Casey Kasem: Missing, Found, And The Legal/Health Battle UPDATE: Casey Kasem Has Passed Away At The Age Of 82

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

The sad story surrounding CASEY KASEM could come to a conclusion soon, as the radio star is in critical condition at a hospital in western WASHINGTON state.
SCOTT THOMPSON, a spokesman for ST. ANTHONY HOSPITAL, told CNN in a written statement that, "Mr. KASEM is alert and appears comfortable at this time," and added that KASEM, "is receiving antibiotics through IVs, blood pressure support medicine and care for his bed sores. Any further updates on Mr. KASEM's condition will be at the discretion and approval of his children."
DANNY DERANEY, speaking for KASEM's daughter KERRI KASEM, told CNN that members of the family, including CASEY KASEM's brother, were flying to WASHINGTON. When asked if they feared CASEY KASEM might die, DERANEY said it could be his last moments or he could get better. DERANEY clarified that he never meant that KASEM's health was failing as was reported by several media outlets.

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[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

A court has once ahain stepped in to rule on the health of CASEY KASEM, ruling YESTERDAY (6/9) that KASEM should be fed, hydrated and medicated. A court-appointed attorney will evaluated the health of KASEM following moves made by CASEY's daughter, KERRY KASEM, to begin end of life measures.
CBS NEWS reports, "daughter KERRI KASEM, who has been placed in temporary control of his treatment, consulted with doctors and decided in recent days to stop giving her father food, water and medications, attorneys said in court. LOS ANGELES Superior Court Judge DANIEL S. MURPHY ruled that CASEY KASEM should receive the treatments while an attorney appointed by the judge meets with KASEM and his doctors in WASHINGTON state."
TROY MARTIN, an attorney for KERRI KASEM said, "the decision to begin end-of-life measures was made after doctors determined that feeding and hydrating the celebrity had become increasingly painful. MARTIN said the judge's ruling is likely to cause the former AMERICAN TOP 40 host more pain," adds CBS.
CASEY's wife JEAN told the court she supported the ruling, and will seek to be reinstated as her husband's caretaker. "Only God knows when to take someone," she said.
The judge has set a hearing for FRIDAY, JUNE 13th to receive an update about KASEM's health.
STEVE HANEY, an attorney for JEAN KASEM, said it was unclear how much longer KASEM had to live.


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[Rob]

I just heard that Casey's daughters are taking him off life-support today.

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

In a ruling TODAY (6/11), according to CNN.com, KERRI KASEM attorney TROY MARTIN has said that Superior Court Judge DANIEL MURPHY has reversed his decision from earlier this week (6/6) and has granted daughter KERRI the authority to withhold medication, food and fluids from her ailing father, the legendary CASEY KASEM.

In his ruling, MURPHY has determined that giving CASEY KASEM food and fluids would be harmful and cause more pain for the 82-year-old former radio personality.

KERRI KASEM said in a statement following the hearing: "The court’s decision today upheld our father’s explicit wishes as expressed by him in his health directive: If the extension of my life would result in a mere biological existence, devoid of cognitive function, with no reasonable hope for normal functioning, then I do not desire any form of life sustaining procedures, including nutrition and hydration....
Transitioning our father’s treatment to comfort-oriented care was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make. For the last 11 days, our father has been surrounded day and night by love and care by his daughters Kerri and Julie, his son Mike, his brother Mouner and sister-in-law Mary, and his dear friend Gonzalo Venecia. We continue to hope that Jean and Liberty will come join his family during this time."

She was referring to a directive her father signed in 2007, saying he would not want to be kept alive if it "would result in a mere biological existence, devoid of cognitive function, with no reasonable hope for normal functioning."

TMZ now reports that KASEM, with his daughters, son and brother by his side, is listening to old broadcasts of his iconic countdown show in a WASHINGTON hospice. The family believes the broadcasts will give him great enjoyment as he goes through the imminent transition

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[radiodude]

We've received an exclusive statement from Casey Kasem's family:

"The court’s decision today upheld our father’s explicit wishes as expressed by him in his health directive: “If the extension of my life would result in a mere biological existence, devoid of cognitive function, with no reasonable hope for normal functioning, then I do not desire any form of life sustaining procedures, including nutrition and hydration....” Transitioning our father’s treatment to comfort-oriented care was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make.

For the last 11 days, our father has been surrounded day and night by love and care by his daughters Kerri and Julie, his son Mike, his brother Mouner and sister-in-law Mary, and his dear friend Gonzalo Venecia. We continue to hope that Jean and Liberty will come join his family during this time."

https://www.facebook.com/celebtv?fref=nf

[Chase]

Some sad news to share this morning Casey Kasem has passed away at the age of 82.

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:




Following months of legal family wrangling over his care and access to seeing him, ALL ACCESS is deeply saddened to report that the legendary CASEY KASEM, who was literally the voice of a generation as host and co-creator of the AMERICAN TOP 40 syndicated radio show, has died on FATHER's DAY (6/15) at age 82 after complications from Lewy Body Dementia, a degenerative condition similar to Parkinson's Disease.
KERRI KASEM @KerriKasem Tweeted the sad news: "Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends. Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad. With love, Kerri, Mike and Julie."
KASEM, born APRIL 27th, 1932 in DETROIT, MI. to LEBANESE DRUZE parents, had a given first name of KEMAL. KASEM attended WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY in DETROIT.
Drafted into the US Army in 1952, KASEM was a DJ for the ARMED FORCES RADIO NETWORK while serving in KOREA. There were stops in CLEVELAND, BUFFALO and LOS ANGELES before his fame would grow exponentially. On JULY 4th, 1970, AMERICAN TOP 40 was born. KASEM would later say that first show took 18 hours to record and had only seven affiliates.
He hosted the weekly countdown until 1988, and again from 1998 to 2004, when RYAN SEACREST succeeded him.
On his last broadcast of AMERICAN TOP 20, one of two AC spinoffs he hosted until 2009, KASEM reflected on the beginnings of AT40, saying "DON [BUSTANY, longtime business partner] and I believed, and so did a growing number of listeners."
The countdown featured the popular segment "Long Distance Dedication." But KASEM said it wasn't part of the show until 1978 when a staffer found the letter in the mail. Over the years, more than 3,000 dedications were read on the show. At the height of his popularity -- the 1980s -- KASEM took a version of his syndicated radio countdown to TV. He used the burgeoning music video craze on AMERICA'S TOP 10.
His signature line was "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."
KASEM's voice wasn't only familiar for spinning records. He was an accomplished voice-over artist. KASEM was heard on numerous commercials and on the NBC-TV promos in the 1980s. But he was predominantly known as the voice of SHAGGY on the SCOOBY-DOO cartoons, a role he maintained for 40 years.
In 1985, KASEM was inducted into the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS HALL OF FAME.
He is survived by a second wife, actress JEAN KASEM, a daughter, LIBERTY, and three children, MIKE, JULIE, and KERRI from his first marriage. KASEM's final months were marred by legal disputes between family members.
In his goodbye to radio fans in 2009, KASEM said, "Success doesn't happen in a vacuum. You're only as good as the people you work with and the people you work for. I've been lucky, I've worked for and with the very best."
ALL ACCESS Pres./Publisher JOEL DENVER noted, "CASEY's death marks the passing of one of the truly innovative radio personalities of our time. CASEY brought to life the magic of AMERICAN TOP 40 to millions for years, and with that show, he created an indelible and beautiful spotlight on the importance of music and radio for generations of listeners. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with CASEY when we both recorded our respective shows for WESTWOODONE, and he was always a gentleman, who had a big and caring heart. Rest in peace, CASEY."
We invite you to leave your comments about CASEY below

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[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

Radio legend CASEY KASEM may have passed, but the surviving members of his family aren't about to mend fences any time soon. Although one NEW YORK DAILY NEWS story reports Kasem's three eldest children won't fight their estranged stepmother, JEAN KASEM, over authority regarding KASEM's final disposition, another story reports that KERRI KASEM still plans to file elder abuse charges against her stepmother with the SANTA MONICA POLICE next MONDAY.
Inciting the move was reports that private investigator LOGAN CLARKE came up with evidence that "JEAN KASEM has been romantically involved with a 40-something Canadian man known as “JP” who allegedly lives at the KASEM's MALIBU condo and regularly drives the late DJ’s black SUV."
One exhibit in KERRI KASEM's MAY 7th probate petition is a MARCH 19th letter from KERRI KASEM’s lawyer, TROY MARTIN, to JEAN KASEM’s lawyers,alleging that she previously told her husband that their marriage was over, and that "Mr. KASEM told (one of his doctors) that he had been divorced from Mrs. KASEM for years ... Witnesses will testify that Mrs. KASEM has been lying to Mr. KASEM for at least two years, telling him that they are divorced."

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[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

CASEY KASEM's family and close friends held a private ceremony in BEL AIR, CA on SATURDAY, JUNE 21st to remember the radio legend who passed away JUNE 15th at age 82.

KASEM's wife JEAN was, "noticeably absent," reports THE WRAP, adding, "between 100 and 150 mourners attended the memorial on SATURDAY at BEL AIR Protestant Church, including KASEM's adult children, family spokesman DANNY DERANEY told THE WRAP.

“The children -- KERRI, MIKE, JULIE and JULIE's daughters gave speeches in addition to his close friends and brother,” DERANEY said.
“The day ended with a wonderful video presentation created by MIKE KASEM,” DERANEY said.

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[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

It didn't take too long after CASEY KASEM's passing for the fight between his children and wife JEAN to turn ugly. TMZ is reporting JEAN KASEM is claiming the children, "wanted him to die so they could collect on his sizable life insurance policy."

JEAN KASEM told TMZ that, "KERRI KASEM called the funeral home and asked how quickly they could issue a death certificate. JEAN thinks it's a money grab -- 'Their impatience for CASEY to die was obvious when they killed him and now their impatience to collect on the life insurance is even more telling'," and commented on the memorial held for CASEY by telling the website, "We have had to once again handle all of their incessant sleaze peddling while preparing the arrangements for a befitting funeral for CASEY."

KERRI KASEM responded to the claims by telling TMZ, "It's pretty clear ... JEAN is deflecting a looming criminal investigation for elder abuse."

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