Michael Schwartz/Getty ImagesThree days after the mourning family of David Carradine requested FBI intervention into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the actor's death, Thai police say they will welcome U.S. assistance into their investigation.
However, police, who have since reneged on their initial theory that the 72-year-old's death was the result of a suicide, said that the FBI would be welcomed simply as observers, the only position allowed for a foreign body under Thai law.
"If the FBI wants to get involved, we will do our best to cooperate," Thai police Major General Amnuay Nimmano told reporters at a press conference today. "We have nothing to hide."
Including Carradine's cause of death, which has yet to be officially announced, for one simple reason…
Police are not yet certain about what caused—let alone what events led up to—his death.
"The previous conclusions on the cause of death were made by people who know nothing about the case," Nimmano said.
It's believed that Carradine died from autoerotic asphyxiation during a sexual encounter.
A grainy photo was published in the tabloid Thai Rath over the weekend which apparently showed a naked Carradine with both hands bound at the wrist and suspended over his head in his Bangkok hotel room. His face is blurred and parts of his body were obscured.
Thai police have since said that the image was most likely a police forensic photograph that was leaked to the paper.
Carradine's brother Keith Carradine said that the family was "profoundly disturbed" by the publication of the image and may seek legal action against the paper and any future publishers of the photo for "invasion of privacy and severe emotional distress."
Carradine's body is expected to arrive in Los Angeles sometime today, where a second autopsy will be performed. The results of an autopsy performed in Thailand are not expected for three weeks.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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