried to keep the illness a secret, but on June 6, 2014, Kasem was reported to be in critical but stable condition at a hospital in Washington state.

    His condition continued to deteriorate and he passed away at the hospital on June 15.

    His body was turned over to his wife, who is currently making funeral arrangements.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Casey Kasem Dies at 82 on Father’s Day

    Casey Kasem, best known for his radio show American Top 40, passed away early on Father’s Day at the age of 82. His death was confirmed earlier on Sunday by his agent Don Pitts.

    Kasem’s children Kerri, Mike, and Julie Kasem issued a joint statement about their dad’s death that was released by Casey Kasem’s rep Danny Deraney.

    “Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends,” the statement reads. “Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken … The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad.”

    Casey Kasem had been hospitalized in Washington state for the past two weeks following court proceedings that not only put his daughter in charge of his medical decisions but also gave her permission to tell the hospital to withhold food and water during his last days. Kasem’s current wife Jean Kasem challenged both of these decisions but was overruled. She stayed away from her husband during his last two weeks even though the Kasem children urged her to come and spend these last days with her husband.

    Casey Kasem was one of the creators of American Top 40 back in the 1970s. The first show aired on July 4, 1970. The show counts down the top radio hits of the week and is now hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest posted the following about his dear friend and mentor.

    Kasem also did many radio and TV commercials–lending his distinguished voice to countless products and events. He didn’t appear on screen, however. He also provided the voice of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo franchise for many years.

    The American music world has lost a legend. Casey Kasem was many young music enthusiasts’ first voice on the radio, introducing them to a wealth of music and sharing tidbits about the bands and their songs. Fans are missing him already.

    An autopsy won’t be performed on Kasem since a doctor was present when he passed away. Daughter Julie Kasem plans to host a memorial celebration at her Northridge, Caifornia, home on Saturday June 21 for her father. No other funeral arrangements have yet been announced.

    Casey Kasem’s last months weren’t particularly peaceful ones, even though his children certainly had his best interests at heart. May he rest in eternal peace now that his battles on earth are over.

    Image via Twitter