UPCOMING EPISODES

Steve Jobs was a visionary product designer who revolutionised the computer world with much loved products like the iPod, iPhone and iPad. His instinctive understanding of what the public wanted made his company, Apple, the highest valued corporation in the world. But on October 5th, 2011, Jobs died of a rare and easily treatable pancreatic cancer which has a high degree of survivability. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter examines Steve’s medical records to discover why such a wealthy man with so many resources at his disposal, who was also passionate about his health and diet, died so unnecessarily?

In 2009 Americas most famous and Iconic TV Pitchman died at his Florida home. He died unexpectedly aged just 50 years old. Billy had made his fortune pitching innovative products on American TV and at his height, he was on TV more than any other celebrity. Together with his partner Anthony “Sully” Sullivan the two made over a billion dollars in sales over a ten year period. But despite the wholesome man in the street image, Billy’s death was to prove as controversial as it was unexpected. Billy’s life was a full on journey from his humble roots to his millionaire lifestyle, but there was more to Billy that the world saw through the prism of a TV screen. Now Dr Michael Hunter uncovers some surprising hidden and controversial truths about the life and death of TV Pitchman Billy Mays.

On September 27th, 2017, Media Magnate, and International Playboy Hugh Hefner or Hef as he liked to be known died at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverley Hills. Hef’s death certificate reports that he died of a cardiac arrest. But he was incredibly fit for a 91-year old, still at the head of the Playboy Empire, and hosting huge Hollywood parties. So what happened? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter needs to analyze every detail in the limited available information to piece together what was really going on Hef’s body to find the answers.

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.

On May 8th 2020, the entertainment world was rocked by the news that legendary Las Vegas illusionist Roy Horn had become a victim to the coronavirus pandemic. As one half of Siegfried and Roy, he was the animal-tamer who helped re-invent the magic act as multi-million-dollar spectacle. It was during a traumatic childhood in post-war Germany that Roy developed a unique ability to communicate with animals. In partnership with budding magician Siegfried, he took his talent to the stage – and the pair developed a live act that starred cheetahs, lions and tigers. They went from touring the clubs of Europe - to scoring their own headline residency as the hottest act in Vegas. They performed over 30,000 shows, becoming one of the most successful live acts of all time – and the official ‘Magicians of the Century’. But in 2003 tragedy struck – when Roy was mauled onstage and almost killed by one of his tigers. He was left permanently paralysed – but his strength to survive and recover from the incident was heralded as close to miraculous. Then, at the age of 75, he died from complications due to coronavirus. It’s a highly contagious disease, but has a low mortality rate – and 94 per cent of those who die have at least one other pre-existing health condition. So what made Roy’s infection turn fatal? 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 his body to find the answers.

On September 4th 2006 Australian zookeeper and wildlife expert Steve Irwin was tragically killed while filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. Steve had won global notoriety as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, handling deadly snakes, toxic reptiles, and apex predators on programmes watched by an estimated worldwide audience of 500 million. But the world was shocked to learn that, at the age of just 44, the seemingly invincible conservationist, had been killed by a creature not known for being aggressive or dangerous – a stingray. Now, world renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating what led one of the world’s most iconic wildlife experts to be killed by an otherwise docile animal?

On June 8th 2018, the world was stunned by the news that award-winning writer and TV presenter, Anthony Bourdain had taken his own life. He was the punk rock chef who found fame as the hip new face of food and travel television. After 25 years of toiling in the restaurant business, living pay check-to-pay check and battling drug addictions, Anthony’s sudden success came in his early 40s, when his memoir ‘Kitchen Confidential’ lifted the lid on the hidden world of New York restaurant kitchens. The book was a best-seller and Anthony’s mix of streetwise cool, no-nonsense smarts and restless creativity made him a perfect fit for television. A new life outside the kitchen beckoned, and Anthony spent the best part of 20 years filming his global travels, seeking out food, culture and conversation. His hit shows included No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown – the winner of seven Emmy Awards – and his career was at on all-time high. But suddenly, at the age of 61, he hung himself in his hotel room, while filming in France. So what happened? World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyse every detail in the limited available information to piece together what exactly caused the well-loved TV host to take his own life.

Actress, Carrie Fisher died on December 27th 2016, four days after losing consciousness on a transatlantic flight. She was the daughter of Hollywood royalty, best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films. But she had a dark side and wrote a series of best-selling books about her battles with addiction although she was thought to be drug free before she died. In this episode world renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter unpacks Carrie Fisher’s unusually inconclusive official cause of death which is listed as ‘undetermined factors’. What really caused Carrie’s death at the relatively young age of 60?

On December 28th 2016, the world was shocked and saddened when the much loved Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds died, just one day after the death of her daughter, the actress and writer Carrie Fisher. Did the shock of her daughter’s death play a part, or was Debbie’s death so soon after Carrie’s, simply a tragic coincidence? Debbie Reynolds became Hollywood’s golden girl after rising to fame in the 1952 musical Singing In The Rain. Over the next 6 decades she starred in over 40 movies, including How The West Was Won, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Tammy and Mother. She also toured extensively and performed in Vegas. In later years she found a new generation of fans with TV appearances such as Grace’s mom in Will & Grace. She worked for 40 weeks a year, only retiring at 82. She used to say “I went through three sets of luggage, you can imagine what happened to my body”. Debbie’s personal life was plagued with difficulties. In 1955 she married Eddie Fisher, one of the biggest singing stars of the decade. They were the media darlings of the day, famous all over the world. They had two children, Carrie and Todd. But Debbie’s world was rocked when Eddie left her for her good friend Elizabeth Taylor. Two subsequent marriages, to Harry Karl and Richard Hamlett failed. Both of them ruined her financially. The other big heartache for Debbie was her daughter Carrie’s bipolar disorder and drug addiction. There was much speculation that Debbie had died of a broken heart, but the official cause of death given is a stroke. Strokes can be caused by many things, and grief alone isn’t one of them. Dr Hunter’s investigation needs to build up a picture of her overall health if he’s to understand how Debbie Reynolds died.

Judy Garland was one of the world's most recognised talents and her legendary career in film and on stage spanned generations. As a child star she won millions of fans playing Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' and she went on to pack movie theatres and concert halls with her extraordinary voice. But as well as being famous for her tremendous talent she was also known for her turbulent lifestyle and stormy love life. Not long after her wedding to fifth husband Mickey Deans, on June 22, 1969, she was discovered dead in her bathroom. Judy’s sudden death sparked rumour and speculation and now Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, examines her medical records to reveal exactly what caused the demise of this legendary Hollywood superstar.

On March 23, 2011, actress and Hollywood legend, Elizabeth Taylor, died of a cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. Her death at 79 caused shock waves around the world at the loss of one of the world’s last great movie stars. Despite her glittering career, Elizabeth Taylor’s life had been blighted by ill health, tragedy and failed marriages leading to addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs. In this episode, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter examines Elizabeth Taylor’s extensive medical history to try and discover what caused the death of this Hollywood icon.

Natalie Wood was Hollywood’s hottest actress for her generation. She married screen legend Robert Wagner not once but twice. They were the Hollywood dream couple and enjoyed a spectacular lifestyle. But on November 29th, 1981, during what was supposed to be a relaxed weekend sailing trip, 43 year old Natalie was found dead. The cause of death was officially certified as ‘accidental drowning’ but why Natalie Wood left the yacht and drowned has never been answered: was it accident, suicide or something more sinister? Now medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries.

In the golden age of Hollywood Marilyn Monroe eclipsed all others. Through a series of hit films in the 1950s she became the ultimate sex symbol. Her iconic look made her one of the most photographed, most famous women on the planet. But on 3.50 am on August 5th 1962 Marilyn was pronounced dead in the bedroom of her Los Angeles home. In spite of her success, Marilyn suffered chronic insomnia, severe anxiety and depression and died with bottles of prescription pills at her bedside. Her death was declared a ‘probable suicide. ’ But this official uncertainty and rumors of affairs with both John F and Robert Kennedy opened the floodgates to fifty years of conspiracy theories and allegations that Marilyn was murdered. Now world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is piecing together the events of Marilyn’s last hours, using the autopsy report and her recently revealed private medical records. Here, buried deep in the archives, he discovers a damning piece of fresh evidence, allowing him to offer a startling new conclusion and finally reveal who was responsible for the death of Marilyn Monroe.

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.

On the evening of January 20, 1993, actress and style icon Audrey Hepburn died of a very rare form of abdominal cancer, at the age of 63. With an Academy Award and ten Golden Globe nominations, Audrey was admired not only for her starring roles in My Fair Lady, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and War and Peace but also for her style, grace and elegance. Following the birth of her two sons she retired from acting and became a humanitarian ambassador travelling the world with UNICEF, bringing attention to the plight of children in war torn countries. It was during her last trip to Somalia with UNICEF in 1992 that she started to feel unwell with severe abdominal pains and only 3 and a half months later she was dead. World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter needs to analyse key moments from Audrey’s life and her medical history, in order investigate and find the answers as to what caused Audrey’s rare cancer and why she couldn’t be saved.

On September 13th, 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco - Grace Kelly - drove her old Rover 3500 car off the edge of a mountain road above the famous principality. She died in hospital the following day, aged just 52. The crash brought to an end a life lived almost entirely in the public eye; first as the iconic star of some of Hollywood’s best loved movies and then as the wife of Prince Rainier, ruler of the tiny Mediterranean enclave. In the wake of Grace Kelly’s death it proved hard to get at the truth of what had actually happened. A police investigations encountered obstacles and the Palace appeared to close ranks. It was said that Grace had suffered a stroke at the wheel and this married with her family history of high blood pressure, a thing little understood at the time. But what is the truth of Grace Kelly’s final hours? Conspiracy theories multiplied in the vacuum left by the Palace’s silence. World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter analyses the details of this fascinating case to discover the answer.

On January 14th, 2009, the revered actor, Ricardo Montalbán, died from Congestive Heart Failure at 88 years old. Born in Mexico, he discovered a passion for acting while studying English in the USA. His natural charm and good looks mixed with an innate talent led to an on-screen career that spanned seven decades. As charming off-screen as he was on-screen, Ricardo masked a life-long struggle with chronic pain, and was compelled to use his place in society to forge battle against racism in Hollywood. Dr. Michael Hunter uses Ricardo’s Death certificate and first-hand accounts of Ricardo’s life to uncover the truth behind the devastating heart failure that killed this 88-year-old actor.

On January 22nd 1994, just one day after his 72nd birthday, actor Telly Savalas died in bed at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles, but he is immortalized in the most famous part he played, bald headed Detective Theo Kojak, the world’s best known and best loved cop. Telly rose from a roller coaster childhood which saw him pitched from private school and privilege into living in the harsh realities of New York’s Lower East Side during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. He never intended to be an actor but in his mid-thirties he attended an audition by chance and ended up winning the part which launched his on-screen career. He quickly won plaudits from critics and moviegoers alike as a screen heavy, playing chilling psychopaths who exuded an easy charm, before landing the part of hard-nosed but kind hearted cop Kojak on the small screen. He became an unlikely sex symbol, and embraced the Hollywood lifestyle eagerly, and that may have been his downfall. The death certificate states that he suffered kidney failure as a result of bladder cancer – but while almost half of those diagnosed with Bladder cancer survive for 10 years after diagnosis, Telly was dead within a month…and many still attribute his death to a different cause. What was the truth behind the rumors, and could his celebrated bald head be connected with what really killed him. World renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze every detail of Telly’s life to piece together the facts of what happened to end it.

On July 19th 2014, the world was shocked and saddened by the news that beloved American actor and producer James Garner had died at the age of 86. James had made a name for himself as one of the most genuine stars of his generation boasting a career that spanned 6 decades. Starring in over 85 movies and television shows James created some of our most loved TV characters including Maverick and Jim Rockford from The Rockford Files. Born into poverty, James had a difficult childhood growing up in the small town of Norman Oklahoma at the start of the great depression. His teenage years were tough due to an abusive stepmother and a lack of interest in any of the numerous jobs he tried. Then In 1950 he became the first man from Oklahoma to be drafted to the Korean War where he sustained numerous injuries. James then caught his first acting break by chance after discovering an old friend had become an actor’s agent and following a contract with legendary film company ‘Warner Brothers’ the role of Maverick catapulted him to Hollywood stardom. He was one of the few actors that made it big in both film and television, in a time when it was rare to do so. James became a folk hero to other actors when he won huge legal battles against two of the biggest studios, breaking his contract and clawing back hidden revenues. Known for his effortless acting and his humorous anti-heroes he was one of Hollywood’s highest ranked actors but behind James’ smile there was hidden pain and we discover he had secretly battled ill health for over 35 years. James suffered from multiple life-threatening conditions, he underwent numerous surgeries and struggled both mentally and physically. James died of a heart attack at the age of 86. Why did one of our most treasured actors succumb to this fete? And how did he battle ill health for so long? World renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze James’ history, lifestyle and medical past in order to find the answers.

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.

Sir Roger Moore died of liver cancer in 2017 at the age of 89. The famously modest and unassuming British actor had been many people’s favourite James Bond. Where Sean Connery had played 007 straight, Roger had played him for laughs. He’d identified the joke at the heart of the role – James Bond, the secret agent so familiar that everybody knows his favourite drink. For Roger Moore, Bond was a parody or he was nothing. But Roger’s swashbuckling, devil-may-care Bond had belied a life of serious health problems. He was not as robust as the movie image of indestructibility suggested. Roger’s life story read like a medical textbook with major ailments at every turn. It had started with near terminal double-pneumonia at the age of five – the doctor had told his father he’d be back in the morning with a death certificate. The son of a south London policeman, Roger had been forced to reinvent himself at RADA - the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art – after being told that his cockney accent wouldn’t do. This, coupled with his father’s advice to remember that success might be short lived fostered in him a sense of life’s precariousness. His international standard hypochondria and almost pathological self-deprecation were the consequence. His critics described his acting as wooden and shallow and deep down, he probably agreed with them. But as his friend, Sir Michael Caine says, making it look easy is the hardest thing. Sir Roger had made friends wherever he had gone, and long before the end of his life had been elevated to the status of National Treasure without ever quite understanding how. World-renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter analyses the details of this fascinating case to unearth the truth behind Sir Roger Moore’s death. He had suffered years of ill health and fought three different types of cancer but had somehow made it to the age of 89. Maybe there had been more 007 in Sir Roger Moore than he had let on.

On October 31st 2020, the world was shocked by the news that legendary star of the silver screen and the man who optimized James Bond, Sean Connery, had died. As one of the original action heroes Sean had been dealing out thrills and spills to moviegoers for over sixty years by the time of his death. Born in the middle of the great depression Sean would rise from absolute poverty to become one of the most recognizable faces on the planet. When Sean was the first cast as Ian Flemmings literary super spy, James Bond, in 1962 he was relatively unknown, outside a few small roles on British television, but within just 7 short years, he would have five hit films with the franchise under his belt and millions in the bank as a wave of “Bondmania” took over the world. Life from the outside seemed to be all smooth sailing for Sean and he would die in The Bahamas surrounded by his loved ones at 90 years old. But behind closed doors, Sean suffered from cancer scares, potentially lethal throat polyps and in his later year's severe dementia. Interestingly Sean’s death certificate would list old age as a contributing factor, this is unusual as old age itself is not a cause of death, no one dies from old age but rather the illnesses you contract in the later stage of your life and the bodies incapacity to deal with them. So if old age is listed as a cause, what did Sean do in his life to achieve such longevity and what really killed him? World-renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze every detail available to piece together what was really happening in Sean's body and how it lead to his death.