Carradine death possibly accidental

BANGKOK -- Police are speculating that accidental suffocation, not suicide, may have caused the death of actor David Carradine, whose body was found in a hotel closet in the Thai capital with a rope tied to his neck, wrist and genitals.

The circumstances under which he died have led to speculation that the 72-year-old actor may have been engaged in a dangerous form of sex play known as auto-erotic asphyxiation. The practice involves temporarily cutting off the supply of oxygen to the brain to heighten the effects of a sexual climax.

Dr. Nanthana Sirisap, director of Chulalongkorn Hospital's Autopsy Center, told reporters that an autopsy was conducted because of the "unusual circumstances surrounding Carradine's death."

Police Lt. Teerapop Luanseng had said Thursday that Carradine's body was found "naked, hanging in a closet," and police at that time suspected suicide. However, no suicide note has been found.

Carradine's body was later taken to an undisclosed location by U.S. Embassy representatives. Its repatriation to the United States is expected to be in the next few days.

Carradine -- best known for the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" -- had flown to Thailand last week and began work on a film titled "Stretch" two days before his death, said Tiffany Smith of Binder & Associates, his management company. He had several other projects lined up.

Monica Donati, spokesman for the French film company MK2, which was making "Stretch," said in statement that the film crew was "clearly shocked" by Carradine's death but would finish shooting. Carradine had only three more days of filming left, she said.