Liberace was one of the most charismatic performers of his generation. His meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s made him the highest paid entertainer in the world. His dazzling stage shows and outlandish costumes earned him a vast international following. But on February 4th, 1987, Liberace was pronounced dead at his home in Palm Springs, California. However, the circumstances surrounding the death of one of the world’s most popular entertainers are shrouded in mystery. Liberace’s doctor had signed a death certificate, giving the cause of death as cardiac arrest. But the coroner wasn’t satisfied. He suspected foul play, and two days later, ordered the body to be taken from the mortuary and subject to autopsy, while millions of fans around the world were still in mourning. So what exactly killed Liberace? Dr Jason Payne James examines the case.
