Heath Ledger was Hollywood’s rising star. Richly talented with rugged good looks his first Oscar nomination came in mid twenties for his role as a sexually repressed ranch hand in Brokeback Mountain. Two years later Ledger’s versatility saw him deliver one of the big screen’s most unforgettable performances as Batman’s psychopathic nemesis The Joker. But at 3.36pm on January 22nd 2008 Ledger was pronounced dead in the bedroom of his New York apartment. He was just 28 years old. His body was taken for autopsy. But the results were inconclusive and the intensely private actor’s sudden, unexplained death sparked speculation and rumor. Heath Ledger appeared to be in the prime of his life, a hugely talented actor with a glittering future ahead of him. The medical examiner concluded he died from an overdose but was it a tragic accident or had the actor taken his own life? Using the evidence of his post-mortem exam, together with the testimony of friends and colleagues, world renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter investigates the final hours of Heath Ledger.

On March 4th, 2019, the much-loved actor Luke Perry died after suffering a massive, and totally unexpected, stroke. He was just 52 years old. Born in an Ohio backwater, Luke learned to appreciate the simple things in life, but his desire to escape small-town living took him to California. There, after years scraping a living, Luke hit the big time when he landed the role of bad-boy Dylan McKay in the hit teen TV series ‘Beverly Hills 90210’. Idolised by millions around the world, Luke never succumbed to his celebrity status. A humble, generous & talented actor, who loved a quiet family life, Luke was far from a ‘live hard, die young’ cliché. Dr. Michael Hunter uses Luke’s Death certificate and first-hand accounts of Luke’s life to uncover the mystery behind what may have caused the catastrophic stroke that killed this healthy, active 52-year-old actor.

On June 19th 2013 James Gandolfini died of a heart attack in Rome. He was just 51 years old. A famously intense character actor, he was credited with changing the very nature of television acting. First appearing in films such as True Romance and Get Shorty, it was the HBO series The Sopranos that made him a household name. But his dedication to his craft took a deep toll on the actor, and rumors of addiction and excess followed him throughout his career. Now expert pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is re-examining his medical history in order to discover what led him to die of a heart attack at only 51.

Robert skyrocketed to stardom as Mike Brady, America’s favorite father of ‘The Brady Bunch’. Boasting a career that spanned 3 and a half decades Robert starred in over 100 film and television shows. Brought up in Oklahoma, Robert gave the farming life a go before deciding his true passion was acting. After studying as a classical actor, he particularly loved Shakespeare, Robert caught his first big break on the legal drama series ‘The Defenders’. The series won 14 Emmys in its four years on the air and led to Reed signing a development deal with legendary studio ‘Paramount Pictures’. Robert was reluctant when they offered him the father role, in a new sitcom pilot called ‘The Brady Bunch’ but it was the part of Mike Brady that catapulted him to stardom. Robert Reed became a household name, often described as ‘The Dad of America’ and one of the best-known actors of his generation. Alongside the many Brady sitcom spin-offs Robert continued to take on more serious acting roles three of which gave him Emmy nominations. Following breakdowns in his own family relationships Robert took on The Brady family as though they were his own becoming very close to them all across the years. But behind Robert’s jovial on-screen image was an unhappy man who had battled with leading a double life for many years. Robert’s death at just 59 surprised those around him, it was attributed to Colon Cancer but shocking press revelations after he died told a different story. Robert’s public persona was a façade for a myriad of secrets. So why did one of America’s most treasured actors die so young? And how did he succumb to such a deadly disease that killed him so quickly? World renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter unravels Robert’s history, lifestyle and medical past in order to find the answers.

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.

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 July 1st 1991 actor, producer and director Michael Landon passed away at his Malibu home just three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Michael had spent his life defying the odds to become an internationally renowned television superstar. He overcame a miserable childhood spent saving his mother from suicide attempts to become the beloved little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza – a role that changed the course of his life. He went on to write, produce, direct and star in family favorites Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven. In April 1991 when Michael announced to the world that he had pancreatic cancer it shocked Hollywood. The average age for developing the disease is 71. Michael was just 54. Even more shocking was that just 12 weeks later, he would be dead. Now world renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter digs deeper into Michael’s past to understand why he developed the disease in the first place and why he died so quickly, uncovering a number of potentially lethal addictions and the biggest nuclear disaster in US history.

On July 3 2012, Americans were saddened by the death of Andy Griffith. Andy was notoriously private, and very little is known about what happened, or the state of his health in the last few years of his life. Dr Hunter will be analysing every detail in the available information, to piece together what led to his demise. In a career spanning almost seventy years, he had charmed audiences as an actor, comedian and recording artist. But it was his performance as Sheriff Andy Taylor, in The Andy Griffith Show, that catapulted him into the hearts of Americans everywhere. Beloved for this character’s gentle kindness and good humour, audiences believed he was their friend and father figure. But the public perception of Andy was at odds with who he was. Friends recall a Jekyll and Hyde personality and a man who became increasingly reclusive. Andy’s death certificate states that he died as a result of a heart attack, after years of suffering from other illnesses. Dr Hunter’s investigation builds up a picture of a man whose private habits and behaviours left him susceptible to heart disease in multiple ways. Though his death, at 86, may not have come as a surprise, what did raise eyebrows was the fact that he was buried in the grounds of his home within four and a half hours of the 911 call alerting the emergency services that he was unresponsive. As part of his investigation Dr Hunter will uncover whether this bears any significance on the manner in which he died.

A discussion of what’s in store for the upcoming episode of “On Patrol: Live” and a sneak peek of the departments and officers that the cameras will be following that night; the hosts also look back at the most memorable moments from past episodes.

A Live Series following Law Enforcement Officers On Patrol across the country – all live and in real time.

A Live Series following Law Enforcement Officers On Patrol across the country – all live and in real time.

A team of experts representing law enforcement units weighs in on the cases.

Breaking down tough cases in the pursuit of justice with the help of an accomplished team of law enforcement experts.

All-new format focusing on finding missing people and reuniting them with families; experts analyze cases, with multiple experts conducting field investigations; viewers are encouraged to provide tips to help law enforcement find missing individuals.

A team of experts representing law enforcement units weighs in on the cases.

Breaking down tough cases in the pursuit of justice with the help of an accomplished team of law enforcement experts.

All-new format focusing on finding missing people and reuniting them with families; experts analyze cases, with multiple experts conducting field investigations; viewers are encouraged to provide tips to help law enforcement find missing individuals.