Casey Kasem, the legendary American DJ and host of American Top 40, will finally be laid to rest, but thousands of miles from the country that loved the sound of his voice. Instead, Kasem will be buried in Norway’s capital, Oslo.
Earlier this week, it was rumored that his body may be moved to Europe, with Oslo as a possible resting place. Kasem’s body is already outside of the U.S., residing in a Montreal funeral home. It has been two months since his death at the age of 82 on June 15.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Norway’s VG newspaper reported that government official Wenche Madsen Eriksson had confirmed that Kasem will be buried there. However, the report did not confirm which cemetery or crematorium his widow, Jean Kasem, picked.
Kerri Kasem, Kasem’s daughter from his previous marriage, hired a private investigator who confirmed to THR that the VG report is true. Kasem’s final resting place will be in Oslo.
Jean has been embroiled in a family feud with Kasem’s children since before he died. A Washington state judge had placed a restraining order, but she ignored that by moving the body to Montreal. Kerri’s spokesman, Danny Deraney, told THR that she has no idea what Jean plans on doing.
“We just know that she wants to keep Casey away from [his] family and friends and by the looks of it, hiding from law enforcement,” Deraney said.
Mike Kasem, Kerri’s brother, told THR that he has no idea why Jean picked Oslo. She has never mentioned any connections with the city and he knows his father doesn’t have any links there.
“Check the exhumation laws there; sounds like a possibility that is the reason she will bury him there,” he said. “My dad deserves to be buried where he specifically asked to be buried: Forest Lawn. Everyone keeps asking for motives as to why Jean acts how she acts. I don't have an answer.”
image courtesy of Walter McBride/INFphoto.com