Marilyn Monroe died at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood on August 4, 1962, at the age of 36. She was found unresponsive in her bedroom by her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, who had arrived for the morning, and later confirmed by Los Angeles County coroner personnel. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled her death probable due to acute barbiturate poisoning, with additional factors including depression and possible residue of other drugs. This private residence, which she rented, was not a commercial property or event venue but her personal apartment. The following verified facts, context, and timeline clarify common questions about the location and circumstances of her final hours.
Factual Context and Coroners Findings
The official determination of Marilyn Monroe as deceased at this specific address rests on Los Angeles County death records and coroner documentation. Multiple authoritative biographies, law enforcement archives, and news reports from 1962 corroborate the location and cause notation. Primary documents available from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner provide the foundation for understanding the factual record. Key attributes are summarized below.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles County property records, coroner reports |
| Date of Death | August 4, 1962 | Coroner docket and law enforcement logs |
| Age at Death | 36 years old | Birth and death certificates |
| Pronounced By | Los Angeles County coroner and responding physician | Coroner case file |
| Cause of Death | Acute barbiturate poisoning; contributing factors including depression | Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner toxicology report |
Location Details: The Brentwood Residence
12305 Fifth Helena Drive is a private residential property in Brentwood, an established neighborhood in Los Angeles. It was a rental apartment occupied by Marilyn Monroe under a lease, not owned by her at the time of her death. The building is multiunit in character and is not styled as a museum, hotel, or public venue, though it has become a point of interest for some visitors. Understanding it as a private home rather than a commercial site is important for context and ongoing preservation considerations.
Inside the apartment, Monroe occupied the bedroom where she was ultimately discovered. The housekeeper arrived that morning and, upon checking the bedroom, found Monroe unresponsive. Subsequent arrival by emergency services and coroner staff confirmed the circumstances. Scene notes and incident reports describe the apartment’s condition and initial observations. The bedroom and its furnishings at the time have not been preserved as an open exhibit, and the address remains a private residence.
Timeline of Events on August 4, 1962
On the morning of August 4, 1962, Eunice Murray, the housekeeper, arrived at the usual time and entered via the main door; the interior door to the bedroom was reportedly locked. After knocking and receiving no response, Murray called out and then phoned Monroe’s psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson. Greenson and others arrived on the scene, and law enforcement was contacted. Officers entered the apartment and discovered Monroe deceased in the bedroom. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and city responders pronounced death at the scene. The sequence below summarizes key points verified from official records and contemporaneous reporting.
- Early morning: Housekeeper arrived, found bedroom door locked and no response after knocking and calling.
- Shortly after: Contact made to Dr. Ralph Greenson, who then notified authorities.
- Morning: First responders and law enforcement entered the apartment and confirmed death.
- Later that day: Los Angeles County coroner arrived, documented the scene, and removed the body for autopsy.
- Within days: The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner issued the probable cause of death as acute barbiturate poisoning.
Common Questions and Clarifications
Public curiosity about Marilyn Monroe’s final location often centers on the exact setting and conditions. Clarifying points include the residential nature of the property, the role of the housekeeper in the discovery, and the medical determination by county officials. Some speculation has circulated about security, exact timing, and minute-by-minute details, but core facts remain anchored in coroner records and contemporaneous accounts. The following distinctions help separate verified information from inference.
| Aspect | Clarified Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type of property | Private rental apartment | Not a hotel, studio, or commercial site at time of death |
| Who discovered her | Housekeeper Eunice Murray | Arrived for morning routine; called for medical help |
| Official cause | Acute barbiturate poisoning | Coroner’s finding; contributing emotional factors noted |
| Current use of address | Private residence | Not open to the public; no on-site memorial or museum |
Impact and Legacy in Context
While the factual record of Marilyn Monroe’s death is well established, the ongoing public interest reflects her lasting cultural presence rather than any ambiguity about the basic facts. Scholars, journalists, and biographers continue to reference verified sources such as coroner files, police logs, and contemporaneous news articles when discussing this period. Understanding the setting as a private apartment in Brentwood helps focus discussion on her life, work, and the systems that responded to her death. Reliable documentation allows the public to distinguish between confirmed information and speculative commentary.
Reliable Information and Sources
Readers seeking information about where Marilyn Monroe died can rely on Los Angeles County death records, coroner reports, and reputable biographies that cite primary documents. Law enforcement archives from 1962, along with detailed reporting from established news organizations at the time, form the basis of the verified account. When evaluating new claims, prioritize sources that reference original records, such as coroner dockets and official incident logs, rather than uncited assertions or anecdotal retellings. The concise facts above reflect the most consistently documented information available.
Conclusion on the Verified Facts
Marilyn Monroe died at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on August 4, 1962, after being found unresponsive in her bedroom and later pronounced dead due to acute barbiturate poisoning. The housekeeper discovered her, emergency services and coroner staff responded, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner documented the circumstances. This address remains a private residence and is not open to the public. Focusing on these verified details supports an accurate, durable understanding of her final location and the factual record surrounding her death.
Further Reading and Context
For those interested in deeper context, official Los Angeles County coroner reports and reputable biographies that cite primary records provide additional detail on the medical and procedural aspects. Historical news coverage from August 1962 also offers contemporaneous reporting consistent with the documented timeline. These sources collectively support a long-term, fact-based perspective on Marilyn Monroe’s death and its setting.
References and Source Notes
Information in this overview is drawn from Los Angeles County death and coroner records, law enforcement documentation from 1962, and established biographies that reference primary sources. Cross-referencing these materials helps ensure accuracy and reduces reliance on anecdotal or speculative accounts. As with historical research, prioritizing verifiable records yields the most reliable understanding of where and how Marilyn Monroe died.