Carol Wayne was a popular actress and comedian who appeared regularly on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as the Matinee Lady in the Art Fern’s Tea Time Movie sketches. She also had roles in several films and TV shows, such as The Party, I Spy, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie. She was known for her bubbly personality and her blonde bombshell image.
However, her life came to a tragic and mysterious end in 1985, when she was found drowned in a bay in Mexico. What really happened to Carol Wayne? Here are some facts and theories about her cause of death.
Carol Wayne Cause of Death: How Did Carol Wayne Die?
Carol Wayne died on January 13, 1985, at the age of 42, under mysterious and suspicious circumstances. She was found drowned in the bay of Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico, where she had gone for a vacation with her companion, Edward Durston. Durston was either a Los Angeles car dealer or a horror movie director, depending on the source.
He was also the last person to be with Diane Linkletter, the daughter of TV host Art Linkletter, who died after falling from a window in 1969. According to some reports, Wayne and Durston had a heated argument at the Las Hadas Resort where they were staying, and Wayne decided to take a walk on the beach to cool off.
She never returned to the hotel, and Durston checked out the next day, leaving her luggage at the airport with a note that she would pick it up later. He flew back to Los Angeles without notifying anyone about her disappearance.
Three days later, a fisherman found her body floating in the water. There were no signs of foul play, drugs, or alcohol in her system. The Mexican authorities ruled her death as an accidental drowning, but many people doubted this verdict.
She passed away at the age of 41, and her death was said to be an accidental drowning:
Was thinking about Carol Wayne the other day. Had forgotten she appeared on The Tonight Show over 100 times! Did a lot of game shows like Hollywood Squares, always sticking to her well-known “blonde” persona. Died at age 41 with her death ruled an accidental drowning. pic.twitter.com/bDCFVbfcwn
— Classic Film TV Cafe (@classic_film) September 3, 2020
What Was Carol Wayne Doing in Mexico?
Carol Wayne was on vacation with her boyfriend, Edward Durston, at the Las Hadas Resort in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico, in January 1985. Durston was a car salesman from Los Angeles, who had a shady past. He was the last person to see Diane Linkletter, the daughter of TV host Art Linkletter, alive before she jumped from a window in 1969. He was also involved in drug trafficking and gambling, according to some sources.
On January 10, 1985, Wayne and Durston had a heated argument at the resort. Wayne decided to take a walk on the beach to cool off. She never returned to the hotel. Durston checked out the next day, leaving her luggage at the airport with a note that she would pick it up later. He flew back to Los Angeles without notifying anyone about her disappearance.
Why Was Carol Wayne’s Death Suspicious?
There were many suspicious circumstances surrounding Carol Wayne’s death. For one thing, Wayne was afraid of water and could not swim well. Her personal assistant said that she hated going near the water and always wore a life jacket when she had to. It was unlikely that she would go into the water voluntarily or accidentally.
Another thing that raised doubts was Durston’s behavior. He did not report her missing or try to find her. He did not cooperate with the authorities or show any concern for her fate. He claimed that he thought she had left him for another man. He also changed his story several times about what happened that night. He first said that they went to bed together after the argument, then he said that he left her alone at the bar, and then he said that he saw her walking on the beach.
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What Are Some Theories About Carol Wayne’s Death?
There are several theories and speculations about what really happened to Carol Wayne on that fateful night. Some of them are:
- Durston killed her or hired someone to kill her, possibly for money or jealousy reasons. He then dumped her body in the water and fled the country. He may have had some connections or influence in Mexico that helped him cover up his crime.
- Wayne committed suicide by drowning herself in the water, either out of depression or guilt. She may have been unhappy with her career, finances, or personal life. She may have also felt remorseful for posing nude for Playboy magazine in February 1984.
- Wayne accidentally drowned while swimming or walking in the water, either due to a strong current, a wave, or a medical condition. She may have been unfamiliar with the area or the tide patterns. She may have also suffered from a heart attack, a stroke, or an epileptic seizure that caused her to lose consciousness and sink into the water.
- Wayne was killed by someone else who had a motive or a grudge against her, such as a rival, a stalker, a fan, or a criminal. She may have been attacked, robbed, raped, or kidnapped by an unknown assailant who then disposed of her body in the water.
None of these theories have been proven or disproven conclusively. The case remains unsolved and unresolved to this day.
The Legacy of Carol Wayne
Carol Wayne’s death was a shock and a loss to many people who knew and loved her. Her family and friends mourned her and remembered her as a kind and generous person who brought joy and laughter to others. Her fans and admirers missed her presence and talent on screen and stage.
Johnny Carson, who had worked with her for many years on The Tonight Show, was deeply affected by her death. He kept the Art Fern character off the air for most of the next year after she died. He eventually hired new actresses to play the Matinee Lady role, but none of them could match Wayne’s charm and chemistry with him.
Carol Wayne’s death also sparked interest and curiosity among many people who wondered about the mystery behind it. Her story has been featured in several books, documentaries, podcasts, and articles over the years. Her life and death have become a part of the Hollywood lore and legend.
Carol Wayne was a star who shone brightly in the entertainment industry. She was a beautiful and funny woman who entertained millions of people with her wit and charisma. She was also a tragic and mysterious figure who died under mysterious and suspicious circumstances. She was Carol Wayne, the Matinee Lady.
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