Kathleen Case was a beautiful and talented actress and ballerina who appeared in several films and TV shows in the 1950s and early 1960s. She was also involved in two horrific car accidents that changed her life and ultimately led to her death. What really caused her death and why is it still a mystery?
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Early Life and Career
Kathleen Case was born on July 31, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as Catherine Walker. Her mother died three days after her birth, and she was raised by her grandmother. She started dancing professionally at the age of 11, performing with the Metropolitan Opera, the Ballet Theater, and the San Carlo Opera Company. She was also a model and a beauty queen, winning the Miss Cincinnati title in 1951.
She moved to Hollywood in 1952 and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1954. She appeared in films such as Human Desire, Last of the Pony Riders, and Running Wild. She also guest-starred in TV shows such as Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, and The Untouchables. She was considered a rising star and a sex symbol, often compared to Marilyn Monroe.
The First Car Accident
In February 1959, Case was seriously injured in a power boat accident on Lake Mead, Nevada. She was thrown from the boat and suffered multiple fractures, internal injuries, and facial lacerations. She was hospitalized for more than two months and underwent several surgeries. She later said that she felt lucky to be alive and that the accident made her appreciate life more.
However, the accident also affected her career and her personal life. She lost some of her contracts and roles due to her injuries and scars. She also broke up with her fiancé, actor John Smith, who was with her on the boat. She later dated other celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis Presley, but never married.
The Second Car Accident
On February 5, 1967, Case was driving in Hollywood when her car collided head-on with another car driven by actor Dirk Rambo, the twin brother of actor Dack Rambo. A fire erupted from the impact, killing Dirk Rambo instantly and seriously injuring his passenger, Horace H. Hester. Case managed to escape from her car with minor injuries but was arrested for felony drunken driving and manslaughter.
Two months later, a Los Angeles municipal court judge dismissed the charges against her, citing insufficient evidence. Case claimed that she was not drunk and that Rambo’s car swerved into her lane. She also said that she tried to help Rambo and Hester but was pushed away by bystanders. She expressed her sorrow and sympathy for Rambo’s family and friends.
The Death of Kathleen Case
Case never recovered from the trauma of the second car accident. She became depressed and reclusive, avoiding public appearances and interviews. She also suffered from chronic pain and insomnia. She attempted suicide several times by overdosing on pills or slashing her wrists.
On July 22, 1979, nine days before her 46th birthday, Case was found dead in her apartment in North Hollywood. The cause of death was ruled as acute barbiturate intoxication due to ingestion of an overdose of Seconal pills. The death was classified as accidental or undetermined.
However, some people suspect that Case’s death was not accidental but a suicide or a murder. They point out that Case had a history of suicidal tendencies and that she left no note or will behind. They also suggest that Case may have been killed by someone who wanted to silence her or take advantage of her estate.
The truth about Kathleen Case’s death may never be known for sure. What is certain is that she was a talented and troubled woman who lived a short and tragic life.
