Casey Kasem's daughter to file charges against stepmother (Photo : REUTERS/LEE CELANO/FILES)
Daughter of iconic disc jockey Casey Kasem is to file charges against her stepmother in Washington State, following a ruling by Los Angeles County prosecutors who declined to file criminal abuse charges against Kasem's widow.
Prosecutors at the Los Angeles County yesterday cited insufficient evidence in a case put forward by three of Kasem's children to charge Jean Kasem with elderly abuse.
A charge sheet evaluation released to the media by the District Attorney's office and quoted by CNN revealed that Jean Kasem, the radio host's wife had ensured that her husband had been provided with constant healthcare.
Meanwhile, media reports based on the case claimed that the Los Angeles Police Department had discussed the matter with the District Attorney's Office and agreed with the decision to decline filing abuse chargers.
The host of "The American Top 40" show who passed away at the Washington State hospital six months ago was buried in Norway.
Feuding amongst family members began when Kasem, 82 deteriorated mentally owing to a common type of dementia called Lewy Body disease.
The iconic radio star's children from his first marriage claimed they were attempting to keep to their father's wishes of wanting to die peacefully surrounded by friends and family. However, Jean Kasem, the star's second wife claimed they were responsible for causing his premature demise.
When Jean Kasem relocated the radio star to Washington from Santa Monica, Kasey's daughter Kerri accused her stepmother of abuse towards her elderly father.
In June last year Kerri obtained a court order to have doctors stop her fathers intravenous infusions of food and medication. Kasem passed away a few days later.
A statement released yesterday to the media by Kerri and quoted by Billboard claimed though disappointed with the ruling she will continue to pursue charges in Washinton State against her stepmother.
During the 1970's Casey Kasem rose to fame in Lose Angeles with the "American Top 40" radio show, which had a count down of the 40 most popular songs based on the top 100 music chart put out by Billboard in the United States.
His iconic voice through which his legacy thrived, went onto voice the charcater of Shaggy in the hit cartoon series "Scooby - Doo."
