UPCOMING EPISODES

On the morning of April 18, 2012, American icon Dick Clark died suddenly from a massive heart attack following a routine operation on his prostate. As host of legendary TV show 'American Bandstand' for almost 40 years, Dick was a familiar face in millions of American homes and helped to shape modern pop music for modern audiences. Known as 'America's oldest teenager' for his seemingly eternally youthful appearance and his ability to stay in touch with what was considered 'cool' even as he grew into his 60's, he was a uniquely successful producer and entrepreneur, amassing a $200 million dollar fortune at the time of his death. A long time diabetic, Dick suffered a debilitating stroke in 2004, but true to form, he was determined to stay on screen and continued to present his annual New Years Countdown from Times Square right up until his death 8 years later. So why did Dick die so suddenly? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter needs to analyse key moments from Dick’s life and his medical history, in order investigate and find the answers as to why Dick died shortly after what should have been a simple procedure.

Walt Disney was the father of movie-length animation and creator of some of the most loved and recognised characters in the world. But America’s favourite uncle was also an obsessive workaholic and consumed by crippling pain. On December 15th 1966 Walt Disney died in a Burbank hospital, he was 65 years old. Leading forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating Disney’s last days, weeks and months to find out what caused the death of this global icon.

At 1.00am on May 13, 2019 Doris Day died, aged 97. Doris was America’s sweetheart, the girl next door with the golden voice who’s virginal image won the hearts of millions. But behind the dazzling smile Doris’ life was blighted by tragedy after tragedy stemming from a childhood that left her traumatized and in pain. As Doris rose to fame her genuine talent and no nonsense honesty took her to the very top, but she was pained and frustrated by her public image, which she believed denied her true character. And when Doris had finally had enough of the spotlight, and left the glitz and glamour of Hollywood behind to pursue a new life away from the spotlight, her fans never let her down, supporting her until the very end of her long and generous life when she was tragically brought down by a fatal case of pneumonia. Dr Michael Hunter, world renowned medical examiner, will investigate and analyze all the available evidence to find out how this icon lived and died; he’ll explore Doris’ medical history and first hand accounts from her life, to explain how she managed to overcome the trauma of her early years, to become a singing superstar and a spokeswoman for animals across the globe.

On March 29th 2016, the world was saddened by the news that American sweetheart, Patty Duke had died. As Hollywood’s original child star she had been charming audiences for over sixty years. She overcame a childhood of deprivation and abuse to become a household name. In 1963 she became the then youngest actress to win an Oscar, for her career defining role as Helen Keller, in The Miracle Worker. She went on to star in The Patty Duke Show, playing identical twin cousins. It seemed nothing could stop her. But in her late teens her life began to unravel. She drank heavily, spent wildly, became promiscuous. She attempted suicide many times. Patty was diagnosed with a mental illness in her mid thirties and once under control, she became a pioneering spokeswoman for mental health issues for the rest of her life. She died at the age of 69 of complications due to a ruptured intestine. Intestinal rupture is pretty rare and with surgical intervention there’s a reasonable survival rate. So what happened? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyse every detail in the limited available information to piece together what else was going on in her body to find the answers.

On June 25, 2009, actress and 1970’s icon, Farrah Fawcett died of a rare form of cancer in Los Angeles. Her death at 62 shocked her fans, friends and family as Farrah didn’t smoke, ate healthy food and worked hard to keep fit. In this episode, expert coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter examines Farrah’s medical history and hears from some of her closest friends to try and work out what caused Farrah’s cancer and if the alternative cancer treatments she received played any part in her death.

Desi Arnaz was famed for playing the much-loved character, Ricky Ricardo, in the 1950s TV series ‘I Love Lucy’. Almost 30 years later, in the early hours of December 2nd, 1986, Desi died. He was 69 years old. Born in Cuba, 16-year-old Desi & his family were exiled to Miami following the 1933 revolution. Starting from zero, Desi’s drive to succeed saw him rise to fame & garner attention as the bongo-playing leader of a Latin orchestra. With his Cuban charisma & boyish good looks he soon won the heart of up & coming film star, Lucille Ball. Together, they would change the face of TV with the series ‘I Love Lucy’. But Desi was so much more than just a TV star – forming their company, Desilu he became one of the most powerful men in TV. But his success would become his downfall. In this episode, world-renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, uses the Death certificate, first-hand reports, and archive to uncover the facts behind the sad demise of Desi Arnaz.

On the morning of April 26th, 1989, Lucille Ball died in a Los Angeles hospital leaving the world heartbroken. America’s first lady of comedy had delighted audiences with a glittering career that spanned over half a century: but it was her television show, ‘I Love Lucy, ’ that had transformed television and turned the actress into the most famous face on the planet. The 77 year old would die of a rupture of the aorta - a life-ending tear of the largest artery in the human body. This is rare, and even more mysterious given the fact that she was in great shape just weeks before her death. So what exactly was going on inside Lucille Ball’s body that led to this catastrophic failure? And could a mystery teenage illness have played a part? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter investigates every aspect of Lucille’s life in forensic detail, using her death certificate, medical documents and first-hand accounts to piece together what was going on in the body of America’s most loved Lucy to find the answers.

Actress Elizabeth Montgomery became a global household name for playing Samantha, the nose-twitching witch in TV series “Bewitched”. She was born into acting nobility. Her father was the acclaimed actor Robert Montgomery who was twice academy nominated. Despite his early misgivings about her becoming an actress, he embraced her onto his TV drama show. His old-school resolute attitude influenced her entire life. Highly motivated, Elizabeth went on to have a successful and diverse acting career spanning 4 decades. She was nominated for 9 EMMYs and 4 Golden Globes. On May 18th 1995, Elizabeth unexpectedly died at the age of 64, after a short battle with colon cancer. She appeared to only experience 6 weeks of pain, before a biopsy proved her cancer had reached stage IV. It had spread to her liver and lungs with disastrous repercussions. Strangely, it is a disease that should be easy to treat and prevent. This episode investigates and uncovers the tragic and harrowing chain of events that resulted in this much loved star passing away too early.

In September 1955, the twenty-four-year-old actor and figurehead of teen rebellion, James Dean died in a horrific car crash near Cholame in California. For more than 60 years mystery has surrounded the cause of the crash as Dean was an accomplished racing driver travelling on a straight road in good conditions. Now, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case using testimony from family, friends, crash experts and biographers to finally reveal the real cause of James Dean’s death.

Steve McQueen was a legendary actor probably best known for his roles in ‘The Great Escape’, ‘The Magnificent Seven’ and ‘Bullitt’. By the mid 1970s, ‘The King of Cool’ was the world’s highest paid movie star but on November 7 1980 he died almost unrecognizable in a hospital bed in Mexico at just 50 years old. His death fuelled wild rumors and allegations of conspiracy. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter examines Steve’s extensive medical records to unravel the truth surrounding his death and attempts to reveal what really happened to this iconic star.

On the morning of May 29th, 2010 the news broke that Hollywood icon Dennis Hopper had died. Dennis was an icon of the silver screen, famed for intense portrayals in twisted maniacs and dark hearted villains. In 1969 he made cinema history by writing, directing and co-starring in the revolutionary road movie Easy Rider. The film tore up Hollywood’s movie-making rule book, and made $60m from a budget of under $400,000, but Dennis’ follow up picture, the Last Movie, was a commercial disaster. It’s failure sent him into a spiral of extreme drinking and drug taking that lasted more than a decade. Dennis was ultimately forced into rehab and underwent intensive addiction therapy. Dennis also had a turbulent love life. He was married 5 times, and wed his last bride, 29 year old Victoria Duffy, when he was 60. In 2009, Dennis revealed he had prostate cancer, and he died 7 months later, aged 74. It’s common for those diagnosed with Prostate cancer to live for more than a decade afterward – so why did Dennis die so quickly? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter forensically examines Dennis Hopper’s dramatic life and discovers the truth could lay in a secret that Dennis kept from the world for over 10 years.

On October 10th 2004, Christopher Reeve died in hospital leaving the world heartbroken. The actor’s role as Superman had turned him into a global superstar but after a freak horse riding accident in 1995 had left him paralyzed, his determination to walk again and his campaigning for America’s disabled community transformed him into another type of hero. The world’s media reported the cause of death as heart failure but this raised more questions than answers. Conflicting reports emerged, one even suggested that Chris had suffered a severe allergic reaction to a drug just before his death. World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter will now investigates every aspect of Christopher’s life in forensic detail, using reports from the time and first-hand accounts to piece together what was going on in the body of America’s Superman to find the answers.

Martial arts superstar, Bruce Lee died in Hong Kong in mysterious circumstances aged just 32. An inquest concluded that his death was caused by a hypersensitive reaction to a prescription painkiller given to him for a headache. For more than forty years controversy has surrounded this conclusion with numerous theories emerging as to what might have caused his death. Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter has gained access to Bruce Lee’s autopsy and inquest report to dispel the rumors and reveal the real cause of Bruce Lee’s death.

On March 31st 1993, the world was shocked by the news that 28-year-old Brandon Lee, son of kung fu legend, Bruce Lee, had been fatally shot on a film set. But how could an accident like this happen when the gun that fired the fatal shot was supposedly loaded with safe, blank ammunition? And how did a supremely fit martial arts hero succumb to an abdominal gunshot wound when the chances of survival seemed to be stacked in his favor?

Midday, Friday August 28, 2020, Canyon Drive, Hollywood, the heroic ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman died at home surrounded by his family at the height of the Covid pandemic. He was just 43. Dr Michael Hunter, world renowned medical examiner, will investigate and analyze all the available evidence to find out how this globally-loved, highly-admired actor and gentle soul lived and died; he’ll explore Chadwick's medical history and firsthand accounts from his life, to explain how he managed to overcome childhood trauma of a homicide and racism, to shine bright but briefly as a superstar and spokesperson for Black rights and learn how Chadwick’s death has since saved countless lives.

On November 30 2013, the shocking news that star of Hollywood action franchise Fast and Furious Paul Walker had died; in a tragic twist of fate the 40 year-old heart throb had passed in a high speed car accident. The ultimate action hero, blessed with stunning good looks, Paul had a thirst for thrills etched into his DNA. His maternal grandfather raced cars at the famous Bonneville Speedway, while his male side was dominated by wartime heroics. His grandfather was a Pearl Harbour veteran turned boxing champion and his father a Purple Heart winner. Ironically ocean lover Paul was a reluctant film star who had seen acting as a means to finance his passion for surfing. But at 25 the arrival of his daughter Meadow forced Paul to challenge his Mormon roots, deciding he wasn’t ready to be a full-time father. Paul and the action movie industry became a perfect fit, earning Paul a fortune, and the means to indulge his passion for fast cars. But after a decade contracted to the Fast and Furious series Paul wanted out; he had reconnected with his daughter and had launched his own disaster relief charity. During a Thanksgiving break from filming the latest turbo-charged outing of the multi-million franchise Paul hosted a charity event. Take a quick spin around the block in a Porsche supercar Paul and his business partner Roger Rodas lost their lives. So what happened? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter analyses the details to determine what caused the crash.