Officials are trying to determine whether record breaking heat waves in Los Angeles may have contributed to the death of 56-year-old film editor Sally Menke.
Menke was reported missing by friends after she failed to return from a Monday afternoon walk with her dog. Law enforcement sources speaking to the Los Angeles Times on the condition of anonymity say they believe that Menke became disoriented due to the extreme temperatures, and collapsed in Bronson Canyon, where she later died. Her body was found early Tuesday in a ravine, not far from where her car was parked. Menke’s dog, who accompanied her on the hike, was found nearby, still alive.
The New York Times quoted an earlier essay of Menke’s where she discusses her reaction in learning she was selected to work on the movie Reservoir Dogs :
“I got in touch, and he sent me this script for a thing called ‘Reservoir Dogs,’ ” she wrote, “and I just thought it was amazing. It floored me.” She added: “I was hiking up in Canada on a remote mountain in Banff when I saw a phone box, and I stopped to call L.A. and they confirmed I’d got the gig. I let out a yell that echoed around the mountain.”
Of his work with Menke, Tarantino said:
“I write by myself… but when it comes to the editing I write with Sally.”
Tarantino was scheduled to be the guest of honor at a Friars Club Roast this weekend in New York. That event was postponed following the news of Menke’s death.
