Autopsy On Brando's Son Inconclusive
Los Angeles County authorities say an autopsy on Christian Brando did not immediately determine what killed the eldest son of the late actor Marlon Brando.
Coroner's official Ed Winter said the cause of death was listed Tuesday as deferred pending results of toxicology tests that may determine whether Brando had prescription or other drugs in his system and whether a medical condition was involved.
Results should be available in six to eight weeks.
Brando died Saturday at a Los Angeles hospital. An attorney representing Marlon Brando's estate said the 49-year-old died from pneumonia.
His family requested the autopsy Monday "based on his past drug history."
Also Monday, Christian Brando's ex-wife Deborah sued the executors of Marlon Brando's estate, claiming she is a victim of professional negligence, fraud and deceit.
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She claimed that, as part of a February 2007 settlement with Christian Brando in a domestic violence case, she would become assignee of her ex-husband's rights and claims in the estate.
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After-hours calls to David J. Seeley, an attorney representing Brando's estate, and Brando's personal attorney, Benjamin Brin, were not immediately returned.
Deborah Brando accused producer Mike Medavoy and fellow executors Larry J. Dressler and Avra Douglas of executing a forged codicil to Marlon Brando's will days before his death in July 1, 2004.
"The will was forged ... designed to separate and alienate (Deborah Brando) from others in Marlon Brando's close and extended family, friends, and business acquaintances, and to keep them from challenging the will or trust," the lawsuit said.
Christian Brando was the eldest of the actor's nine children, according to a will the Oscar-winner left following his death in 2004. Christian Brando's mother was actress Anna Kashfi. She and Marlon Brando divorced after a year.
By Daisy Nguyen