Carradine Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Against UCLA

WHO:

Vulture - Robert Carradine’s family is suing UCLA.

TMZ - The regents of the University of California are named in the lawsuit.

WHAT:

Vulture - The lawsuit accuses UCLA of wrongful death and elder abuse.

Vulture - Carradine self-harmed while in the psychiatric unit and suffered an “anoxic brain injury.”

Vulture - Carradine was in intensive care for five weeks before his death and did not wake up during that time.

TMZ - The lawsuit claims serious failures at UCLA contributed to Carradine’s death.

WHERE:

Vulture - The incident occurred at UCLA’s locked psychiatric unit.

WHEN:

NY Post - Robert Carradine died on Feb. 23, 2026, at the age of 71.

Vulture - Robert Carradine died by suicide in February of this year.

TMZ - The lawsuit was filed on a Friday.

WHY:

Vulture - The family claims the psychiatric unit failed to confiscate Carradine’s belt upon his admission and did not follow safety protocols.

Vulture - The lawsuit states that Carradine walked into the unit “feeling relieved to be hospitalized” and hoped for treatment to reduce his anxiety.

HOW:

Vulture - The lawsuit alleges that UCLA allowed Carradine to keep his belt despite his history of suicide attempts.

Vulture - The room contained a “rolling bedside table,” which was not standard in the locked psychiatric unit, and there was a failure to check on Carradine regularly.

(UPDATED August 10, 2026 02:41 UTC)

Robert Carradine has passed away at the age of 71. He died on February 23, 2026, according to the New York Post. Carradine was known for his work in film and television, leaving behind a legacy that fans will remember.

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(UPDATED August 10, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Robert Carradine’s family is suing UCLA and the regents of the University of California, accusing the institution of wrongful death and elder abuse following Carradine's tragic suicide in February. The lawsuit claims that serious failures at UCLA's locked psychiatric unit contributed to his death, including the failure to confiscate his belt despite his history of suicide attempts and inadequate safety protocols. Carradine reportedly entered the unit feeling relieved and hopeful for treatment, but he suffered an anoxic brain injury after self-harming and remained in intensive care for five weeks without regaining consciousness.