UPCOMING EPISODES

Amy Winehouse was one of the most gifted singer songwriters of her generation. Her multi-award winning album Back to Black has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Her soulful voice, the raw honesty of her lyrics and witty, down-to-earth personality won the hearts of millions. But at 3.30pm on July 23rd 2011, she was found dead in the bedroom of her home in Camden, North London. At the inquest, the coroner concluded she had died of alcohol poisoning. Winehouse fought a very long and public battle with addiction. But in the weeks leading up to her death, she had made huge progress - she was clean of drugs and she was trying to tackle her alcoholism. So why did Amy Winehouse suddenly drink herself to death? Using information revealed by her autopsy, testimony heard at the Inquest and eyewitness accounts, world renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter investigates the last days of Amy Winehouse.

Janis Joplin was a true rock and roll icon and her explosive performances electrified audiences around the world. She fully embraced the rock and roll spirit of the age and had a music career that was going stratospheric. But on October 4th 1970, aged just 27 years old, Janis Joplin died alone in her Los Angeles hotel. Her body lay undiscovered for 18 hours. Forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter is using Janis Joplin’s autopsy report to build up a picture of her last days and hours to find out exactly how this young, talented musician suddenly died.

Known affectionately as “The Last Great Rockstar”, grunge icon Scott Weiland died on December 3rd, 2015. The singer and songwriter was just 48. his death came suddenly while on the road with his new band The Wildabouts. Scott sold over 20 million records as lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, and super-group Velvet Revolver, and he famously lived the rockstar lifestyle to the full. As sales skyrocketed he indulged in all the excesses that come with success in the music business, but all the time he was battling alcoholism and mental illness. At the height of his career he developed a devastating heroin addiction, and towards the end of his life his behaviour became increasingly unpredictable and erratic. The Examiner’s Report cites mixed drug toxicity as the cause of death - but there was no heroin found in Scott’s system, and renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter believes that Scott’s well documented drug use doesn’t present the full picture. He investigates Scott’s troubled past and discovers a catalogue of traumatic events and dangerous activities in Scott’s lifestory. Together they created the circumstances for him to die suddenly and without warning on a cold winter’s day alone on his tour bus.

In April 1994, the twenty seven year old musician and self styled prince of grunge, Kurt Cobain was found dead at his Seattle mansion with a gunshot wound to his head. A suicide note was found at the scene and the police quickly concluded that Kurt had taken his own life. But for more than twenty years controversy has raged over the cause of Kurt’s death with many claiming he had too much heroin in his system to have shot himself. Expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter has examined all the available medical evidence and with testimony from family and friends to finally reveal the real cause of Kurt Cobain’s death.

On August 6th 2004, the music world was stunned when outrageous entertainer and colourful funk star Rick James was found dead by his housekeeper in his LA home. He was 56 years old. Adored by women, Rick James was an 80s Motown sensation and lived the classic drug-fuelled rock-n-roll lifestyle. However, his excesses took a dark turn when in 1991, he was accused of kidnap and torture, resulting in a prison sentence. Upon release, he turned his life around but something went terribly wrong and things took a turn for the worse. Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating Rick James’ death and will look into his autopsy report, witness statements and first-hand accounts to reveal why this accomplished, charismatic and popular star died suddenly, alone at home.

James Brown was one of the most iconic and revolutionary performers of all time. He was known as the ‘Godfather of Soul’, ‘the Inventor of Funk’, ‘the Grandfather of Hip-Hop’ and ‘the Hardest Working Man in Show Business’ and he sold tens of millions of records. After decades at the top, the most sampled man in history was still touring in his 70s but on Christmas Day 2006 he died unexpectedly in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case into James Brown’s seemingly death.

On the afternoon of April 1, 1984, the day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was shot by his father. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is reopening this bizarre case to discover what was happening both psychologically and physiologically to the bodies of Marvin Gay senior and Marvin Gaye junior at the time of the shooting that may explain the reason behind this tragic case of filicide.

On August 6th 2004, the music world was stunned when outrageous entertainer and colourful funk star Rick James was found dead by his housekeeper in his LA home. He was 56 years old. Adored by women, Rick James was an 80s Motown sensation and lived the classic drug-fuelled rock-n-roll lifestyle. However, his excesses took a dark turn when in 1991, he was accused of kidnap and torture, resulting in a prison sentence. Upon release, he turned his life around but something went terribly wrong and things took a turn for the worse. Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating Rick James’ death and will look into his autopsy report, witness statements and first-hand accounts to reveal why this accomplished, charismatic and popular star died suddenly, alone at home.

James Brown was one of the most iconic and revolutionary performers of all time. He was known as the ‘Godfather of Soul’, ‘the Inventor of Funk’, ‘the Grandfather of Hip-Hop’ and ‘the Hardest Working Man in Show Business’ and he sold tens of millions of records. After decades at the top, the most sampled man in history was still touring in his 70s but on Christmas Day 2006 he died unexpectedly in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case into James Brown’s seemingly death.

On the afternoon of April 1, 1984, the day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was shot by his father. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is reopening this bizarre case to discover what was happening both psychologically and physiologically to the bodies of Marvin Gay senior and Marvin Gaye junior at the time of the shooting that may explain the reason behind this tragic case of filicide.

Florence Ballard was the founding member, and original leader, of the Supremes - the most successful female group in history. With enduring classics such as Stop! In the name of Love, they had 10 number one hits in just 3 years. But for Flo, the fame and the pressures of the business were just too much to cope with. She turned to alcohol, and was kicked out of the band she founded at the age of just 23. Within a few years she was a single mother of three living on welfare, and by the age of 32 she was dead. Expert pathologist Dr Michael Hunter uncovers the truth behind her tragic early death.

At 09:50am on August 16, 2018 Aretha Franklin tragically died, aged 76. Aretha will endure as one of the world’s greatest ever vocalists, who entertained us for over 50 years with her unique brand of gospel, soul and pop music. Her genius reached into many diverse genres of music, and she wrote and produced some of the most enduring classics of modern times, setting the bar for modern vocalists. Renowned for her generosity, Aretha stood for civil rights worldwide, and gave voice to the struggles of millions of people. A fiercely private woman, Aretha overcame her own childhood trauma and had to face tragedy and heartbreak throughout her life as she battled with booze, cigarettes and her diet. Aretha was always a fighter, and she bravely resisted the rare but treatable cancer that finally took her life. So how did she come to have this fatal disease? Dr Michael Hunter, world renowned medical examiner, will investigate and analyse all the available evidence; Aretha’s medical history and first hand accounts from her life, to find out what caused the deadly cancer that took such an incredible icon’s life.

Bob Marley was a musical revolutionary who brought reggae to the world stage. He was also known for his love of playing soccer and subscribing to the Rastafarian lifestyle which promoted healthy eating and living. But on May 11th, 1981 Bob Marley died in a Miami hospital at just 36 years of age. Widespread disbelief at his death meant conspiracy theories about a possible assassination quickly circulated. Now, over 30 years later, Forensic Pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at his medical records and examining eyewitness accounts to finally reveal what really caused the death of this musical icon.

On July 4th 2003 ‘The Guru Of Love’ singer/songwriter and producer Barry White died of a cardiac arrest at just 58 years of age. A self-taught pianist who couldn’t read music, he rose from the tough streets of Los Angeles to become a 100-million-album-selling superstar whose deep-voiced soul music became the seduction theme of the 1970’s. Not only was the star dedicated to his music, he was also a doting father to his eight children, but for much of his life he was plagued with ill health. In this episode leading forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter, investigates the star’s medical history to try get to the bottom of what caused his untimely death.

On the afternoon of April 1, 1984, the day before his 45th birthday, Marvin Gaye was shot by his father. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is reopening this bizarre case to discover what was happening both psychologically and physiologically to the bodies of Marvin Gay senior and Marvin Gaye junior at the time of the shooting that may explain the reason behind this tragic case of filicide.

James Brown was one of the most iconic and revolutionary performers of all time. He was known as the ‘Godfather of Soul’, ‘the Inventor of Funk’, ‘the Grandfather of Hip-Hop’ and ‘the Hardest Working Man in Show Business’ and he sold tens of millions of records. After decades at the top, the most sampled man in history was still touring in his 70s but on Christmas Day 2006 he died unexpectedly in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case into James Brown’s seemingly death.

On August 6th 2004, the music world was stunned when outrageous entertainer and colourful funk star Rick James was found dead by his housekeeper in his LA home. He was 56 years old. Adored by women, Rick James was an 80s Motown sensation and lived the classic drug-fuelled rock-n-roll lifestyle. However, his excesses took a dark turn when in 1991, he was accused of kidnap and torture, resulting in a prison sentence. Upon release, he turned his life around but something went terribly wrong and things took a turn for the worse. Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating Rick James’ death and will look into his autopsy report, witness statements and first-hand accounts to reveal why this accomplished, charismatic and popular star died suddenly, alone at home.