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Letter to the editor

A death still shrouded in mystery

Ten years after her death, Diana, Princess of Wales, is still a newsmaker. During this anniversary year, a movie and a handful of books about the princess were released, Elton John's Candle in the Wind tribute was re-released, and documentaries and print media are re-examining her life and the circumstances surrounding her death. A Concert for Diana - held on what would have been her 46th birthday - attracted 60,000 people (at $90 each), and 15-million viewers in Britain and 500-million worldwide. Here is some background on Princess Diana's death. (By the way, although popularly known as Princess Diana, that was never her formal title.)

What are the basic facts?

Diana, 36, Emad Mohamed "Dodi" Al Fayed, 42, and driver Henri Paul, 41, were killed early on Aug. 31, 1997, when their Mercedes hit the 13th support pillar in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. Paul was deputy head of security at the Ritz. They had left the hotel followed by paparazzi. The only survivor, bodyguard Trevor Rees, formerly known as Rees-Jones, was badly hurt and remembers nothing of the crash.

What caused the crash?

Official French and British investigations found that Paul was drunk and had taken prescription drugs. He crashed while speeding to get away from photographers. Blood tests showed he was nearly three times over the French drunken driving level. British inquests are still open. In January 2004, the coroner asked the police to investigate conspiracy theories. His report, released in December 2006, said that the crash was a "tragic accident," and that Diana, Fayed and Paul might have survived had they worn seat belts. Full inquests, before a jury, begin in October.

And unofficially?

Mohamed Al Fayed, Dodi's father, has long claimed a conspiracy. He contends Prince Philip - husband of Queen Elizabeth II - was behind the plot, carried out by the British foreign intelligence service, MI6. The British investigation found nothing to back that up.

Among other allegations:

-Paul was not drunk. His blood samples were switched.Response: French police did a second post-mortem and got similar results. DNA analyses proved the samples were Paul's.

-A white Fiat collided with the Mercedes, forcing it into the pillar. Response: French police searched for a Fiat, but it was never found. The French concluded the Fiat made glancing contact with the Mercedes but did not cause it to crash.

-Paul worked for MI6 and deliberately crashed the car. Response: The British report found no connection with MI6, which didn't know Diana was in Paris. French police said Paul had links with the intelligence services, but at a low level.

-Diana's ambulance took a longer route to the hospital so she would die. Closer hospitals were bypassed. Response: French ambulances carry doctors so patients can be treated at the scene. They drive slowly so as not to aggravate injuries. Diana was resuscitated after two heart attacks, one while being removed from the wreckage, another on the way to the hospital. The ambulance left the tunnel about 1:30 a.m. - after a little more than an hour on scene - and arrived at the closest multiple-trauma facility at 2:06.

_Diana feared she was targeted.Response: The British report found Diana told her legal representative in 1995 about fears that she and Charles' lover, Camilla Parker Bowles, were to be "put aside." A note Diana apparently wrote outlines fears Charles wanted to clear the way to marry a woman (someone other than Parker Bowles).

Why would British royalty want to kill Diana?

Mohamed Al Fayed says his son and Diana were celebrating their engagement when they died. The establishment would have been "offended" by Diana's marriage to a rich playboy of Egyptian heritage. Fayed and others have also speculated Diana was pregnant. The British report found no evidence of an engagement or pregnancy, though Fayed picked up a ring the night of the crash.

What about the photographers chasing the car?

In February 2006, three photographers were convicted of breaking French privacy laws. A symbolic fine of one euro was imposed. Manslaughter charges were never brought against the nine photographers and a press motorcyclist.

Why does anyone care?

Why do fans still care about Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe (also often known only by their first names)? Gary A. Warner recently wrote in the Orange County Register: "She'll always be 36. Beautiful. Stylish. Wistful eyes, but sparkling smile. The center of a dysfunctional royal fairy tale with a surprise grisly ending."

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 23:15:24]