Brando's family requests autopsy

Christian Brando's family has requested an autopsy in the light of his past drug use.

Brando, the eldest son of late actor Marlon Brando, died of pneumonia in Los Angeles on Saturday at the age of 49.

He had been hospitalised at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Centre on January 11 and was in a coma when he passed away.

Los Angeles County coroner Lt Fred Corral said the autopsy would take place later today.

Christian was Marlon Brando's son with actress Anna Kashfi, whom he divorced in 1959 after two years of marriage.

The film legend had eight other children. He died in 2004 aged 80.