On May 27th 2011 the world was saddened by the news that the actor Jeff Conaway had died. He was best known for the role of Kenickie in Grease. In a career spanning five decades, he was rarely out of work but there was trouble behind the megawatt smile. Jeff Conaway had a much-publicised battle with drink and drug addiction and there was speculation in the press that he died of an overdose. However, upon examination of Jeff Conaway’s extensive autopsy report world-renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter, does not believe this is necessarily the case. In fact, his investigation reveals there are a multitude of potential reasons for Jeff’s untimely death. So what ultimately happened?

Alongside the medical testimony we will explore the timeline of events that contributed to the untimely death and talk to people who will give us first hand factual accounts of what actually took place, revealing an intimate portrait of how the celebrity lived, breathed and ultimately suffered. Following her rise to fame in the 1960s Joan Rivers became the undisputed queen of stand-up comedy. For nearly five decades her unique brand of fast-talking, acid tongued wit made her a fixture on stage and television around the globe. But at 1.17pm on September 4th 2014 Joan was pronounced dead in her hospital room. She was 81.
Joan Rivers was known for her love of plastic surgery. But after risking her life on numerous occasions by going under the cosmetic surgeon’s knife, a routine, low-risk procedure was to go tragically wrong. Dr Michael Hunter investigates the last days of Joan Rivers.

Johnny Carson, the undisputed King of Late Night TV died in Los Angeles in January 2005. From 1962 and for nearly 30 years, he tucked millions of Americans into bed every night as the host of NBC’s “Tonight” show. His humour and laid-back demeanour attracted the cream of global talent night after night and his famed monologues helped Americans take in the day’s news with a wry smile. But away from the cameras, Johnny was a troubled man, haunted by an emotionally impoverished childhood leading to heavy drinking and womanising in his adult life. His distant relationship with his 3 sons culminated in tragedy when one of them, Rick, died in a car crash at the age of 39. Johnny paid a heavy price for the stresses in his personal and professional lives. A heavy smoker from childhood, he was diagnosed with the lung disease emphysema nearly 20 years before his death. This made it increasingly hard for him to breath and took a heavy toll on his heart, culminating in a heart attack in 1999 and his death six years later from respiratory arrest. World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, re-examines Johnny’s life story and medical history to find out exactly how his emotional and physical health combined to silence this giant of the small screen.

On January 29th, 1977, the world was stunned by the news that the breakout comedy star, Freddie Prinze, had taken his own life at the age of 22. He shot to fame as the star of the primetime sitcom ‘Chico and the Man’ after appearing on The Tonight Show at just 19-years-old. But Freddie struggled to balance his fast rise to fame and fortune with the demands of being a husband and young Father. His recreational drug habit spiraled into full-blown dependence and his behavior became increasingly impulsive and reckless. Too much. Too soon. A life of excess. Did it all become too much to handle for Freddie? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze every detail in Freddie’s records to piece together what exactly caused this bright, young comic with the world at his feet to take his own life.

Richard Pryor’s shockingly honest, no holds barred performances revolutionised American comedy. And his no holds barred attitude continued off screen with his monstrous appetite for drink, drugs and sex. But during the last part of his life Pryor was struck down with a debilitating illness which left him paralysed and unable to speak. Then, on December 10th, 2005, Richard Pryor dies from a cardiac arrest. But what killed him? Was it his wild past catching up with him? His debilitating illness? Or something else all together? Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter will be examining Richard’s medical records to determine precisely was caused the death of this much loved comedian.

The night of November 25, 1998 Flip Wilson died at the tragically young age of 64. Flip will always be remembered as the gifted comedian who burned fiercely, lighting up our television screens in the 1970’s. In his time, he was a groundbreaking funny-man who was renowned for his generosity, and blazed a path that enabled other black performers to hit the big time. He was a unique comedian, a true original who overcame a childhood marred by terrible abuse and poverty to become a millionaire many times over. But Flip was tormented by the ghosts from his past, and wrestled with drink and drugs throughout his illustrious career. And despite a tenacity that took him from the starving streets of Jersey City, to the glamorous bright lights of California, Flip was brought down by an incurable cancer that took his life in a matter of months. Dr. Michael Hunter, world renowned medical examiner, will investigate and analyze all the available evidence; Flip’s medical history and first hand accounts from his life, to find out what caused the deadly cancer that took such an incredible comedy icon’s life.

Bernie Mac was one of the best-loved stand-up comedians of his generation. He worked his way out of poverty, spending 12 years performing in Chicago clubs before hitting the big time in the early 90’s as part of the Def Comedy Jam. After touring relentlessly, he eventually found mainstream success with a string of Hollywood movie roles and his own primetime TV show. But in July 2008 he was hospitalized with pneumonia. After 3 weeks in intensive care he died at the height of his career, aged 50. Now, Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at the death of a unique performer who was loved by millions.

Born into poverty on the South side of Chicago, Bernard McCullough was raised by his mother and grandmother. Inspired as a boy by Bill Cosby, Bernie determined to become a comic to help others overcome the kinds of tragedies he endured as a youngster including the loss of his mother and brother before his tenth birthday. Meeting his wife to be Rhonda in high school was a turning point. They fell in love, got married and had a baby girl before they turned 21. Forced to work to support his family, Bernie took any job he could get including fry cook, delivery man and janitor. But in his off hours he listened for hours to the comedy albums of Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby and others until he summoned the courage to start performing at open mike nights at local clubs. Being paid with beer and cigarettes was ok with Bernie until the money got tight. Luckily, he broke out by winning the Miller Lite Comedy Contest hosted by the Wayans brothers and from there, he went on to performing around the country and ultimately winning national fame on Def Comedy Jam. From there, the Kings of Comedy followed and ultimately, international success with The Bernie Mac Show and a string of hit films. Bernie was at the top of his game when he was struck with a still mysterious disease called Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory condition that can lie dormant for decades before become terminal. Bernie died at the young age of 50 with undoubtedly decades more of comic brilliance lost forever. He remains in the pantheon of top comics of the modern era and is still missed and beloved by millions.

On Patrol: First Shift is the only place to catch what you missed — exclusive updates on stories, candid interviews with the officers on shift, and answers to your questions about On Patrol: Live.

Richland County, SC officers respond to a domestic dispute at a hotel while Hazen, AR officers find a large amount of cannabis during a traffic stop. Daytona Beach, FL officers intervene after a child pulls a knife on his mother and Toledo, OH officers respond to a shooting.

Fontana, CA officers investigate a reported assault while officers in Richland County, SC perform a felony stop on a suspect linked to a home invasion. Beech Grove, IN officers respond to a domestic dispute and officers in Daytona Beach, FL respond to an accident where a suspect attempted to flee.

A homeless man punches a singing transient over a racist comment. An assailant hits a sleeping man with a brick over a money dispute. A sobbing young man insists he was falsely arrested. A bar fight sends a UFC fighter to the hospital and the bartender who slugged him to jail.

A party of three girls are brought in after having been arrested for possession at a nearby music festival. Drugs are found on the person of a music festival attendee during intake. A slightly older party goer is taken into custody for possession.

Texting, drinking and driving are not a good mix for a mother with her baby in the backseat of her car. After his arrest for shoplifting, a young man begins to realize the consequences of his lifestyle choices. A woman arrested on a warrant finds herself in solitary confinement after showing off her assets to another inmate. Officers try to convince a homeless young man that patching up his relationship with his family is better than being drunk on the streets.

A man arrested on drug warrants is upset about the BBQ brisket he left on the grill. An intoxicated ladies man flirts with the jail staff and an inmate finds it funny that he sold tree leaves as pot to an undercover officer. Brother turns on brother when a good deed gets mixed with alcohol. A man caught panhandling believes officers should arrest hardened criminals instead of him.

An eccentric jail regular is welcomed back. Man fleeing Mexico details the horrors he escaped. Young woman describes her lucrative fling as a stripper. A woman finds that trying to drink away a bad boyfriend and then asking the boyfriend for bail money is not a good idea. A man collapses during booking after being arrested for drunk driving. Officers have heart to heart with a depressed inmate going through a breakup with a cheating girlfriend.

A woman who says she’s called “Sunshine” has less than a sunny disposition. A man ditches a halfway house for jail to get his life in order. A career criminal shows no regret for his “thug life.” Tense moments in Booking as officers and medical staff try to save a young man from a drug overdose.

A homeless man punches a singing transient over a racist comment. An assailant hits a sleeping man with a brick over a money dispute. A sobbing young man insists he was falsely arrested. A bar fight sends a UFC fighter to the hospital and the bartender who slugged him to jail.

A party of three girls are brought in after having been arrested for possession at a nearby music festival. Drugs are found on the person of a music festival attendee during intake. A slightly older party goer is taken into custody for possession.

Texting, drinking and driving are not a good mix for a mother with her baby in the backseat of her car. After his arrest for shoplifting, a young man begins to realize the consequences of his lifestyle choices. A woman arrested on a warrant finds herself in solitary confinement after showing off her assets to another inmate. Officers try to convince a homeless young man that patching up his relationship with his family is better than being drunk on the streets.

A man arrested on drug warrants is upset about the BBQ brisket he left on the grill. An intoxicated ladies man flirts with the jail staff and an inmate finds it funny that he sold tree leaves as pot to an undercover officer. Brother turns on brother when a good deed gets mixed with alcohol. A man caught panhandling believes officers should arrest hardened criminals instead of him.

An eccentric jail regular is welcomed back. Man fleeing Mexico details the horrors he escaped. Young woman describes her lucrative fling as a stripper. A woman finds that trying to drink away a bad boyfriend and then asking the boyfriend for bail money is not a good idea. A man collapses during booking after being arrested for drunk driving. Officers have heart to heart with a depressed inmate going through a breakup with a cheating girlfriend.

A woman who says she’s called “Sunshine” has less than a sunny disposition. A man ditches a halfway house for jail to get his life in order. A career criminal shows no regret for his “thug life.” Tense moments in Booking as officers and medical staff try to save a young man from a drug overdose.