Casey Kasem is a legend of the entertainment industry, but like so many, it doesn’t save him from facing many of the same struggles we all face as our lives come to a close. Kasem has been suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease these past years, losing his ability to speak and living in various healthcare facilities. That was until very recently when Kasem allegedly disappeared. From WTAE:
A judge on Monday ordered an investigation into the whereabouts of Casey Kasem after an attorney for the ailing radio personality’s wife said the former “Top 40” host had been removed from the country.Casey Kasem’s children have complained that they have been unable to see their father in accordance with an agreement with their stepmother. Daughter Kerri Kasem had sought a temporary conservatorship and was appointed her father’s temporary caretaker on Monday. Her attorney, Troy Martin, said the family believes the entertainer has been taken to an Indian reservation in Washington state.
Murphy’s order came after Craig Marcus, an attorney who appeared on Jean Kasem’s behalf at Monday’s hearing, said he did not know where the radio personality was but knew that he had been removed from the country.
“I have no idea where he is,” Marcus said.
I can’t imagine that kind of stress being put on my family. As a fan, it is bad enough to see someone you once admired and enjoyed fall to pieces with age. I mean this is Shaggy from Scooby Doo, Robin from Batman, numerous Transformers, and that doesn’t even cover his broadcasting career. It’s hard to know that he’s suffering.
But couple that with a dramatic circus that will play out in the media and it’s even worse. Worse yet, this is just the latest in a long line of legal battles amongst his family:
Kerri Kasem’s case is the second one opened by one of the former host’s children to try to gain access to their father and have some oversight over his care. A previous case by daughter Julie Kasem was dismissed after she reached a settlement with her stepmother, but the daughter said Monday that agreement has been breached.
In a court filing last week, Kerri Kasem’s attorneys wrote that the entertainer has been repeatedly moved without warning and his children have been unable to see him. The complaint accused Jean Kasem of elder abuse by isolating her husband from his family.
“We’ve been troubled for a long time,” Kerri Kasem said after Monday’s court hearing. She said Murphy’s orders will ensure that the truth about her father’s care comes out. (via)
I think this is why my father has given us all orders to just shoot him out back when he becomes too ill to live a functional life. Not only are you sick, but you’re powerless to make your own decisions and those around you are constantly playing their own agendas.
Here’s hoping they find out where he is soon. And also let’s hope they can stop making a spectacle of a dying man.
(Via WTAE)
