Casey Kasem's Wife Won't Face Elder Abuse Charges

Casey, Jean Kasem

There is insufficient evidence to charge Casey Kasem’s wife with elder abuse or neglect in connection with the death of the famous disc jockey, the Los Angeles County district attorney said Friday, according to the LA Times.

Kasem died last June 15 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. He died as his children and wife of 30 years, Jean, battled for control of his medical treatment and life.

Kasem’s children from his first marriage had accused his wife of neglecting and abusing their father.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Belle M. Chen concluded that Jean Kasem had made “continuous efforts to ensure that Mr. Kasem was medically supervised."

The prosecutor noted that Casey Kasem had long-standing health issues that made it impossible to prove neglect or abuse played a role in his death. To be criminally negligent, the prosecutor noted, there needs to be evidence of more than ordinary carelessness or inattention.

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Kasem died in Washington state after suffering from Lewy Body disease, a form of dementia with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

Casey Kasem at the peak of his career on "American Top 40" was heard on more than 1,000 stations in 50 countries. He was famed for his tenor voice, and also played the part of Shaggy, the mystery-solving human pal of a Great Dane in the TV cartoon series "Scooby Doo, Where Are You!"

Following the prosecutors decision, Kerri issued a statement:

“My family is very sad to learn the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has decided not to file charges against Jean Kasem. We did everything we could to save my Dad at the end of his life, including getting an emergency court order for conservatorship. But we were too late. My father’s second wife Jean had done everything she could to keep our father from us while not providing the quality care that he – and every other senior in our society – deserves. 

“We’re hopeful that the prosecutors in Kitsap County, Washington, where my father was taken against his will and later died, will do the right thing and file charges against Jean. 

“The Los Angeles County District Attorney, with her professed interest in ending elder abuse, could do more. Her website says ‘she leads the largest prosecutorial office in the nation, with nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members.’ 

“It’s a sad day in our country when our parents, family members and loved ones die at the hands of others, and our elected prosecutors elect to do nothing.”