Casey Kasem’s children are working with law enforcement following a report that his wife, Jean Kasem, is making arrangements to have the radio personality’s body flown to Europe, a publicist for his daughter has confirmed.
Danny Deraney, a publicist for Casey Kasem’s daughter Kerri, told The Associated Press in an email Tuesday that his children are discussing their next steps with authorities.
Jean Kasem is reportedly trying to have Casey Kasem’s body flown to Europe from Montreal (photo Getty Images)
DJ Casey Kasem, the radio host of American Top 40 died on June 15 at a hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was 82 and suffering from dementia.
Casey Kasem’s death followed a lengthy battle over his care between his wife Jean Kasem and his three adult children from his first marriage.
According to TMZ, Jean Kasem is trying to have Casey Kasem’s body flown to Europe, perhaps Oslo, Norway, from Montreal.
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DJ Casey Kasem’s body has been flown to Canada from a Washington state funeral home, his longtime former agent announced on Wednesday.
Casey Kasem, the former host of the syndicated program American Top 40, was moved to Canada by his wife, Jean Kasem, his agent Don Pitts said, after being kept at the Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma, Washington. He died on June 15 at the age of 82.
Candace Corkum, administrative manager for the funeral home, confirmed last Friday that Casey Kasem’s body was no longer at the facility.
Casey Kasem had been the focus of a dispute between his three children from his first marriage – Kerri, Julie and Mike – and his second wife, Jean Kasem.
Casey Kasem’s body was moved to Canada by his wife, Jean Kasem (photo Getty Images)
The children said Jean Kasem prevented them from visiting him as he suffered from Lewy body dementia, an illness with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Casey Kasem had wanted to be buried at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California, said Danny Deraney, a spokesman for the siblings.
Danny Deraney said that while Casey Kasem’s wife has the legal right to move the remains without notifying anyone, she should let his friends and family know.
“Right now, she’s not divulging that location. For what reasons, I don’t know,” Danny Deraney said.
A Washington state judge on July 16 forbade movement of the body from the funeral home based on a request by Kerri Kasem to have an autopsy conducted to investigate suspicions of elder abuse, Danny Deraney said.
The order was delivered to the home a day after Casey Kasem’s body was moved, CNN reported.
A spokesman for the Santa Monica Police Department said there was an open and ongoing probe into allegations of elder abuse, but declined to provide further detail.
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A legal wrangle amongst DJ Casey Kasem’s family has delayed the radio legend’s burial a month after his death.
A Washington state judge granted a temporary court order to Casey Kasem’s daughter, preventing his second wife from removing his remains from a funeral home in Tacoma.
Kerri Kasem is seeking authorization for a post-mortem on her father.
Casey Kasem was a voiceover artist and host of the American Top 40, and the voice of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo cartoons.
He died on June 15 after suffering from a form of dementia, with his care at the centre of a serious rift between his family.
DJ Casey Kasem died on June 15 after suffering from a form of dementia, with his care at the centre of a serious rift between his family (photo Getty Images)
Before Casey Kasem’s death, a judge granted an order allowing his daughter to withhold food, liquids and medication from him against the wishes of his wife of 34 years.
Kerri Kasem has expressed concerns that his body could be cremated or taken to Canada by his widow Jean, negating the possibility of a post-mortem.
Jean Kasem has rights over his remains, while his daughter held the medical conservatorship in the final part of his life.
A small, private memorial service for Casey Kasem was held in California last month, but his second wife and their daughter Liberty did not attend.
The children from the 82-year-old’s first marriage are hoping to bury him in California in accordance with his final wishes.
The judge moved to ensure Casey Kasem’s body was not taken from the funeral home while a decision is being considered about allowing a post-mortem examination to take place.
Casey Kasem began his career in the 1950s and found fame with the chart program.
He famously ended his broadcasts with his signature sign-off: “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”
After spells hosting countdown shows under other titles, Casey Kasem returned to American Top 40 in the 1990s and retired from the airwaves in 2009.
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