Actor David Carradine's death does not appear to have been a suicide, says a former New York City chief medical examiner asked by Carradine's family to do an independent examination of the evidence.

Dr. Michael Baden issued a statement today, saying:

"The autopsy findings and the evidence thus far available demonstrate that Mr. Carradine's death was not the result of suicide. However, to reach a final determination as to the cause and the manner of death we must wait for further information from Thailand as to the scene findings and the completion of the crime laboratory and toxicology studies that are still being performed."

Carradine was found dead last Friday. He was in the closet of a Thai hotel room, police said, with ropes tied around his neck and genitals.