Advertise on podcast: Autopsy: The Last Hours Of…

One of the most brilliant performers of his generation, George Michael’s music career spanned 35 years. Following global fame with the pop group Wham!, his solo career sent him into the stratosphere. But the death of both his lover and mother, along with the pressures of keeping his sexuality a secret, took their toll. Conflicted and depressed, Michael turned to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain. His slide into self-destruction led to his sudden death at the age of 53. Now expert pathologist and coroner, Dr. Michael Hunter, investigates what was going on in the singer’s body that caused him to die so suddenly and at such a young age.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/ 

Canadian actor, Corey Haim, was the poster boy for 1980’s Hollywood. As a teen idol, he starred in “The Lost Boys”, “Lucas”, and “License to Drive.” But his fast lifestyle also led the young actor to his first encounters with drugs and alcohol. What followed were years of cocaine addiction, prescription drug abuse and a waning career. Then on March 10, 2010, Haim was found unconscious in the apartment he shared with his mother. He died that night of what was rumored to be an accidental overdose. Now forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter examines Corey’s autopsy report to dispel the rumors, and reveal the real cause of the actor’s tragic and untimely death at the age of 38.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

The legendary singer-songwriter behind “Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High” was one of America's biggest selling artists in the 1970’s. The fresh-faced superstar wrote nearly 200 songs and sold over 35 million albums and spent his free time as a private aviator. But on the afternoon of October 12, 1997, John Denver crashed his Rutan Long-EZ experimental plane into the Pacific Ocean. The unexplained disaster led to revelations about Denver’s drug and alcohol abuse as well as mental health issues. But the investigation was hindered by the fact that only fragments of Denver’s plane and parts of his body were recovered from the ocean. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case into the mystery of what caused John Denver’s fatal plane crash.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

On May 16th 1984, comedian Andy Kaufman, died from a rare form of lung cancer when he was 35 years old. Renowned for his eccentric comedy sketches on Saturday Night Live, he went on to gain international fame for his character “Latka,” the goofy mechanic, in the 70’s sitcom Taxi. A master of invention, he told friends he was going to fake his own death, leading some to believe he never really died. In this podcast, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, examines Andy Kaufman’s medical history to uncover what caused the disease that killed this comic genius at such a young age. Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

Actress Rue McClanahan was beloved for playing the sassy Southern Belle, “Blanche Devereaux,” on TV’s The Golden Girls. But behind the smiles, Rue’s life was blighted by heartbreak, disease and reported near-death experiences. Her cause of death was officially called a stroke—an event most commonly caused by a blood clot in the brain. But Rue was taking the drug Warfarin, a powerful anticoagulant prescribed to prevent blood clots. So why did the actress die of a stroke at the age of 76? World renowned Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter digs in to analyze every detail of of the actress’ medical history to reveal if other drugs played a part in the mystery of what killed Rue McClanahan. Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/

Gary Coleman soared to success in the hit 80's TV show, "Diff'rent Strokes," but at the height of his fame he was plagued by health problems and when his career stalled he hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/ 

On July 1st 1991, actor Michael Landon passed away at his Malibu home just three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 54. Michael had spent his life defying the odds to become a renowned television superstar as “Joe Cartwright” in Bonanza. He went on to write, produce, direct and star in family favorites like Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. But only 12 weeks after his cancer diagnosis, Michael Landon was dead. Now world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter digs deep into Michael’s past to reveal why he developed the disease in the first place and why he died so quickly. Dr. Hunter also uncovers Landon’s potentially lethal addictions and a link to one of the worst nuclear disasters in U.S. history.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/ 

On June 19th 2013, actor James Gandolfini died of a heart attack while vacationing in Rome. A famously intense character actor, Gandolfini became a household name for playing mob boss “Tony Soprano” in the HBO series, The Sopranos. But dedication to his craft took a deep toll on the actor, and rumors of addiction and an eating disorder followed him throughout his career. Now expert pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is examining Gandolfini’s medical history to discover which of these led to the heart attack that killed him at 51.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

The Last Hours of… Bernie Mac - Bernie Mac was one of the best-loved stand-up comedians of his generation. He worked his way out of poverty through years of performing in Chicago clubs before hitting the big time as part of Def Comedy Jam in the early 90’s. After touring relentlessly, Mac found mainstream success in Hollywood with movie roles and a primetime TV show. But in July 2008, at the height of his career, he was hospitalized with pneumonia. After 3 weeks in intensive care he died at 50. Now, Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at the death of this unique performer who was loved by millions.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

On August 6th 2004, the music world was stunned when the outrageous and funk music star behind “Superfreak,” Rick James, was found dead by his housekeeper in his LA home at 56. In the 1980’s James lived the classic rock-n-roll lifestyle fueled by sex and cocaine. But his excesses took a dark turn in 1991 when charges of kidnapping, assault and torture sent him to prison. Upon release, he turned his life around but then things went terribly wrong once again. Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating the cause of Rick James’ death using his autopsy report, witness statements and first-hand accounts to reveal what killed The King of Punk Funk.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

July 29th 1974. Singer Cass Elliot was found dead in a London flat. She was 32 years old and her death shocked the world. One of the most memorable figures of the hippie music scene, Elliot rose to fame in the The Mamas and The Papas, who took the world by storm with their harmonies in hits like ‘California Dreamin’. But her death fueled speculation and rumor. Was it an overdose, a complication caused by obesity? Or were the reports that she choked on a ham sandwich true? World renowned Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Hunter cuts through the speculation and takes a fresh look at the evidence to find out what really killed Cass Elliot.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/  

On September 27th, 2017, Playboy Magazine founder and media magnate Hugh Hefner died at his world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills. Hef’s death certificate lists cardiac arrest. But he was incredibly fit for a 91-year old, still at the head of the Playboy Empire, and still hosting huge Hollywood parties. So what happened? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter analyzes the details in Hefner’s autopsy along with first-hand reports to piece together what was really going on in Hef’s body on the day he died.  Like what you hear and want more true crime and mystery? Go to https://www.reelz.com/podcasts/