Casey Kasem's widow sued for wrongful death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three of legendary radio personality Casey Kasem's children have sued his widow, claiming her actions led to his death in 2014.


The wrongful death lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Jean Kasem accuses her of elder abuse and infliction of emotional distress by restricting their access to their ailing father.

A call and email sent to her attorney, H. Michael Soroy, was not immediately returned.

Los Angeles prosecutors declined to charge Jean Kasem with elder abuse in May, citing insufficient evidence.

“Our family was devastated by the District Attorney's decision not to prosecute Jean Kasem for the horrible abuse suffered by my father," daughter Kerri Kasem said in a statement issued by their public relations firm. "It will now be up to a civil jury to determine that Jean should be responsible for her actions.  Elder abuse is a serious issue that we as a society cannot turn a blind eye to.”

Casey Kasem was the longtime host of "American Top 40" and voice of Shaggy in the "Scooby-Doo" TV cartoons.

He suffered from a form of dementia and developed a severe bedsore before his death in Washington state, where Jean Kasem had taken him, citing privacy concerns.