Marilyn Monroe’s final purchase proves she was not planning to kill herself, says S. David Bernstein

Forensic psychologist Dr. S. David Bernstein has analyzed a check signed by Marilyn Monroe the day before her death and says that it proves she was not planning to kill herself.

Marilyn Monroe used the check, which is now being auctioned off, to purchase a white chest of drawers worth $228.80 from Pilgrim’s Furniture, an act Harvard-trained Dr S. David Bernstein believes is inconsistent with someone contemplating suicide.

Dr. S. David Bernstein said people about to take their own lives often engage in shopping sprees, but the fact all Marilyn Monroe bought was the chest of drawers suggests she was planning to be around to use it.

“What my thoughts are is that this purchase wouldn’t be consistent with planning to kill yourself,” said Dr. S. David Bernstein.

“A chest of drawers is a very personal item, and fairly low cost, and that is indicative that she was making plans for herself in the future.”

The historic check, dated August 4, 1962, is among a collection of 15 items being sold by Heritage Auctions to commemorate Marilyn Monroe, 50 years after her untimely death.

Marilyn Monroe’s death was ruled a probable suicide.

But Dr. S. David Bernstein said her behavior didn’t fit with someone who was suicidal.

“It’s not like she was getting a high out of buying a lot of stuff or big ticket items, which is often what people who are feeling depressed do to elevate themselves,” he said.

“If I was doing a psycho autopsy and determining whether it was suicide or an accident, this particular piece of data – and of course I don’t know what else she did that day – is not consistent with someone who was planning to not be around to enjoy what they were buying.

“It easily could have been an accident,” said Dr. S. David Bernstein.

“It probably was.”

The current online bid for the check is $8,000.

Marilyn Monroe banked with City National Bank of Beverly Hills and the check was written by someone other than her, possibly her caretaker Eunice Murray, according to the auction house.

It is signed in blue ballpoint ink by the starlet.

“No star will ever capture the hearts and wallets of collectors quite like Marilyn Monroe,” Heritage’s director of Entertainment and Music Memorabilia Margaret Barret told the Huffington Post.