Casey Kasem has passed away ~ Rest in peace, Casey

[Annie1004]

While this case reeks of elder abuse, I am sure there is much more to the story. Since Casey and Jean have been married a long time, she is entitled to the community property accumulated during their marriage. Further, the Kasems would more than likely have a family trust in place with his considerable estate.

These cases happen all the time: children from the first marriage are often at odds with their step parents, and I don't blame them. It is amazing how money can divide a family under normal circumstances. I went through it with my brother and sister over our mother who died due to advanced Parkinson's. Neither one visited her more than once every six months ("it's too depressing") while I spent every weekend with Mom over a three-plus-year period. Further, I had a 200-mile round trip, and my siblings lived much closer.

When Mom died, there was no court battle because everything was set out in the family trust (which my younger sister managed to have herself named as the trustee during the time Mom suffered from Parkinson's-related dementia). My lawyer said for me to forget about it; too petty, so I did. Some of Mom's jewelry and other valuables disappeared, but the $ were paid out equally to the three of us.

I am still stunned at how money really does destroy families (the greedy ones). It happened to me. My happiness lies in knowing I helped make Mom's last days pleasant. No regrets at all.

 

[LinasK]

Interesting thought, but not to give his children and brother the opportunity to see him once before, if only on a pretense if she didn't want to debate it? What person would do this unless they completely lacked compassion? And one would need to be compassionate to go to the lengths of euthanasia. (Without compassion, it would be called something else, IYKWIM.)

IMO, this looks like a classic sign of abuse: isolate, deny access, control.

Yes, this is what I see too coming from Jean, it's been going on for years her jealousy of his first family, not that they are out to get his money. I feel the heartbreak of Kerri and her brother. I know what it's like, when my dad had his heart attack and I was too far away, and wasn't even allowed to talk to him by phone. A cousin of mine too pity and smuggled a phone into him so that I could talk to him, not knowing if it would be the last time...

 

[gitana1]

I am sure it has been mentioned upthread, but I would not be entirely surprised if he had headed abroad where voluntary euthanasia/assisted suicide is legal. It is a hot topic frequently discussed within the parkinsons community (I have relatives suffering with the disease). This may be out of left field - I know nothing of Mr. Kasem other than his fabulous radio voice, and I do not want to start a moral discussion - just adding my two cents as this reminded me of some local matters (i.e. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-couple-travelled-to-switzerland-so-husband-could-die-1.1396907).


When I read the headline this is what immediately came to mind for me.

ETA: Just wanted to add that I don't think this counts as an "explanation" -- there are still remaining issues of his wife's control, being severed from his children, etc. Just contributing to the conversation as a whole

Involuntary euthanasia is illegal everywhere and generally considered murder. Voluntary euthanasia is legal on in Belgium and Netherlands. I highly doubt it is available to non-citizens.

Assisted suicide is legal or decriminalized in the US in Oregon, Washington, California, Vermont, New Mexico and Montana as well as Mexico, Thailand, Estonia and part of Australia.

 

[Jacie Estes]

What did Casey Kasem want? We don't know what his wishes and thoughts were when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. We don't know what is in his Advance Directive. Perhaps he wants to choose how his life ends. Abuse was reported in 2013 by the daughters and Adult Protective Services found their claim had no basis. Casey and Jean have been married since 1980, that is 34 years. As his wife, what if she is just following his wishes?

At a hearing Oct. 15, Jean Kasem struck back. Although she never appeared in court, her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, declared that a document signed by Casey Kasem in 2011 had given his wife power of attorney, superseding the 2007 conservatorship.

"My dad set up a trust for us with our mom when their marriage ended," says Mike. "We don't know much about it. Ever since we realized that there's going to be no relationship with our stepmom, none of us has really been expecting anything. We knew that we better go make our own money. It's so much more important to be happy and have family."

Kerri and Julie reported their suspicions to Adult Protective Services. The authorities found no evidence of abuse or neglect.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/casey-kasem-sad-strange-family-678902

 

[Davia18]

I really hope he is found so that his kids can be by his side.

 

[Jacie Estes]

So... if he's on an indian reservation, would that give this lawyer the legal room to say he's "not in the US" while he's on the reservation, because of the sovereign nature of the reservation lands? I'm sure someone else has suggested it.

TRIBAL COURT HANDBOOK
FOR THE
26 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES
IN
WASHINGTON STATE

This handbook was prepared by the Washington State Forum to Seek Solutions to Jurisdictional Conflicts Between Tribal and State Courts. The Forum is a component of the Civil Jurisdiction of Tribal Courts and State Courts: Research and Leadership Consensus Building Project funded by the State Justice Institute (Grant no. 90-14X-B-013), administered by the National Center for State Courts, and sponsored by the Conference of Chief Justices. The Supreme Court of Washington provided additional assistance to the Forum. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the grantor or grantee.

http://www.msaj.com/papers/handbook.htm

 

[JerseyGirl]

Kerri Kasem said she and sister Julie saw their father on on May 6 with the help of an attorney.

“They let me and my sister in to see him and it was a wonderful visit. My dad said, ‘I love you,’” she said. “Dad was animated. He was smiling. He moved his arms a little bit. He knew we were there.

“When we went to leave, we said, ‘Dad, we’ll be back soon. We’ll be back soon.’ That’s when he looked up at us and was able to say the word, ‘When?’ We said, ‘Dad, as soon as we can.’”

Kerri Kasem said after the visit, his wife Jean Kasem moved the former radio host in the middle of the night.

_____

Kasem, 82, suffers from Lewy Body disease, according to a rep for his family, can no longer speak and has been in various medical facilities chosen by his wife.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...ghter-saw-him-last-week-and-it-was-wonderful/

 

[Flutterby80]

Kerri Kasem said she and sister Julie saw their father on on May 6 with the help of an attorney.

“They let me and my sister in to see him and it was a wonderful visit. My dad said, ‘I love you,’” she said. “Dad was animated. He was smiling. He moved his arms a little bit. He knew we were there.

“When we went to leave, we said, ‘Dad, we’ll be back soon. We’ll be back soon.’ That’s when he looked up at us and was able to say the word, ‘When?’ We said, ‘Dad, as soon as we can.’”

Kerri Kasem said after the visit, his wife Jean Kasem moved the former radio host in the middle of the night.

_____

Kasem, 82, suffers from Lewy Body disease, according to a rep for his family, can no longer speak and has been in various medical facilities chosen by his wife.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...ghter-saw-him-last-week-and-it-was-wonderful/

Well someone isn't telling the truth then. Daughter says he spoke to her on May 6, family rep says he can no longer speak.

 

[dillysmom11]

What did Casey Kasem want? We don't know what his wishes and thoughts were when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. We don't know what is in his Advance Directive. Perhaps he wants to choose how his life ends. Abuse was reported in 2013 by the daughters and Adult Protective Services found their claim had no basis. Casey and Jean have been married since 1980, that is 34 years. As his wife, what if she is just following his wishes?

At a hearing Oct. 15, Jean Kasem struck back. Although she never appeared in court, her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, declared that a document signed by Casey Kasem in 2011 had given his wife power of attorney, superseding the 2007 conservatorship.

"My dad set up a trust for us with our mom when their marriage ended," says Mike. "We don't know much about it. Ever since we realized that there's going to be no relationship with our stepmom, none of us has really been expecting anything. We knew that we better go make our own money. It's so much more important to be happy and have family."

Kerri and Julie reported their suspicions to Adult Protective Services. The authorities found no evidence of abuse or neglect.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/casey-kasem-sad-strange-family-678902

This was my first thought, that Jean is protecting her husband. Until I saw the photos of the protest to include; long time friends, his own children, and his siblings. That isn't protection. Mr. Kasem, regardless of his mental state, should have every opportunity to spend his last days with those he loves, and those who love him.

 

[Jacie Estes]

This was my first thought, that Jean is protecting her husband. Until I saw the photos of the protest to include; long time friends, his own children, and his siblings. That isn't protection. Mr. Kasem, regardless of his mental state, should have every opportunity to spend his last days with those he loves, and those who love him.

Kasem chose to give his wife power of attorney, superseding a conservatorship that named his daughter, not Julie, and her husband. Kasem was very involved in: "But the two issues that consumed him more than any others were continuing violence in the Middle East and discrimination against Arab-Americans." [from link below] Even though he was born in Detroit, perhaps he wanted to be in Lebanon where his parents were from. Another thought is that it is the kids that keep going to court and even now, when he is in such ill health, they are back in court. For all we know, that is upsetting to him. In 2011, he chose to make Jean the one in control; he did that for a reason. The kids, they are in their 30s+, keep saying it isn't for the money but I have my doubts. IMHO

"At a hearing Oct. 15, Jean Kasem struck back. Although she never appeared in court, her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, declared that a document signed by Casey Kasem in 2011 had given his wife power of attorney, superseding the 2007 conservatorship."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-family-678902

 

[sherbetjello]

This has been news (at least on CNN) for the past 24 hours. That Kasem's wife, if I should even call her that, hasn't gotten a phone call saying "um, you should come back now because there is a bit of trouble" blows my mind. I know that the call has been made (his children began this probe last week), so it's pretty crazy his wife isn't coming forward to say he is okay.

Doesn't his daughter have custody of his care now?

(She did get temporary custody, so that's saying something.)

http://blogs.findlaw.com/celebrity_...ts-a-conservator-but-whereabouts-unknown.html

 

[dillysmom11]

Jacie, I get all that. But why ostracize every friend and family member?

 

[Hejlena]

Kasem chose to give his wife power of attorney, superseding a conservatorship that named his daughter, not Julie, and her husband. Kasem was very involved in: "But the two issues that consumed him more than any others were continuing violence in the Middle East and discrimination against Arab-Americans." [from link below] Even though he was born in Detroit, perhaps he wanted to be in Lebanon where his parents were from. Another thought is that it is the kids that keep going to court and even now, when he is in such ill health, they are back in court. For all we know, that is upsetting to him. In 2011, he chose to make Jean the one in control; he did that for a reason. The kids, they are in their 30s+, keep saying it isn't for the money but I have my doubts. IMHO

"At a hearing Oct. 15, Jean Kasem struck back. Although she never appeared in court, her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, declared that a document signed by Casey Kasem in 2011 had given his wife power of attorney, superseding the 2007 conservatorship."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-family-678902

How in the world can someone under conservatorship legally sign power of attorney papers? Am I misunderstanding something?

 

[Jacie Estes]

This has been news (at least on CNN) for the past 24 hours. That Kasem's wife, if I should even call her that, hasn't gotten a phone call saying "um, you should come back now because there is a bit of trouble" blows my mind. I know that the call has been made (his children began this probe last week), so it's pretty crazy his wife isn't coming forward to say he is okay.

Doesn't his daughter have custody of his care now?

(She did get temporary custody, so that's saying something.)

http://blogs.findlaw.com/celebrity_...ts-a-conservator-but-whereabouts-unknown.html

BBM The Kasem's were married for 34 years, she wasn't some golddigger who just came into their father's life. I think this is also about animosity between a stepmother and stepchildren. She holds eleven patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, all pertaining to crib and canopy design, developed for her crib business, Little Miss Liberty Round Crib Company. http://www.in.com/jean-kasem/biography-330726.html

 

[Jacie Estes]

Jacie, I get all that. But why ostracize every friend and family member?

If your husband, who you have been married to for 34 years, has particular wishes for his final affairs, would you acquiesce to others or do what he requested? At this point, it is about Casey, not what everyone else wants.

The court will now determine his whereabouts and state of his health. For the kids to hold protests in front of the house and keep dragging them into court is wrong. IMHO I have been a caregiver for terminally ill family members, an ongoing circus is the last thing any of them wanted.

 

[Jacie Estes]

How in the world can someone under conservatorship legally sign power of attorney papers? Am I misunderstanding something?

After a court found that a 2011 document granting power of attorney to Jean Kasem superceded the earlier directive, two of Kasem's three children reached a confidential agreement with Jean Kasem, and all three children were permitted to see their father.

http://blogs.findlaw.com/celebrity_...mpaign=Feed:+CelebJustice+(Celebrity+Justice)

 

[sherbetjello]

BBM The Kasem's were married for 34 years, she wasn't some golddigger who just came into their father's life. I think this is also about animosity between a stepmother and stepchildren. She holds eleven patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, all pertaining to crib and canopy design, developed for her crib business, Little Miss Liberty Round Crib Company. http://www.in.com/jean-kasem/biography-330726.html

I realize how long they are married, but wouldn't any sane woman try to make amends after that long, especially with the children, so that they can have some sort of functioning family?

Call me old fashioned, but I see this pretty dysfunctional as a whole. Tack on that this man is sick and can't speak for himself, that he does or doesn't want to see/be around/include his children, is ANOTHER factor.

Taking the man away from everything, for whatever reason, seems a little . . . well, odd, no? Seems he might even be on his deathbed (media is reading like he is in hospice) and he is being held/kept away from his children? No matter what they did?

And we wonder why the children are acting irrational and hostile sometimes?

Is there a pattern here yet?

(***I would also like to note that nothing I posted earlier brought up his current wife being a gold digger. Nothing I said even swayed into that arena.***)

 

[dillysmom11]

If your husband, who you have been married to for 34 years, has particular wishes for his final affairs, would you acquiesce to others or do what he requested? At this point, it is about Casey, not what everyone else wants.

The court will now determine his whereabouts and state of his health. For the kids to hold protests in front of the house and keep dragging them into court is wrong. IMHO I have been a caregiver for terminally ill family members, an ongoing circus is the last thing any of them wanted.

Again, yes, I do understand that. I'm in full agreement that his wife should have the final word regarding his care. I'm not quick to judge her actions, because we really don't know anything.

However.

Keeping him from his children, siblings and long time friends (the "circus"), is uncalled for. If, indeed, they've only had ONE visit since last fall- that's despicable.

 

[gitana1]

What did Casey Kasem want? We don't know what his wishes and thoughts were when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. We don't know what is in his Advance Directive. Perhaps he wants to choose how his life ends. Abuse was reported in 2013 by the daughters and Adult Protective Services found their claim had no basis. Casey and Jean have been married since 1980, that is 34 years. As his wife, what if she is just following his wishes?

At a hearing Oct. 15, Jean Kasem struck back. Although she never appeared in court, her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, declared that a document signed by Casey Kasem in 2011 had given his wife power of attorney, superseding the 2007 conservatorship.

"My dad set up a trust for us with our mom when their marriage ended," says Mike. "We don't know much about it. Ever since we realized that there's going to be no relationship with our stepmom, none of us has really been expecting anything. We knew that we better go make our own money. It's so much more important to be happy and have family."

Kerri and Julie reported their suspicions to Adult Protective Services. The authorities found no evidence of abuse or neglect.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/casey-kasem-sad-strange-family-678902

The terms they are using are incorrect. The proper terms are power of attorney or advanced health care directives.

What is telling, however, is that in 2007, he chose to grant his children power of attorney over him if he couldn't make decisions for himself, rather than his wife of then 30 years. So we know what his wishes were at that point.

Maybe that's why his wife is now hiding him, moving him and keeping his loved ones from him. The only people I know who have done something like that - keeping a man or woman from his entire family and even friends - have been those after money.

Kasem chose to give his wife power of attorney, superseding a conservatorship that named his daughter, not Julie, and her husband. Kasem was very involved in: "But the two issues that consumed him more than any others were continuing violence in the Middle East and discrimination against Arab-Americans." [from link below] Even though he was born in Detroit, perhaps he wanted to be in Lebanon where his parents were from. Another thought is that it is the kids that keep going to court and even now, when he is in such ill health, they are back in court. For all we know, that is upsetting to him. In 2011, he chose to make Jean the one in control; he did that for a reason. The kids, they are in their 30s+, keep saying it isn't for the money but I have my doubts. IMHO

"At a hearing Oct. 15, Jean Kasem struck back. Although she never appeared in court, her attorney, Marshall B. Grossman, declared that a document signed by Casey Kasem in 2011 had given his wife power of attorney, superseding the 2007 conservatorship."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-family-678902

They have been to court twice. There is zero to suggest that Kasem had other than a strong bond with his children. Or brother. Or friends. All of whom are being kept from him.

I note that Kasem is reported to have been losing his cognitive abilities this past summer and his ability to communicate. The last advanced health care directive was signed closer to the time his illness was acknowledged rather than earlier. That is significant to me. Often people begin feeling the effects of dementia long before it is diagnosed.

How in the world can someone under conservatorship legally sign power of attorney papers? Am I misunderstanding something?

He was not under a conservatorship, to my knowledge, when he signed the papers in 2011. It appears he signed papers determining who would be his conservator should he lose th ability to decide for himself.

BBM The Kasem's were married for 34 years, she wasn't some golddigger who just came into their father's life. I think this is also about animosity between a stepmother and stepchildren. She holds eleven patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, all pertaining to crib and canopy design, developed for her crib business, Little Miss Liberty Round Crib Company. http://www.in.com/jean-kasem/biography-330726.html

I don;t care that this woman has patents. That doesn't equate to self sufficiency. The kids seem self sufficient though. One is married to a doctor, one is broadcaster and has been a radio and show host for several ventures, and one works in Singapore.

Also, the wife's business doesn't seem that successful (or busy) of a company, to me: http://crib.com/offline.aspx

That's her website.

If your husband, who you have been married to for 34 years, has particular wishes for his final affairs, would you acquiesce to others or do what he requested? At this point, it is about Casey, not what everyone else wants.

The court will now determine his whereabouts and state of his health. For the kids to hold protests in front of the house and keep dragging them into court is wrong. IMHO I have been a caregiver for terminally ill family members, an ongoing circus is the last thing any of them wanted.

They have brought this matter to court twice. The first time, the issue was settled. But the wife clearly violated that settlement as the children have been denied the right to see their dad. Th second time, the wife didn;t bother to show up or reveal the whereabouts of her sick, elderly husband. And significantly, the kids were granted an emergency conservatorship.

If some woman was keeping me from my parent, I'd do more than create an "ongoing circus". I'd probably be in jail.

After a court found that a 2011 document granting power of attorney to Jean Kasem superceded the earlier directive, two of Kasem's three children reached a confidential agreement with Jean Kasem, and all three children were permitted to see their father.

http://blogs.findlaw.com/celebrity_justice/2014/05/casey-kasem-gets-a-conservator-but-whereabouts-unknown.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CelebJustice+%28Celebrity+Justice%29

As stated above, Jean Kasem breached that agreement. And here we are.

[quote]

The legendary DJ, who hosted America's Top 40 from 1970 for three decades has not been heard from in months.
According to TMZ, Jean called police in an effort to get get the children, plus a group of Casey's friends and co-workers, away from the property.Meanwhile, Casey's brother, who hasn't spoken to Jean in the 33 years since her marriage to the DJ, said Jean has had a 'strained' relationship with her stepchildren for 'years.'​

He held up a placard which read: 'I miss my brother.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...ldren-seriously-ill-father.html#ixzz31fBF58nV
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook[/quote]

So everyone - the kids, his brother, his co-workers - they are all nuts but the wife who he, in 2007, after 30 years of marriage, didn;t want making medical decisions for him, who has kept moving the elderly, ill man, who is estranged from her husband's brother and children, who breached a settlement agreement, who is hiding her husband from his family and who had the rights to make decisions for her husband stripped recently, due to allegations of neglect, she's the only one telling the truth?

I love you a lot Jacie and respect your opinions and wisdom. You are a smart one but on this I think, respectfully, you may be missing the boat!

 

[PPKik]

Again, yes, I do understand that. I'm in full agreement that his wife should have the final word regarding his care. I'm not quick to judge her actions, because we really don't know anything.

However.

Keeping him from his children, siblings and long time friends (the "circus"), is uncalled for. If, indeed, they've only had ONE visit since last fall- that's despicable.

I agree that it is truly despicable what this woman has done, and one would have to ask the question "Why?" Why would she move him just so his children and other family could not see him? He is likely terrified and disoriented. People with dementia need to be in familiar surroundings to feel safe and not feel agitated and more confused (http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-long-distance-caregiving.asp)

“When we went to leave, we said, ‘Dad, we’ll be back soon. We’ll be back soon.’ That’s when he looked up at us and was able to say the word, ‘When?’ We said, ‘Dad, as soon as we can.’”

Kerri Kasem said after the visit, his wife Jean Kasem moved the former radio host in the middle of the night.

“She had no authority as a healthcare agent or his wife to move him out of the facility without a doctor's consent,” Kerri Kasem's attorney, Martha Patterson, told Closer. “I cannot imagine someone in his condition being carried out without proper medical equipment.”

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...ghter-saw-him-last-week-and-it-was-wonderful/

We do know that in 2007 he gave his daughter, Julie, and her husband, power of attorney over his health. That suggests to me that he did not trust his wife with his health care.

"We tried everything to get her [Jean Kasem] to let us see him when she stopped bringing him over to the house. She had an assistant bring him over to the house so we could see him every weekend. She stopped. My sister went there, knocked on the door and she was escorted off the property."

The petition last year said that Julie Kasem and her husband had been unable to check on Kasem's health even though her father signed papers in 2007 giving them the power of attorney over his heath care in the event he was unable to make his own health decisions.

They "have been prevented from exercising their duties" by Jean Kasem, who has been married to the retired radio host for three decades, the filing said.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/13/showbiz/casey-kasem-conservatorship/