He’s been dead for three years (6/15/14) yet the family feud over radio icon Casey Kasem rages on. The latest twist is a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Kasem’s widow against his three children. Jean Kasem is accusing Kerri, Mike, and Julie Kasem (from a prior relationship) of participating in a “homicidal guardianship scam” that directly led to his death.
The lawsuit claims that the children rendered control of Kasem’s medical care against a judge’s order, chemically restrained him, and ordered hospital staff to withdraw food and water, killing him. Jean alleges the motive was to gain control of Casey and Jean’s joint assets.
The complaint, which you can read HERE, states that on June 6, 2014, Jean Kasem and her daughter Liberty were called to the hospital and when they arrived they were met by a nurse who informed them that they “had already begun the process” of withdrawing and withholding Casey Kasem’s hydration, nutrition, and all proactive medical care, without any consent from Jean Kasem, and without authorization by a judge. The complaint says they were only allowed to see Casey for 5 minutes and they never saw him alive again.
As a reminder of the previous fighting amongst the family members, on June 2, 2014, Jean Kasem threw raw meat at Kerri Kasem when she arrived with an ambulance for her father. A judge ruled Kerri could take her father to the hospital if necessary — he was developing infections in his lungs and bladder, and had bed sores. Jean Kasem shouted, “In the name of King David, I threw a piece of raw meat into the street in exchange for my husband to the wild rabid dogs.”
In November 2015, Casey Kasem’s children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jean Kasem. They accused Jean of elder abuse and inflicting emotional distress on them. At that time, the kids were restricted access from their father as he approached his final days. They alleged in their own lawsuit that “Casey’s early death occurred as a direct and proximate result of Jean’s neglect and physical abuse of Casey.”
When we asked Jean Kasem’s representative what she was seeking, we were told “damages will be determined at trial.” Jean Kasem says, “The truth about my husband’s homicide is so disturbing to confront but I am compelled to seek justice. After an exhaustive forensic investigation following Casey’s death and autopsy, there was no other choice but to bring this lawsuit. The facts unambiguously point to defendants’ deceit, self-dealing and fraud, which demand to be exposed. I have taken this action for my daughter Liberty and for my husband of 35 years, as I’m certain Casey would have done the same for me. I pray the justice we seek is quick and thoroughly delivered, not only for us, but for all of the vulnerable and elderly who are subjected to the same predatory and abusive conduct by those who are anxious for them to die for illicit and immediate financial gain.”
Also named as a defendant is Catholic Health Initiatives, which owns and operates the hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington, where Kasem died.
The Reels show was based only on the information provided by Kerri. There was an independent autopsy done June 14th or 15th. Those results were given to LA police and was in fact used for their recommendations. The 2011 DPOA was available also which was put into court records in Nov 2013 and was the basaline for judge Leslie Greens recommendation. In that DPOA Casey gives Jean the authority to limit visitation. It also gives guidelines and leaves his wishes on his death.
I read this story but I really don’t care enough about it to leave any comment other than this…
So glad to hear Jean Kasem has filed this lawsuit against Casey’s 3 vicious children from his previous marriage. It sickens me that children can do this, and get away with it. I don’t have a lot of money, but I think I’ll make sure everything is spent and sold before I become too old to take care of myself.
You realize that Jean fled the country because she was afraid of being arrested for elder abuse? You might want to review the atrocious things Jean did without regard to her husband’s health.
You might want to view the program ‘Autopsy: The Last Hours of Casey Kasem’ that appears on the REELZ Channel for some background on this. It simply galls me that a second wife can somehow trump blood relatives, those being children from Kasem’s first marriage. I think the very fact that Kasem was buried in a country other than the one he called home speaks quite a bit about this woman’s motives.
No what trumps his 3 children is Casey’s Dpoa 2011. It was presented on Nov2013 in Court proceedings. He states Jean has the authority to limit or stop visitation. It also gives her in structures in the event of his death.
Money doesn’t talk, it swears. (Bob Dylan, 1963).
Greed Indeed.