Autopsy: The Last Hours of... Season 7

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Chris Farley Feb 12, 2018 The death of Chris Farley is spotlighted.

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George Michael Feb 19, 2018 We don't have a summary for George Michael yet. Hang in there, or go ahead and contribute one.

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David Bowie Feb 26, 2018 An examination of David Bowie's death from cancer.

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Mary Tyler Moore Mar 5, 2018 Mary Tyler Moore was the sweetheart of American television, starring in two of the most successful sit-coms of all time. She paved the way for strong, independent women on screen and captured the era’s spirit of freedom and optimism. But behind the iconic smile was a life beset by tragedy, illness and addiction. On January 25th, 2017, Mary died of a cardiac arrest in Greenwich Hospital, Connecticut – at the age of 80. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is investigating the events leading up to her final heartbeat to explain the cause of death.

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Farrah Fawcett Mar 12, 2018 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.

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Andy Kaufman Mar 19, 2018 On May 16th 1984, unique comedy talent, Andy Kaufman, died from a rare form of lung cancer at just 35 years of age. Renowned for his eccentric stage routines and comedy sketches on the TV show ‘Saturday Night Live’ he went on to gain international fame playing ‘Latka’ the goofy mechanic in the 70’s sitcom ‘Taxi’. A master of invention, he told friends he was going to fake his own death, leading some to believe he did not die. In this episode, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter, examines Andy Kaufman’s medical history to try and discover what caused the death of this comic phenomenon at such a young age.

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Andy Warhol Mar 26, 2018 Andy Warhol rose to fame in the 1960s as the trail-blazing leader of the pop art movement. He was on the cutting edge of everything – from painting to film, from sculpture to music – and his images and ideas helped define American popular culture. Yet even as he achieved superstardom he remained an enigmatic and controversial figure. On February 22nd 1987, the most famous living artist died unexpectedly in a New York hospital, at the age of 58. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case into Andy Warhol’s mysterious death.

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Muhammad Ali Apr 1, 2018 Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers the world has ever known. Over a career spanning 21 years he became the heavyweight champion of the world an incredible three times .But on June 3, 2016 Muhammed Ali died after a long battle with Parkinson’s. But Parkinson’s is not fatal. So what killed him? Some believe Muhammad Ali fought for too long. Now, forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is reexamining the case to see what brought about the end of this one world-class athlete.

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Miles Davis Apr 9, 2018 In September 1991 the legendary Jazz trumpet player Miles Davis died suddenly after going in to hospital for what he described as a ‘routine tune up’. He was just 65 years old. Rumors of addiction and ill health plagued him throughout life, but the exact cause of his death has remained obscure. Now, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter is re-examining his medical history in order to finally reveal the true cause of Miles Davis’ death.

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James Brown Apr 16, 2018 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.

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Mama Cass Elliott Apr 23, 2018 On July 29th 1974, Cass Elliot was found dead in a flat in London. She was 32 years old and her death shocked the world. One of the most influential figures of the hippy scene, she rose to fame as a member of folk-rock band The Mamas and The Papas, who took the world by storm with their hit single ‘California Dreamin’ along with a string of classic songs. Cass was loved and respected by everyone who knew her and her voice made her famous world-wide. Frank Sinatra once sent her a personal note saying “you have the best phrasing of any singer I’ve ever heard”. Redefining perceptions of how female artists should look and behave, she became a role model and icon for every girl that didn’t fit in at the high school prom. But her appetites for excess were as legendary as her voice. At her worst, she would get into her big convertible Cadillac and drive into the worst parts of town to score drugs. And her rollercoaster career was matched by an equally turbulent personal life. Her death was followed by speculation and rumour, had she choked on a ham sandwich? Had she overdosed on drugs? Was the cause of her death covered up in some way? The official verdict at the time was that she had died from fatty myocardial degeneration due to obesity. However it’s rare for someone of 32 to die from that alone. World renowned Medical Examiner Dr Michael Hunter believes there were other factors at play and is taking a fresh look at the evidence to uncover the truth behind what killed Cass Elliot.

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Episode 12 Apr 30, 2018 In September 1955, the twenty-four-year-old actor and figurehead of teen rebellion, James Dean died in a horrific car crash near Cholame in California. For more than 60 years mystery has surrounded the cause of the crash as Dean was an accomplished racing driver travelling on a straight road in good conditions. Now, expert Coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter is reopening the case using testimony from family, friends, crash experts and biographers to finally reveal the real cause of James Dean’s death.

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Episode 13 May 7, 2018 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.

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Episode 14 Jun 4, 2018 George Michael was one of the most brilliant performers of his generation. In a career spanning 35 years, his talent for creating enduring music led him to become one of the greatest recording artists of all time. Following global fame with the pop group Wham!, his solo career sent him into the stratosphere and for a time, it seemed, he was unstoppable. But the death of both his lover and mother, along with the pressures of hiding his homosexuality, resulted in severe depression. Away from public view, this gifted star hid a tortured soul. He would sit at home with the curtains closed, ingesting all kinds of chemicals and alcohol – numbing himself to the pain that never went away. A string of lurid headlines documented a slide into self-destruction, which only ended with his untimely death, at the age of 53. It was attributed to natural causes, but rumour and suspicion that other forces were at play persist. Dr. Michael Hunter investigates what was going on in the singer’s body that caused him to die so suddenly, at such a young age.

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Episode 15 Jun 11, 2018 On 29th November 2001 amid much secrecy former Beatle George Harrison died after a short battle with lung cancer. His death at the relatively young age of 58 shocked fans across the world, especially since he had been allegedly been given the all clear just months earlier.… so did something go wrong? In this episode, expert coroner and Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Hunter examines George’s medical history and hears from some of his close friends to try and work out what caused his cancer and if his lifestyle and career contributed in any way to his death.

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Episode 16 Jun 18, 2018 In January 2016 rock music icon David Bowie died from cancer just 2 days after his 69th birthday. His death came as a total surprise – but it quickly emerged that Bowie had kept terminal illness a secret for 18 months from even his closest friends. Now, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at David Bowie’s death and will reveal the truth about the cancer that killed him and how Bowie staged managed the perfect finale for this ultimate showman.

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Johnny Cash Jun 25, 2018 Now crucial medical evidence gained from the actual autopsies explains what killed the stars and reveals how they died, finally putting an end to the speculation.

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Lou Reed Jul 9, 2018 Provocative and iconic rock star Lou Reed transformed the face of modern music; from his teens, the founding member of Velvet Underground lived a life of outrageous excess, pushing everything beyond the limit.

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Gram Parsons Jul 16, 2018 Gram Parsons’ death is the focus.

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Roy Orbison Jul 23, 2018 Remembering Roy Orbison (1936-1988), whose hits included “Pretty Woman.”

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Florence Ballard Jul 30, 2018 The story of Florence Ballard, a founding member of the Supremes. She parted ways with the group in 1967, and struggled with alcoholism and depression after an unsuccessful solo career. She died of a heart attack in February 1976 at the age of 32.

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Chris Cornell Aug 13, 2018 The life and death of Christopher John Cornell, best known as the lead vocalist for tSoundgarden and Audioslave.

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Hugh Hefner Aug 20, 2018 The death of Hugh Hefner (1926-2017) is examined.

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Tammy Wynette Sep 10, 2018 The death of country icon Tammy Wynette (1942-98) is examined.

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Carrie Fisher Sep 17, 2018 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?

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Barry White Oct 7, 2018 Forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter investigates Barry White's medical history to get to the bottom of what caused his untimely death.