Miscellaneous News

Hung Fu News: It wasn't suicide, in case we all didn't know.
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Quote of the Day: "They took my husband's freedom and dignity. So why not his hair?" --Rachelle Spector, upon her husband Phil having to give up his wigs.
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Hung Fu

David Carradine's family is upset a Thai newspaper published photos of the death scene.

Hung Fu

You can't blame David Carradine's family for wanting an FBI investigation into his death. How would you feel if your prominent family member died in mysterious circumstances and said by authorities to have done an Albert Dekker as the cause of death? Few people will ever look at him on film again without thinking that he was into some kind of kinky sex.

I have never been so disgusted with an actor as I am with Carradine. What a goddamned stupid way to die, no matter if it was an accident.
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Miscellaneous News [Updated]

Oh, my goddamned God:

Last October police found what they describe as graphic child pornography at the home of Ashland resident James Auchincloss, half-brother to the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Police believe the photos of naked or partially clothed prepubescent boys are evidence that Auchincloss, 62, may have committed two felonies by "encouraging child sexual abuse," according to police statements in search warrant papers obtained by the Ashland Daily Tidings.

Police also searched the home of Eagle Point resident Dennis Vickoren, described as a friend of Auchincloss, and believe the 57-year-old committed the same crimes, according to the search warrant documents.

The police investigation is ongoing and neither man has been charged.

Despite evidence that the men also have taken photographs of clothed children locally, police say the case has not been given a high priority because they believe there is no immediate threat.

...

Auchincloss, who has lived in Ashland since 1995 and serves on the board of Oregon Stage Works, declined to comment on what police found at his home, saying that it was "a matter for the courts," but did say he hasn't harmed anyone.

Auchincloss also said he believes McManus, his former personal assistant, had an ulterior motive in telling police he had child pornography because Auchincloss had accused McManus of stealing $18,000 from him. McManus, a 44-year-old Ashland artist and Southern Oregon University student, denied stealing money from his former employer and said he told police about the pornography because he felt it was the ethical thing to do.

Given the insatiable appetite for all things Kennedy by the media, even though Auchincloss isn't technically a Kennedy, I am surprised this hasn't been more publicized. Or maybe it has, and I have been in a cave.

The Daily Tidings of Ashland has a recent picture of him.

Update: AP, always quick to report things, had the story up late last night:

The affidavit, shared by the Ashland Daily Tidings with the AP, also said police had probable cause to believe that Auchincloss was encouraging child sexual abuse.

Police told the newspaper the case has not been given a high priority because they believe there is no immediate threat.

Contacted by the AP, a police spokeswoman declined to provide any details but confirmed an investigation was "in progress."

Every tabloid in the country and world will have this; there is no way the one-time private citizen Auchincloss can avoid public notoriety.

Here is a bio of Auchincloss from the Oregon Stage Works website:

Board Member James Auchincloss (Ashland, Oregon) was born and raised in Washington D.C., and is a member of Columbia University's graduating class of 1970. Currently a member of the 1983 graduating class, Barak Obama is President of the United States. Jamie drove across the United States 64 times visiting presidential libraries and attending major political events, he was also a docent at the National Archives. During that time, Jamie's love of the stage grew as he started visiting many theatre festivals across America. Jamie first visited Ashland in 1978 and made his home here in 1995. Jamie has sought out small theatres across America and Canada; he once attended 160 plays in one year. He has a deep and abiding interest in the arts, and has served on the board of directors of many theatres in Washington D.C., Rhode Island, and Oregon.

He took after his half-sister in his love for the arts.



This picture accompanies an article where Auchincloss is quoted. He is seen receiving hospital--not prison--food when he was recovering from hip surgery last year. He praised the quality of food during his stay.
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It appears David Carradine's death is one for the Darwin Awards, and reports have it his death is similar to that of the actor Albert Dekker.

What a hell of a stupid way to die.
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Twenty-three-year-old rancher Neal Wanless was the winner of the $232.1 Powerball prize. He will take home around $88.5 million in a one-lump payment after taxes.

Obituaries

Actor David Carradine, best known for his role in the 1970s cult television show Kung Fu, has been found dead in a Thailand hotel. He was reportedly found hanged in a closet. Carradine, the oldest son of actor John Carradine, was 72.

The newspaper said Carradine could not be contacted after he failed to appear for a meal with the rest of the film crew on Wednesday, and that his body was found by a hotel maid at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The name of the movie was not immediately available.

It said a preliminary police investigation found that he had hanged himself with a cord used with the room’s curtains. It cited police as saying he had been dead at least 12 hours and there was no sign that he had been assaulted.

Here is a clip from the pilot movie of the Kung Fu series: