Casey Kasem, the most widely-recognized voice on radio, and host of America’s Top 40 for many a decade, is in serious condition. The 81-year-old suffers from advanced Parkinson’s Disease, and is homebound, in the care of his wife of 33 years, Jean. But reportedly, Jean and her stepkids, if you can call them that as adults, have a long nasty history, and Casey’s children aren’t allowed in to see him at all, according to TMZ.
Kerri, Julie, and Mike, Casey’s three oldest children, were with a group of Casey’s friends, family, and former co-workers outside his Holmby Hills (a swanky neighborhood in Los Angeles next to Beverly Hills) home. The small group of protesters were standing around, holding signs that read “Let Casey See His Kids,” and “Why?” when Jean called the police to have them driven off yesterday. Apparently Casey hasn’t been heard from in three months and his children are extremely concerned and agitated.
Casey’s brother says that he hasn’t spoken to Jean in the 33 years that she has been married to Casey, and Kerri, 41, Casey’s daughter, says it’s not at all about the money. They knew long ago that they are not included in their dad’s will. They just want to see their dad and make sure he’s ok. She wants to send a message to her dad: “Your children are here for you. We have not abandoned you.”
“Look, people fight and they don’t like each other, and that’s fine. But it’s cruel to keep us from seeing our dad,” she told the New York Daily News. “We don’t want any money from Jean. We don’t care about that. We were raised well, and we support ourselves.”
“My dad is very sick, and we have been completely shut off from him for the last three months,” she said. “There is no money issue here, we just want to see our dad. We love him, and everyone knows his kids and grandkids are a source of joy for him.”
Kerri believes that the isolation could be making her father’s condition worse. Will the family of the radio legend be able to make amends and get along while he is still alive so that when he dies, it can be in peace? That remains to be seen.
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