From www.theimproper.com- Did a bizarre sexual practice kill actor David Carradine? As new details emerge about his death, the possibility exists that Carradine did not take his own life.
He may have actually strangled himself accidentally while trying to heighten an orgasm while masturbating.
In the BDSM community, the practice is known as “breathplay” or often “edgeplay,” because individuals push the limits of safe, sane sex. Usually a partner is involved just in case a person passes out and needs to be revived.
The great majority of known erotic asphyxial deaths are males. While the mean age of accidental death is the mid-20s, men in their 70s have also been known to die from the practice. If Carradine died in this fashion, his insurance company could not invoke a suicide clause in any policy he may hold and would have to pay full benefits.
The biggest clue that Carradine’s death was due to erotic asphyxia is the fact that he was found naked hanging from a closet pole.
In many fatal cases, the body of the victim is discovered naked or with genitalia in hand. In some cases pornographic magazines are nearby, with dildos or other sex toys present, or with evidence of orgasm prior to death.
The actor’s state of mind would also be key. He was in Thailand working on a movie, and there have been no reports of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior leading up to his death. Authorities are reportedly conducting an autopsy.
Hanging, suffocation with a plastic bag over the head and self-strangulation with a rope or cord are frequent ways to create the oxygen depletion necessary to heighten an orgasm.
The mortality rate of autoerotic asphyxia ranges between 250 to 1000 deaths per year in the United States. Death most often occurs when the individual passes out and is unable to free himself leading to death.
The Oscar-nominated star, who played the role of Bill in Quentin Tarantino’s hit “Kill Bill” movies was discovered hanged in the room by a chamber maid.
His manager Chuck Binder called the death “shocking and sad”.
US Embassy spokesman in Thailand Michael Turner confirmed the passing of the 72-year-old actor, saying he died on either Wednesday evening (June 3) or this morning (June 6).
At the time of writing, Turner declined to provide anymore details out of consideration for his family. Carradine, who is probably best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the popular ‘70s TV series “Kung Fu,” is survived by his fifth wife, Annie Bierman.
Speaking of his role in “Kung Fu,” Carradine said: “I don’t need to convince anybody that I know kung fu, but maybe somebody needs to know that I really can act without doing a Chinese accent or a funny walk.”
He was nominated as Best Actor for his role as Woody Guthrie in 1976 movie “Bound for Glory.”