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What happens when vultures reach a dead body before investigators do? In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explores the gruesome world of vultures and the unexpected challenges these scavengers create during forensic investigations. From their razor-sharp beaks and powerful digestive systems to their ability to strip a carcass to the bone in just hours, vultures can dramatically alter human remains, sometimes leaving behind injuries that resemble evidence of violence. Dr. Crowns recounts two cases from his career in Texas, including a decomposing body discovered in a field and a double homicide involving cartel members. In both cases, vultures left their mark, but in one, their feeding patterns created a particularly disturbing challenge: distinguishing scavenger damage from gunshot wounds. How can medical examiners tell the difference between injuries inflicted before death and damage caused afterward? And what happens when nature interferes with a murder investigation? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once known as the “King of Poisons,” arsenic was a silent killer that fueled fear, fascination, anda wave of notorious murders. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns exploresthe deadly history of arsenic, from its shocking use in everyday Victorian products to the serialpoisoners who used it to murder their own families. We break down the chilling cases of Mary Ann Cotton and Lydia Sherman, the infamous AngelMakers of Hungary, and the poison panic that swept across the 19th century. Dr. Crowns alsoexamines how advancements in forensic toxicology finally made the once nearly undetectablepoison easier to trace, changing criminal investigations forever. How did one of history’s deadliest poisons become so widely available, and what finally broughtits reign of terror to an end? Subscribe on YouTube to see Mayhem in the Morgue on video: https://www.youtube.com/@MayhemInTheMorgue See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 1, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examined the autopsy reports of Andrew and Abby Borden and the injuries at the center of one of America’s most infamous murder cases. Now, in Part 2, he puts that evidence to the test. Using a ballistics gel head, Dr. Crowns recreates injuries described in the Borden autopsy reports to examine whether a hatchet could have produced the wounds. Then, we head inside the courtroom to explore the mysterious hatchet found at the Borden home, Lizzie’s burned dress, the unusual evidence presented at trial and why the prosecution ultimately failed to secure a conviction. Lizzie Borden walked away a free woman. More than 130 years later, the question remains: Did the jury get it right? Watch Part 1: https://youtu.be/PCgROpRvpX8  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 130 years after the brutal murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns takes a forensic look at one of America’s most infamous cold cases. Using the original autopsy reports, crime scene photographs and images of the victims’ skulls from the trial, Dr. Crowns reconstructs the injuries and examines what they reveal about the weapon, the attacks and potentially even the order of the blows. Were the wounds really “incised wounds,” as originally documented? Could the suspected shingle hatchet have produced the distinctive injuries found on both victims? And what can modern forensic pathology tell us that investigators in 1892 may have missed? Then, Dr. Crowns puts the theory to the test. In Part 2, he’ll take a hatchet to a ballistic gel head to see how the injuries compare to the original Borden autopsy findings.Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/PCgROpRvpX8 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns looks back at some of the most memorable moments from his decades as an expert witness, including courtroom exchanges like being asked "How do you walk?” and “Have you ever shot someone?” during cross-examination, along with a lengthy debate over whether an evidence envelope was yellow-tan, manila, or goldenrod. He also revisits two pro se murder trials: one involving a defendant who killed a man with a mountain bike and another involving a doomsday prepper who murdered his companion days before the world was supposed to end. As Dr. Crowns puts it, testifying is interesting for the science, the unusual questions attorneys ask, and, when a defendant chooses to represent themselves, “it’s always a circus. ” Related Episodes Mayhem in the Morgue | Tree Fall Mayhem in the Morgue | Courtroom Limbo Mayhem in the Morgue | Outburst Mayhem in the Morgue | Contempt Over a Sticky Note? Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Why forensic pathologists testify to the science, not for either side in a criminal case (1:30) Unexpected courtroom questions, including “Doctor, how do you walk?” and “Have you ever been shot?” (5:15) The courtroom debate over whether an evidence envelope was yellow-tan, manila, or goldenrod (8:30) How forensic pathologists distinguish entrance wounds from exit wounds (11:00) Sleeping jurors, double juries, and the surprise of discovering a courtroom translator (14:15) How medical examiners confirm someone is dead before beginning an autopsy (16:15) Self-represented defendants, Ted Bundy, and the challenges of pro se trials (18:30) A doomsday prepper’s murder trial, “double tap” questions, and a courtroom manifesto About the Host  Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains what happens after a body arrives in the morgue, including the external examination, internal dissection, toxicology testing, and final report. He also discusses the care taken to preserve evidence, minimize unnecessary incisions, and prepare the body for release to the funeral home. Dr. Crowns also shares some of the more surprising things he's encountered in the morgue, including hazardous body bags, hundreds of feet of intestines, and Herman, the crawfish who became a morgue mascot. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Medical versus forensic autopsies and the specialized training required to perform them (2:00) What can arrive inside a body bag, including weapons, debris, and unexpected personal belongings (3:30) How X-rays can reveal bullets, fractures, and hidden dangers before the autopsy begins (5:30) Confirming identity, preserving trace evidence, and completing the external examination (7:45) The Y-shaped incision and the hazards created by CPR and decomposition (10:00) Why toxicology samples are collected from different areas of the body (11:45) The Virchow, Rokitansky, and Letulle techniques for examining the organs (16:00) The wide range of gastric contents found at autopsy, including an unexpected crawfish named Herman (19:00) Pill paste, intact medications, and the clues that may indicate an intentional overdose (20:15) Running the bowels, becoming "Bowel Boy," and removing the brain (24:15) Microscopic testing, retained organs, and what happens before the body is released to the funeral home About the Host Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners into the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More You can learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself. Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 50th episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses the forensic realities of fatal helicopter crashes. Drawing from one of his own autopsy cases involving a rancher killed in an ultralight helicopter accident and the reported death of musician Oliver Tree, he explains how aviation fatalities are investigated, the devastating injuries caused by midair collisions, ground impact, and post-crash fires, and how medical examiners determine whether someone died before, during, or after a fire. He also examines the postmortem changes caused by extreme heat and why dental records and DNA often become the only reliable methods of identification. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Why helicopter crashes create unique forensic challenges compared to automobile accidents (1:45) A rancher’s fatal ultralight helicopter crash and the pilot error that caused it (3:15) The FAA CAMI toxicology kit and the additional testing required after aviation fatalities (7:00) The reported helicopter death of Oliver Tree and the mechanics of a deadly midair collision (10:00) How post-crash fires cause fatal burns and how burn severity is classified (13:30) The rule of nines and how doctors determine whether someone died before or during a fire (15:15) What charring, pugilistic posture, thermal fractures, and heat-induced epidural hematomas reveal during an autopsy (19:30) Why teeth and DNA often become the only reliable methods of identifying severely burned victims (21:00) Celebrating 50 episodes of Mayhem in the Morgue with thanks to listeners and production team About the Host Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in courthundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines the rare phenomenon known as the Lazarus effect, or autoresuscitation, where signs of life return after a person has been declared dead. He starts with the case that’s been making headlines: 18-month-old Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, pronounced dead after a drowning, then found alive hours later in a hospital morgue. Dr. Crowns explains how death is actually determined, what might cause circulation to kick back in after resuscitation has already stopped, and the safeguards hospitals use to prevent a person from being declared dead prematurely. He also shares other reported cases of people showing signs of life at funeral homes and explains how he knows the person on his autopsy table is, in fact, actually dead. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (00:30) The case of 18-month-old Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, who was found alive in a hospital morgue (1:15) Childhood drowning risks and why crowded gatherings around swimming pools can become dangerous (2:45) What happens to the body during drowning and the five stages that can lead to death (6:15) Vincent’s resuscitation, declaration of death, and the signs of life reportedly noticed by his family and first responders (7:15) What agonal breathing looks like and why it can be mistaken for signs of recovery (8:30) A medical examiner transporter discovers Vincent alive more than five hours after he was pronounced dead (9:45) The Lazarus effect, or autoresuscitation, and where the term comes from (10:45) Other reported cases of people showing signs of life after being declared dead (12:45) How medical professionals determine death and the additional criteria used to establish brain death (15:15) What the Lazarus effect looks like when it occurs (16:00) The theories behind why circulation can sometimes return after CPR has stopped (17:15) Why patients should be monitored after CPR ends before death is declared (18:00) How Dr. Crowns knows someone is dead before beginning an autopsy (19:15) Dr. Crowns’ grandmother, a family fear of being buried alive, and a needle that may have been involved in confirming a death About the Host Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns concludes his two-part series on prescription drug misuse by examining the death of Michael Jackson, whose fatal overdose centered on the anesthetic propofol. He explains why the drug is not a sleep aid, how fast it can turn fatal without proper monitoring, and what makes it dangerous when administered outside an appropriately equipped medical setting. Using Jackson’s autopsy report, Dr. Crowns discusses what investigators found in the bedroom, what toxicology revealed, and why the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide instead of an accidental overdose. Missed Part One? Mayhem in the Morgue | Got Milk? Part One Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Continuing the prescription drug misuse series with Michael Jackson’s case (2:45) What propofol is, why it is called “milk of amnesia,” and how it differs from common sedatives (4:15) Dr. Crowns’ first encounter with propofol during an autopsy (5:00) Why propofol requires constant monitoring and has little margin for error (7:30) Why propofol abuse is rare outside healthcare but more common among anesthesiology professionals (9:00) Michael Jackson’s repeated use of propofol and the medications administered before his death (12:30) Jackson’s bedroom scene and the medications, supplies, and other details investigators documented (16:15) The autopsy findings that pointed to fatal respiratory depression (18:30) Toxicology results, cause of death, and why propofol combined with benzodiazepines proved fatal (20:00) Why Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide instead of an accident (21:45) Dr. Murray’s conviction, sentence, and his return to medicine overseas (22:00) Physician responsibility, standards of care, and the lesson behind Michael Jackson’s death About the Host:  Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns begins a two-part series on prescription drug misuse and the ordinary ways pills can end up in the wrong hands. He shares a childhood story about missing medication from his mother’s cancer treatment, a residency assignment that blurred an ethical line, and a hospital encounter that highlights the difficult position doctors can face when patients demand controlled substances. He also discusses doctor shopping, what pill bottles can reveal at a death scene, and why fame can make access to prescription drugs even easier. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Prescription drug misuse and why legal medications are often overlooked as drugs of abuse (1:15) How certain prescription drugs become tied to medical professionals instead of street dealers (1:30) Dr. Crowns recalls his mother’s hydrocodone prescription and her missing pills (3:45) Stealing medication from friends, family members, and deceased relatives as a common route to prescription drug misuse (4:15) What pill bottles can reveal at a death scene, including labels, prescribing doctors, pill counts, and mixed contents (5:30) Doctor shopping, emergency room visits, claimed allergies, and other red flags (6:45) The risk of doctors prescribing to relatives and friends, and a case of a secretary’s husband who died unexpectedly (10:45) Why Dr. Crowns never obtained a DEA number (12:45) Patient pressure, medical school rotations, and a hospital encounter with an inmate asking for morphine or hydrocodone (17:15) Dr. Crowns introduces Michael Jackson’s death as the focus of Got Milk? Part Two About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, andKansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses a part of courtroom testimony most listeners never hear about: what happens while a medical examiner waits to be called to the stand. Before smartphones existed, those delays could mean hours alone with nothing but a case file, an empty courtroom, a hard wooden pew, and on one occasion, a poorly timed nap. Dr. Crowns shares stories from his years in Chicago courtrooms, waking up groggy right before testifying and briefly blanking on his own educational background, hearing a retired officer’s account of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, and navigating the particular awkwardness of waiting-room small talk with civilian witnesses and gang members. Mentioned Episode: Mayhem in the Morgue | Outburst Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Today’s topic: what Dr. Crowns does while waiting to testify (1:00) The George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building and a multiple gunshot wound case (3:00) Left alone in an empty courtroom with nothing but a case file, Dr. Crowns rolls up his trench coat and takes a nap (4:15) Waking up groggy, entering the courtroom, and briefly forgetting his own educational background (7:15) The reality of waiting rooms, court delays, and being trapped with nothing to do (8:30) Passing the time with Chicago police officers, courtroom stories, and conversations about the job (10:45) A retired officer’s account of policing during the 1968 Democratic National Convention (13:15) Waiting with civilian witnesses, awkward silence, and the question that usually broke the ice (14:30) Conversations with Chicago gang members, gang tattoos, nicknames, and forensic curiosity (18:00) How Dr. Crowns became “The Tooth,” also known as “El Diente” (21:00) A courthouse conversation with a young gang member and the autopsy that followed a month later About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns continues his discussion of overkill, explaining the five categories recognized in forensic literature: expressive, instrumental, sexual, psychotic, and culturally motivated overkill. He shares two of his own cases, including a Chicago stabbing case that later sent him to the crime scene of a homicide he had already autopsied and a Texas case involving sexual overkill, necrophilia, and schizophrenia. Dr. Crowns closes by considering how the University of Idaho murders may fit within the overkill framework and what Bryan Kohberger’s reported behavior may suggest about his possible motive. Missed Part One? Mayhem in the Morgue |Overkill: Part One Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Dr. Crowns recaps Overkill: Part One and introduces the five categories of overkill (1:00) Expressive overkill: impulsive, emotionally charged attacks and their key characteristics (1:45) Instrumental overkill: calculated violence driven by financial gain, revenge, or escalation (2:30) Sexual overkill: sadistic or paraphilic arousal, ritualistic elements, and targeted wounds (3:00) Psychotic overkill: disorganized attacks, delusional ideation, and cognitive fragmentation (3:30) Culturally motivated overkill: honor murders, dominance, punishment, and purification (4:00) The link between overkill and mental illness and why no single disorder prevails (5:00) Dr. Crowns’ Chicago case: a 175-stab-wound homicide and the crime scene he visited a week later (11:45) Dr. Crown’s Texas case: sexual overkill, necrophilia, and a roommate with schizophrenia (14:45) Dr. Crowns considers Bryan Kohberger’s reported behavior and the unanswered question of motive About the Host:  Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines the concept of overkill through the autopsy reports of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, four University of Idaho students murdered in Moscow, Idaho. He reviews the timeline of the attack, the alleged weapon used, and the sharp force, blunt force, and defensive injuries documented in their autopsies. Dr. Crowns explains how forensic pathologists evaluate wound number, distribution, hemorrhage, toxicology, and injury patterns to better understand what happened in those final moments. This episode offers a forensic look at overkill, including how it differs from ritualistic homicide, mission-oriented homicide, torture, and body mutilation. Mentioned in this Episode: Chatzinikolaou, F., Vavoulidis, E., Tsiapla, T., Margioula-Siarkou, C., Dinas, K., & Petousis, S. (2025). Overkill in forensic medicine: A systematic review. Acta Psychologica, 259, 105388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105388 Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Dr. Crowns introduces Overkill: Part One and the recently released University of Idaho autopsy reports (0:45) The murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in Moscow, Idaho (3:30) The alleged KA-BAR knife, its military history, and why it can cause devastating sharp force injuries (5:00) Madison Mogen’s autopsy findings, defensive wounds, toxicology, and why her death was not immediate (9:15) Kaylee Goncalves’ injuries, including sharp force trauma, blunt force trauma, and evidence of strangulation (14:30) Xana Kernodle’s extensive injuries, defensive wounds, toxicology, and evidence that she fought back (17:45) Ethan Chapin’s injuries, defensive wounds, toxicology, and the evidence that suggests he was asleep when attacked (19:15) Dr. Crowns explains why he believes one person could have caused all of these injuries (20:00) What overkill means in forensic pathology and why it can suggest more than wound count alone (21:15) How medical examiners, forensic psychiatrists, criminologists, and law enforcement may interpret overkill differently (22:15) Differentiating overkill from ritualistic homicide, mission-oriented homicide, torture, and body mutilation About the Host Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners into the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More You can learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself. Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses inhalant abuse and the everyday household products people use to get high. He explains how substances like spray paint, canned air, Freon, and other chemicals affect the nervous system, limit oxygen, and sometimes trigger fatal heart rhythms. Through cases involving whipped cream canisters, dental nitrous oxide, hairspray, and jenkem, Dr. Crowns shows why these deaths can be difficult to diagnose, often leaving few obvious autopsy findings and relying heavily on scene investigation and toxicology. Episodes Mentioned: Mayhem in the Morgue | Foraging Misadventures  Mayhem in the Morgue | Minty Fresh   Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Huffing, bored teenagers, and the pre-internet search for ways to get high (4:30) What huffing means and why inhaling chemical vapors can be deadly (5:15) The household products commonly abused as inhalants and how these chemicals affect the brain (7:15) Spray paint, “chromers, ” and the autopsy clues that can point to toluene exposure (9:00) Canned air cases and the unusual scene findings investigators often encounter (10:15) Nitrous oxide abuse, a dentist found dead in his chair, whipped cream cans, and whip-its (15:30) How plastic bags increase the risk of asphyxiation and the lasting damage caused by chronic nitrous oxide abuse (17:15) Freon, frostbite injuries, and sudden sniffing death syndrome (20:30) A hairspray huffing death with misleading alcohol levels in the vitreous fluid (23:00) A 17-year-old found dead in a bathtub, a bottle found at the scene, and Dr. Crowns’ firsthand jenkem case (29:00) Hydrogen sulfide toxicity, drowning, and Dr. Crowns’ closing advice About the Host Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners into the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More You can learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself. Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses coffin birth, the rare postmortem phenomenon formally known as postmortem fetal extrusion. He explains how human decomposition creates gases, bloating skin, skin slippage, purge fluid, maggot activity, and other artifacts that can change the body after death and sometimes mimic trauma, sexual assault, or other evidence. He also discusses the Shanann Watts and Laci Peterson cases to explain how coffin birth is evaluated and why it must be distinguished from live birth or other possibilities. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Coffin birth, decomposition gases, and the autopsy artifacts that can complicate a death investigation (0:45) What happens after death: autolysis, putrefaction, and the bacteria already waiting inside the body (2:30) Why decomposition smells so distinct, from rotten eggs and stale urine to rotting fish and foul garlic (4:00) Dr. Crowns remembers his first decomposed body during medical school in Wichita, Kansas (8:15) Inside the morgue with flies, maggots, maggot masses, and the daily reality of decomposition cases (11:45) The Cook County decomposition morgue, the air-handling problem, and one doctor’s very questionable workaround (18:00) Bloating, skin slippage, brighter tattoos, and the forensic details that can help or hinder identification (19:30) When decomposition mimics trauma: ruptured scars, gaping wounds, and the risk of misreading the body (21:15) Purge fluid, mistaken sexual assault concerns, and the importance of separating artifact from evidence (24:00) Dr. Crowns explains postmortem fetal extrusion, also known as coffin birth, through the Shannan Watts case (25:00) Laci Peterson, fetal separation, and why coffin birth must be carefully distinguished from live birth or other possibilities About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts. If you like this episode, don’t keep it to yourself; follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.