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Private Notes
Whitney Houston was a singer, actress, icon and diva with a once in a generation voice that propelled her into the pop stratosphere, but no amount of talent could protect her from the demons that dragged her to her death in a Hollywood hotel bathroom at the age of just 48.
World-renowned forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd investigates the death of Michael Jackson, ‘The King of Pop’. He was the biggest-selling recording artist of all time, but when he suddenly died at just 50 years old, he left $400 million in debts and more questions than answers.
Dr Richard Shepherd investigates the death of Anna Nicole Smith. Her marriage to a billionaire 67 years her senior brought her global notoriety and started her on a downward path that led to her death in a Florida hotel room at the age of just 39.
Forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd re-examines the death of Hollywood actress and singer Brittany Murphy, using the medical details revealed in the post mortem report to shed new light on her extraordinary life and why she died. His investigation also includes the death of her husband Simon Monjack. Dr Richard Shepherd investigates the death of the Clueless and 8 Mile star in December 2009, which was due to pneumonia, anaemia and multiple drug intoxication. Dr Shepherd goes back over a 12-month period immediately before Murphy's death, discovering evidence of a woman caught in a triangle between her husband, her mother and a paranoid personality fuelled by prescription drugs. Dr Shepherd carefully picks his way through the autopsy reports and the numerous conspiracy theories that surround the case.
Forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd uses the official autopsy report to reexamine the tragic death of singer Karen Carpenter. She was known to have had a history of eating problems, but as Shepherd delves into her past and talks to those who knew her, he uncovers a world of drugs that she not only kept from the public, but also her nearest and dearest.
Following the story of renowned sex god, Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997. As a member of the rock band INXS, he was about to hit the road on tour, when his body was found with a belt around his neck in a hotel room. Dr. Richard Shephard examines the case trying to finally draw a line under what actually caused his death - was it a autoerotic asphyxiation accident or a suicide.
In the early hours of October 31, 1993, River Phoenix left his friend Johnny Depp's exclusive Los Angeles nightclub the Viper Room and started convulsing. After a number of seizures, he was officially pronounced dead by paramedics at 1.51am. With the aid of dramatic reconstruction, the post-mortem report and interviews with close friends, forensic pathologist Richard Shepherd goes back over the last few weeks of the 23-year-old actor's life to try to unravel what happened on that fateful night
Dr Richard Shepherd picks through the facts surrounding Elvis Presley's demise at his Memphis home Graceland in August 1977 at the age of 42, using testimony from the singer's childhood best friend, his cousin, and his private nurse, as well as the medical facts. The post-mortem report reveals that towards the end of his life, nearly all of Presley's vital organs were almost twice the size they should have been, and that his system was full of prescription drugs.
In 1995, the trial of American footballer-turned-actor OJ Simpson for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman was headline news around the world, with Simpson being acquitted after eight months. In this documentary, forensic pathologist Richard Shepherd goes back over the last few days of Nicole's life to try to unravel what happened on that fateful night, examining the post-mortem report and forensic evidence, as well as talking to experts and those who knew the Simpson family.
Forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd examines the events leading up to the death of actress Marilyn Monroe in August 1962, which was officially classed as a probable suicide due to an overdose of barbiturates.
Robin Williams was one of the funniest and most gifted comedians of his generation. He burst to prominence in 1978 in the hit TV sitcom Mork & Mindy and won an Oscar for Good Will Hunting in 1997. But just before midday on 11th August 2014, he’s found hanging from a belt secured to a closet door in his home in Tiburon, California. Now, Dr Richard Shepherd is piecing together the events of Robin Williams’ last hours and evidence from the autopsy report to uncover what triggered this suicide.
Natalie Wood was Hollywood’s hottest actress for her generation. She married screen legend Robert Wagner not once but twice. They were the Hollywood dream couple and enjoyed a spectacular lifestyle. But on November 29th, 1981, during what was supposed to be a relaxed weekend sailing trip, 43 year old Natalie was found dead. The cause of death was officially certified as ‘accidental drowning’ but why Natalie Wood left the yacht and drowned has never been answered: was it accident, suicide or something more sinister? Now medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries.
Phil Hartman was a comedy legend. HIs satirical impressions on Saturday Night Live ruffled the feather of America’s most powerful. On The Simpsons, his voice gave life to 18 iconic characters. He was one of America’s favorite comic actors. But in May 1998 Phil Hartman’s family home was stormed by armed police who found him shot to death in his bedroom. The horror escalates when police confirm Phil’s wife Brynn is by his side – also shot dead. Using information revealed in Phil and Brynn’s autopsy reports Dr. Michael Hunter investigates their tragic and untimely deaths.
Jim Morrison lead singer of the 1960’s band The Doors was one of rock’s most influential but controversial cult icons. His mesmerizing lyrics and vocals earned him critical acclaim and drew the admiration of an army of fans as his outrageous drink and drug fueled behavior, on and off stage, established his reputation as a rebel and trouble-maker. A biographer described him as “an angel in grace and a dog in heat”. But on July 3, 1971, Jim Morrison was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment. He was just 27. The official cause was given as heart failure but many have dismissed this finding as a “fairy tale “ and his death still inspires rumor and conspiracy theory. Now medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter re-opens the file.
The mother of megastar Kanye West, Donda West went from modest beginnings, to raise her son to be one of the biggest rappers in the world, and as his manager, became a regular attendee at the brightest parties in showbiz. In doing so she broke every stereotype about single black women raising black sons. But, on November 10, 2007, Donda West, just 58, died 24 hours after cosmetic surgery. Kanye West blamed the fatal attraction of stardom, saying, “I feel sometimes like if me and my mom never moved to Hollywood that she’d still be here.” Using information revealed in Donda’s autopsy report and in interviews with those who cared for before she died, Dr. Michael Hunter investigates her tragic and untimely death.
In March 1991, Rodney King was savagely beaten by four white police officers. The incident was caught on camera, and broadcast around the world. The four police officers were then found ‘Not Guilty’, triggering the infamous LA riots. It was King who famously called for peace, asking, “Can we all just get along?” But on Sunday June 17th 2012, King, age 47, was found by his fiancé, face down in his backyard swimming pool. Using information revealed in Rodney King’s autopsy report Dr. Michael Hunter investigates his final hours and his mysterious death.
John Belushi was a comedy genius. The gross-out characters he created in Animal House and Blues Brothers were iconic. After a meteoric rise to stardom, 33 year-old he was on the cusp of super stardom. But on March 5th, 1982 he was found dead died in Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont Hotel. Using information revealed in John Belushi’s autopsy report, Dr. Michael Hunter investigates his final days and hours to reveal the cause of his death.
Jimi Hendrix was one of the highest paid musicians in the world. At the age of 27 he had made 3 multi-million albums and had set the gold standard in rock music electric guitar. But he died in London on the September 18, 1970. The coroner concluded that he died after breathing in his own vomit. But, stating insufficient evidence of the circumstances surrounding his death, he returned an open verdict. Nearly half a century later, his death is still shrouded in mystery. Numerous conflicting accounts of his final hours have obscured the truth and fueled conspiracy theories about drugs overdose, suicide and murder. Now Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Hunter re-examines Hendrix’s death to cut through claim and counter claims and, using the medical evidence, determines precisely how he died.
The death of Maurice Gibb is examined.
The Notorious B.I.G., rapped about girls, guns and money. His rhyming skills and flow propelled him to worldwide fame. A larger than life figure from Brooklyn, New York, his raw talent lifted him from the streets. But in the early hours of March 9th 1997 The Notorious BIG was gunned down in a drive by shooting in downtown Los Angeles. For decades, police have hunted for his killer, but still no-one has been brought to trial. Using information revealed in his autopsy report and police files, Dr. Michael Hunter investigates a motive for BIG’s murder and the identity of his killer.
The death of Don Cornelius is spotlighted.
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.
