UPCOMING EPISODES

On May 19th 1994, the world was shocked and saddened by the news that beloved American Icon Jackie Kennedy Onassis had died. At the age of 31 Jackie was one of the youngest first ladies to enter the Whitehouse on her husband’s arm as John Fitzgerald Kennedy became president in 1960. Jackie made a huge impression on the nation and the rest of the world, leading the stage for many first ladies to come. She became one of the most famous women in the world. But behind the fairy tale first lady was a life of trauma and tragedy. Jackie lost three children, the last one Patrick lived just a day. Patrick died just three months before Jackie endured the horrific day in Dallas in 1963 where she witnessed her husband’s assassination just inches in front of her. 5 years later Bobby Kennedy, her brother-in-law was also assassinated and she began to fear for her life and the lives of her children. After marrying multi -billionaire Aristotle Onassis and hiding from the world Jackie overcame her fear and carved a new life out for herself. For 30 years Jackie was a very successful book publisher and lived near her two children in New York with the love of her life, Maurice Tempelsman. She lived a full and active life. Jackie died suddenly at the age of 64 from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, just months after diagnosis. So why did this seemingly healthy national Idol succum to such a deadly disease and why did it kill her at such an alarming rate? World renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze Jackie’s history, her lifestyle and medical past in order to find the answers.

On 16th July, 1999, John Kennedy Jr crashed his Piper Sartoga aircraft into the ocean off Martha’s Vineyard. He died instantly along with his wife, Carolyn and her sister Lauren. John was just 38. John shared some of these characteristics – his ADHD did not help - but was conscious of this cycle of destruction and disaster. If anybody looked capable of outrunning the family’s dark history it was him. As the world had watched, that little boy had grown into a gentle, beautiful man. And he had gradually come to terms with the Kennedy Legacy and his role within it. Politics, he had begun to realize, would suit his temperament and his talents. The return of a Kennedy to the White House was a narrative it was hard to resist. All that ended with John Jr’s fatal flight in the summer of 1999. The world had wept at his father’s funeral in 1963 and they wept again as John’s ashes were scattered from a US Navy destroyer off the coast of Massachusetts. They were burying a modest, kind man whom Americans had taken to their hearts. And they were burying a dream. This truly was the end of Camelot.

Gary Coleman soared to success as the diminutive star of classic eighties sit-com, Different strokes. His chubby cheeks, sharp wit and trademark catchphrase captured the hearts of millions. 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. He gained a reputation as a notorious hot head and a series of highly publicized arrests followed. Then, on May 28th, 2010 Gary Coleman died in mysterious circumstance after an incident at his home in Utah. World renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter scrutinizes all evidence to reveal why this much loved star died.

On May 8, 1999, the world was saddened by the news that actor Dana Plato, died in Moore, Oklahoma. As a child star in Eighties TV show ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Dana had captured the heart of America playing everyone’s favourite older sister, Kimberley Drummond. It seemed nothing could stop her. But after riding high on the show’s success, her career dwindled and Dana suffered a series of crushing lows including the loss of her beloved adoptive mum as well as a marriage breakdown. As Dana’s life continued to unravel, she turned to alcohol and drugs to deal with her problems becoming a Hollywood pariah. Dana was found dead in her RV at the age of just 34. She had died of a multidrug overdose and her passing was originally reported as accidental but the autopsy report would later rule this death as suicide. There are those that remain convinced that the young mother with so much to live for would never take her own life. So what really happened? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze every detail of Dana’s autopsy, toxicology report and personal testimonies to find out more about her last days and whether Dana Plato really meant to commit suicide?

Television star John Ritter died at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California on September 11th 2003. The beloved actor fell in while filming on set of his acclaimed sitcom '8 Simple Rules.' A full body medical scan just two years prior to his death showed the father of four to be in perfect health. So what caused the much beloved 54 year old actor to die so unexpectedly?

On December 13th, 2016, Americans were saddened by the news that the much loved TV star, Alan Thicke, had died. The talented Canadian had moved to Hollywood at the age of 23 to embark on a career in the entertainment business. Over nearly 50 years he was a writer, director, producer, composer, talk show host, and actor. While starring in the successful family sitcom, Growing Pains, which ran for 7 years, Alan became a household name and was even voted America’s Favourite Dad. A true Canadian, Thick was passionate about ice hockey, which he played regularly 2-3 times a week. It kept him always slim, fit, and looking younger than his years. And yet, at the age of 69 he died of a ruptured aorta, a very rare condition, and difficult to explain as Alan was in great shape right up to the last moment. So what happened to result in such a sudden and catastrophic failure? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, will analyse every detail of the available information to piece together what else was going on in Alan’s body to find the answers.

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.

When legendary comedian Garry Shandling died at the age of just 66 in 2016, his fans and the show business community were mystified and shocked. Over 40 years on stage and screen, audiences loved his self-analytical and self-deprecating humour and thanks to hit sitcoms like the Larry Sanders show, he garnered over 60 awards or nominations, including Emmys. Outwardly, he appeared to be in good health – never drinking to excess or using illegal drugs but always pursuing a busy fitness regime, eating well and practicing meditation. Behind the scenes howecer, Garry was obsessively perfectionist and workaholic and suffered intense stress in his business and personal lives. He also battled with serious long-term health conditions resulting in major surgeries and the removal of internal organs. His medical history was complicated. World renowned pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is re-opening Garry’s medical files to solve the mystery of what caused the fatal blood clot that would ultimately claim Garry’s life.

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.

On May 16th 1984, unique comedy talent, Andy Kaufman, died from a rare form of lung cancer at just 35 years of age. Renowned for his eccentric stage routines and comedy sketches on the TV show ‘Saturday Night Live’ he went on to gain international fame playing ‘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 did not die. In this episode, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, examines Andy Kaufman’s medical history to try and discover what caused the death of this comic phenomenon at such a young age.

Gilda Radner was an icon of American comedy, whose unique characters on hit show Saturday Night Live catapulted her into the nation’s heart. But behind the laughter was a life blighted by illness and sorrow- from bulimia to multiple miscarriages. And at the age of just 42 she died of ovarian cancer in a Los Angeles hospital. So what caused her to catch the deadly disease at such a young age and why did doctors miss multiple opportunities to catch it? World renowned medical examiner and forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter leads the investigation to find the answers.

On March 4th 1994, beloved comedy actor John Candy was found dead in Durango Mexico, where he had been working on what would become his final film, Wagons East. Candy rose through the ranks of the celebrated Second City theatre group, and went on to appear in over 40 films, winning acclaim for his performances in classic films such as Splash, Cool Runnings and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. His death certificate stated that he died of a heart attack – but what was the cause? John Candy was known for his larger than life persona, and he battled with his weight throughout his life. But it seems that events that unfolded in Mexico on the set of Wagons East could have also contributed to his shocking and untimely death at the age of just 43. World renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter will analyse every detail of Candy’s death certificate, along with the testimonies from those closest to John, in order to understand what ultimately caused the death of a Hollywood icon.

On June 12th 1994 the body of 34 year old Nicole Brown Simpson, ex-wife of OJ Simpson, and the body of Ron Goldman, a friend, were found on the sidewalk of her west LA home - both had apparently been viciously stabbed to death. Five days later in one of the most famous car chases, OJ Simpson went on the run from police - wanted for murder. Despite OJ being arrested and tried for the murders, after 10 months of what became known as the trial of the century, he was acquitted and even after extensive forensic police investigations no one has ever been found guilty of these horrendous crimes. Armed with the autopsy report, and the forensic evidence uncovered by the police, Dr Michael Hunter will take the viewer back over the last few days of Nicole’s life and try and unravel what happened on that fateful night. From how the stab wounds reveal the movements of the killer to the possibilities of illegal drugs; flaws in the collection of evidence and a history of domestic violence. Hunter uses this information to build up a profile of the killer. Alongside careful and detailed reconstructed drama scenes we talk to close friends, a psychologist and people who knew Nicole and OJ to painstakingly piece back together the nature of their complex relationship, to figure out who committed these crimes, and why.