Autopsy: The Last Hours of...

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.

Rue McClanahan was beloved for playing the sassy Southern Belle, Blanche Devereaux, on the classic show “The Golden Girls.” But behind the smiles, Rue’s life was blighted by heartbreak, disease and near-death experiences. Her cause of death was reported as a stroke, which is most commonly caused by a blood clot to the brain. Mysteriously, however, Rue was taking the drug Warfarin, which is a powerful anticoagulant medication specifically designed to prevent blood clotting. So why did the actress die of a stroke at the age of 76? World renowned Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter needs to analyze every detail of the limited information available to piece together the answer.

On May 17th 2012, after nearly 40 years as the Queen of Disco and First Lady of Love, Donna Summer died at her home in Naples, Florida. While Donna grew up in a strict religious household she would go on to be defined by the raunchy Disco music she made with hit music producer Giorgio Moroder. But when Donna passed away from cancer, the public knew had no idea she was even ill. Donna shrouded her final months in secrecy, with her death coming as a shock to extended family members. Even more shocking was the family’s announcement of what they thought was the true cause of Donna’s death….so what really happened to Donna Summer? 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 in the Disco Diva’s body to find the answers.

On March 4th 1994, beloved comedy actor John Candy was found dead in Durango Mexico, where he had been working on what would become his final film, Wagons East. Candy rose through the ranks of the celebrated Second City theatre group, and went on to appear in over 40 films, winning acclaim for his performances in classic films such as Splash, Cool Runnings and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. His death certificate stated that he died of a heart attack – but what was the cause? John Candy was known for his larger than life persona, and he battled with his weight throughout his life. But it seems that events that unfolded in Mexico on the set of Wagons East could have also contributed to his shocking and untimely death at the age of just 43. World renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter will analyse every detail of Candy’s death certificate, along with the testimonies from those closest to John, in order to understand what ultimately caused the death of a Hollywood icon.

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.

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 peculation 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?

On April 25th 2002 Lisa “Left -Eye” Lopes was killed in a mysterious car crash in the depths of the Honduran Jungle. The road was quiet, conditions were dry and initial reports suggest that hers was the only car on the road. Lisa was one third of the phenomenally successful girl band TLC and her death was met with shock and hysteria. Lisa was 5ft tall but her feisty volatile nature often brought her into contact with the law. Yet at the height of TLC’s fame she began to spend more and more time in a mysterious Jungle retreat that was set up by self-proclaimed healer Dr Sebi. Did Dr Sebi’s strict dietary regime have any influence on her tragic accident? In this episode, Forensic Pathologist Dr Michael Hunter looks at the last three weeks in the life on this musical Icon to try to work out how and why she was killed.

The legendary Howard Hughes died at the age of 70 on April 5th 1976. He had unrivalled success as a pioneering business magnate, Hollywood movie producer and a record setting pilot and his visionary achievements changed the course of history. He founded the Hughes Aircraft Company and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and he bought RKO pictures and Trans World Airlines, or TWA as well as owning vast swathes of Las Vegas. He also gained a reputation for dating a string of Hollywood stars including Katherine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. But despite becoming one of the richest men in the world, for the last 20 years of his life Howard Hughes almost completely disappeared from public view and his body went into steady decline. Now world-renowned pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is scrutinising Howard Hughes’ incredibly detailed autopsy to discover the real reason for his mysterious death.

Actor, Producer and Director Michael Landon passed away at his Malibu, California home on July 1, 1991 just three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The Doctors address the conspiracy theories that surrounded actor Michael Clarke Duncan's sudden death of a heart attack in 2012 at the age of 54

Davy's acting and singing talents garnered international acclaim and by 19 years old, he was the first of four to be cast in the whacky TV show about a failing pop band, The Monkees.

Luther Vandross was one of the brightest stars in the music business in the 80s and 90s; His career faltered in the 90's,but in the early 2000's, He was making a successful comback when disaster struck, he was victim of a massive stroke

The music world was stunned when outrageous entertainer and colorful funk star Rick James was found dead by his housekeeper; his excesses took a dark turn when in 1991, he was accused of kidnap and torture, resulting in a prison sentence.

in 2015, Aaron Hernandez was convicted of murdering Odin Llyod, the boyfriend of his Fiancee's sister. At 303am on April 19, 2017, while serving a life sentence, he was found dead in his prison cell

Chyna's life unraveled after she left WWE and she became infamous as a casualty of drug and alcohol abuse; After a mysterious 4 year long exile eon Japan, Chyna returned to the US intent on reinventing herself

Garry Shandling's death at 66 shocked his fans and the show business community and during his career, he garnered over 60 awards or nominations, including Emmys with his self-analytic and self deprecating humor.

Forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter, examines Greg Allman’s death certificate and other documents to review what was going on inside Allman’s Body that causes tragic death.

Dr. Hunter unravels the details of Prodigy’s life-long battle with sickle cell anemia and seeks to shed light on the reason for his death.