Radio Music Countdown DJ Casey Kasem Missing: 'Shaggy' Voice Actor Has Parkinsons, Medical Decisions Made by Wife Jean Kasem
The whereabouts of radio legend Casey Kasem have been unknown after he was being moved from one medical facility to another, including even outside the United States, due to his serious ailments. On Monday, a judge ordered an investigation into the matter to determine the location of Kasem following reports from his wife's attorney saying that he had been taken from the country.
Judge Daniel S. Murphy of the Los Angeles Superior Court ordered the court investigator and adult protective services to locate Kasem, as well as find out where he is currently having treatments and to bring those findings back to the court. Casey Kasem, at 82 years old, suffers from advanced Parkinson's disease and has lost the ability to speak. His transfers from one medical facility to another are the choice of Jean Kasem, his wife.
Casey's children complained that they have not had the chance to see their father despite an agreement with their stepmother. Kerri Kasem, his daughter, has been appointed as her father's temporary caretaker after she sought conservatorship. Troy Martin, her attorney, added that the family believes that the radio personality has been brought to an Indian reservation somewhere in Washington state.
The judge was pushed to give an order for investigation after Craig Marcus, the attorney who represented Jean Kasem at the hearing on Monday, said that he had no knowledge of Casey Kasem's whereabouts. He said, however, that he knew that Casey had been removed from the country.
This revelation stunned Murphy and Casey's daughters. Two of his three children were from an earlier marriage.
Despite refusing to comment after the hearing, Marcus said that the wife, Jean Kasem, had all the rights to move her husband according to what she believes to be fit for him.
Casey Kasem is famous for his radio music countdown shows, and for voicing Shaggy in "Scooby Doo." With a net worth of $80 million, he is among the richest celebrities.