The Marilyn Monroe Connection

At only 22 years of age, Lionel "Frenchy" Grandison was a young African American man with everything. He had married his high school sweetheart, purchased a new home in Pacoima, and landed a highly coveted job at the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. His life was everything he ever hoped. Then Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe died.

Based on a true story about the coroner's deputy who investigated Marilyn Monroe's case in 1962, author and historian Crystal Jackson has released a gripping new biographical fiction novel detailing her father's transcendent story and tragic experience with Marilyn's controversial case. His incredible real-life involvement, including signing her death certificate, has been well-publicized over the years and led to the Los Angeles District Attorney's office reopening an investigation in 1982.


Jackson's eye-opening novel chronicles how her dad married the love of his life, started a family, and quickly climbed the civil service ranks to become a Deputy Coroner's Aide. He participated in high-profile death cases during the early 60s, including TV star George Reeves (Superman), comedian Ernie Kovacs, and a Muslim man named Ronald T. Stokes, who the LAPD shot in a controversial killing, leading to a confrontation with Malcolm X during the coroner's inquest.



However, on August 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe's body was found deceased, and a rush to judgment of suicide caused the young aide to question his boss after discovering her secret diary. Despite flawed and altered police reports, missing body tissues, and a deadly drug mysteriously entering her system, the chief medical examiner still forced Grandison to sign her death certificate with a ruling of probable suicide.


Jackson dives into the untold saga and ultimate betrayal faced by Grandison when dark forces at the coroner's office and elsewhere sought to take away everything dear because of what he knew. She delivers her dad's heart-wrenching story of love, corruption, deception, and his undying fight to hold onto the life he built. At the same time, influential people seek to prevent him from uncovering the truth about how the legendary Hollywood actress died.


For more information about this book, including photos and backstories, visit http://pacoimastories.com/