Casey Kasem’s widow sued for wrongful death

LOS ANGELES – Three of radio personality Casey Kasem’s children and his brother sued his widow on Wednesday, claiming her actions led to his death in 2014.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court accuses Jean Kasem of elder abuse and inflicting emotional distress on Kasem’s children from a previous marriage by restricting access to their father before his death.

“Casey’s early death occurred as a direct and proximate result of Jean’s neglect and physical abuse of Casey,” the lawsuit states.

The longtime “American Top 40” host had a form of dementia and a severe bedsore when he died at age 82.

A call and email sent to Jean Kasem’s attorney, H. Michael Soroy, was not immediately returned.

Kerri, Julie and Michael Kasem are joined in the lawsuit by their uncle, Mouner. The lawsuit seeks more than $250,000, although a jury would have to decide any damage award.

Prosecutors earlier this year declined to charge Jean Kasem with elder abuse, a decision that Kerri Kasem said Wednesday led to her family filing the civil case.

“We would rather see her in jail than receive one dime,” Kerri Kasem said. “We don’t care about the money. We care about justice.”

The lawsuit follows years of legal wrangling between Jean Kasem and three of his adult children from a previous marriage. The groups fought over visitation access to Casey Kasem before his death in June 2014, with his daughter Kerri Kasem eventually assuming control of his medical care.