The BEST episodes of Autopsy: The Last Hours Of...
Every episode of Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Autopsy: The Last Hours Of...!
Global celebrities who died suddenly, unexpectedly and tragically. In the wake of their passing, claims, counter claims, wild rumours and salacious theories were everywhere. But the real truth about how they died doesn’t lie in trashy biographies or internet rumours – it lies in their autopsies. These cold hard medical documents establish exactly what killed them and how and why it happened.
#1 - James Gandolfini
Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/11/2018
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.
Watch Now:Amazon#2 - Steve McQueen
Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/28/2017
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.
Watch Now:Amazon#3 - Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell
Season 9 - Episode 22 - Aired 8/12/2018
Christopher John Cornell was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He was best known as the lead vocalist for the rock bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. Cornell was considered one of the chief architects of the 1990s grunge movement, and is well known for his extensive catalog as a songwriter, his nearly four-octave vocal range, and his powerful vocal belting technique. Cornell struggled with depression for much of his life. He was found dead in his Detroit hotel room early on the morning of May 18, 2017, after performing at a Soundgarden concert an hour earlier.
Watch Now:Amazon#4 - Robin Williams
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/22/2015
Robin Williams was one of the funniest and most gifted comedians of his generation. He burst to prominence in 1978 in the hit TV sitcom Mork & Mindy and won an Oscar for Good Will Hunting in 1997. But just before midday on 11th August 2014, he’s found hanging from a belt secured to a closet door in his home in Tiburon, California. Now, Dr Richard Shepherd is piecing together the events of Robin Williams’ last hours and evidence from the autopsy report to uncover what triggered this suicide.
Watch Now:Amazon#5 - Corey Haim
Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/26/2016
Corey Haim was the poster boy of 1980’s Hollywood, starring in “The Lost Boys”, “Lucas”, and “License to Drive.” Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter examines Corey’s autopsy report to dispel the rumors, and reveal the real cause of the actor’s tragic and untimely death at the age of 38.
Watch Now:Amazon#6 - Dennis Wilson
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/18/2017
Dennis Wilson was the golden boy drummer for the Beach Boys. His good looks, adrenaline junkie attitude and musical prowess made him one of the great heart throbs of rock and roll. But how did an avid surfer end up drowning in less than 15 feet of water? Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter examines Dennis's autopsy report to dispel the rumours, and reveal the real cause of the drummer's tragic and untimely death at the age of 39.
Watch Now:Amazon#7 - Kurt Cobain
Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/18/2017
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.
Watch Now:Amazon
#8 - Maurice Gibb
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/19/2016
Maurice Gibb was one third of global mega band, The Bee Gees. In a career spanning four decades, they sold over 220 million records. They were best known for their disco classics, high pitched singing voices, and boufant hairstyles. Whilst his brothers sang lead vocals, Maurice was the hidden talent that held the band together, considered by insiders to be the musical director. But on Wednesday January 8th, 2003, Maurice Gibb collapsed in agony at his Miami home. He died 4 days later, aged just 53. According to witnesses Maurice Gibb’s death came out of nowhere. So why Maurice went from healthy to collapse to death in 4 days is a mystery. Now forensic examiner Dr. Michael Hunter investigates the forensic evidence.
Watch Now:Amazon#9 - James Dean
Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/29/2018
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.
Watch Now:Amazon#10 - John Denver
Season 7 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/1/2017
John Denver was a legendary singer songwriter whose talent for writing and performing hit singles made him a global superstar. From ‘Country Roads’ to ‘Rocky Mountain High’ to ‘Annie’s Song’ by the mid 70s he was one of America's biggest selling artists. He wrote around 200 songs and sold over 35 million albums. But on the afternoon of the 12th October 1997, experienced pilot John Denver crashed his plane into the Pacific Ocean. This unexplained disaster fuelled rumour and speculation and the investigation was fraught with difficulties as only fragments of John Denver’s plane and parts of his body were recovered from the sea. Now renowned forensic pathologist Dr Michael Hunter is reopening the case into John Denver’s mysterious death.
Watch Now:Amazon#11 - Bernie Mac
Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/17/2017
Bernie Mac was one of the best-loved stand-up comedians of his generation. He worked his way out of poverty, spending 12 years performing in Chicago clubs before hitting the big time in the early 90’s as part of the Def Comedy Jam. After touring relentlessly, he eventually found mainstream success with a string of Hollywood movie roles and his own primetime TV show. But in July 2008 he was hospitalized with pneumonia. After 3 weeks in intensive care he died at the height of his career, aged 50. Now, Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at the death of a unique performer who was loved by millions.
Watch Now:Amazon#12 - Prince
Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/20/2017
Prince, the pop superstar who sold over 100 million records over a 30 year career, was fit, health-conscious, and vehemently anti-drugs. And yet, on April 21st, 2016, Prince died, shockingly, of a drug overdose. The case is still under investigation. Renowned forensic pathologist, Dr Michael Hunter, analyses Prince’s medical history to uncover the possible reasons for his untimely death at only 57 years of age, and to reveal what really happened in the last days of this much loved star.
Watch Now:Amazon#13 - Richard Pryor
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/25/2017
Richard Pryor's shockingly honest, no holds barred performances revolutionised American comedy. And his no holds barred attitude continued off screen with his monstrous appetite for drink, drugs and sex. But during the last part of his life Pryor was struck down with a debilitating illness which left him paralysed and unable to speak. Then, on December 10th, 2005, Richard Pryor dies from a cardiac arrest. But what killed him? Was it his wild past catching up with him? His debilitating illness? Or something else all together? Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter will be examining Richard's medical records to determine precisely was caused the death of this much loved comedian.
Watch Now:Amazon#14 - Jimi Hendrix
Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/12/2016
Jimi Hendrix was one of the highest paid musicians in the world. At the age of 27 he had made 3 multi-million albums and had set the gold standard in rock music electric guitar. But he died in London on the September 18, 1970. The coroner concluded that he died after breathing in his own vomit. But, stating insufficient evidence of the circumstances surrounding his death, he returned an open verdict. Nearly half a century later, his death is still shrouded in mystery. Numerous conflicting accounts of his final hours have obscured the truth and fueled conspiracy theories about drugs overdose, suicide and murder. Now Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Hunter re-examines Hendrix’s death to cut through claim and counter claims and, using the medical evidence, determines precisely how he died.
Watch Now:Amazon#15 - Casey Kasem
Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/10/2016
Radio legend Casey Kasem passed age 82 in June 2014. He had severe dementia. But when his daughters visited him a Santa Monica convalescent hospital five weeks before his death his medical records show there was nothing to suggest his imminent demise. That night his wife removed him from the facility against medical advice. World-renowned forensic pathologist Dr.Michael Hunter investigates the tragic events leading up to his death to determine precisely how and why he died.
Watch Now:Amazon#16 - Johnny Cash
Season 9 - Episode 17 - Aired 6/24/2018
On September 12, 2003, the world was mourning the loss of legendary singer Johnny Cash, who died in Nashville, Tennessee from respiratory arrest. Known for his heavy drug use and reckless attitude to his health, Johnny Cash reached the age of 71 and died shortly after his wife of 35 years June Carter. Many speculated that he died of a broken heart and others believed it was his wayward lifestyle that was to blame. Now, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter is taking a fresh look at Johnny Cash’s death and will reveal whether years of drug abuse and hard-living led to the star’s demise or whether his death was due to something else entirely.
Watch Now:Amazon#17 - James Brown
Season 9 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/15/2018
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.
Watch Now:Amazon#18 - Cory Monteith
Season 7 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/3/2016
Cory Monteith was a global superstar. The clean cut all American quarterback on Glee idolized by millions of teens around the world. The TV phenomenon thrust him to instant stardom in 2009 and his public persona mirrored his on screen character. But on 13 July 2013 he was found dead on his hotel room floor, aged only 31. Forensic Pathologist, Michael Hunter, discovers that Cory was not what he appeared and beneath his clean cut exterior lay a dark and troubled past that would come back to haunt him.
Watch Now:Amazon#19 - Liberace
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/6/2015
Liberace was one of the most charismatic performers of his generation. His meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s made him the highest paid entertainer in the world. His dazzling stage shows and outlandish costumes earned him a vast international following. But on February 4th, 1987, Liberace was pronounced dead at his home in Palm Springs, California. However, the circumstances surrounding the death of one of the world’s most popular entertainers are shrouded in mystery. Liberace’s doctor had signed a death certificate, giving the cause of death as cardiac arrest. But the coroner wasn’t satisfied. He suspected foul play, and two days later, ordered the body to be taken from the mortuary and subject to autopsy, while millions of fans around the world were still in mourning. So what exactly killed Liberace? Dr Jason Payne James examines the case.
Watch Now:Amazon
#20 - Karen Carpenter
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/31/2014
A look at what led to the death of half of the musical, brother and sister act The Carpenters. Everyone believed the musical star had it all, however in 1983, after a history of eating problems she suddenly collapsed and died. Only weeks before her 33rd birthday, the autopsy came back claiming she died of emetine cardiotoxicity, a consequence of anoxeria nervosa. However Dr. Shephard looks over the report and discovers that in Karen's past she had suffered from bulimia, heart problems, massive weight loss, force feeding and hospital stays and was also heavily addicted to a number of drugs that she'd kept hidden from her friends and family.
Watch Now:Amazon
#23 - Whitney Houston
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/14/2014
Whitney Houston was a singer, actress, icon and diva with a once in a generation voice that propelled her into the pop stratosphere, but no amount of talent could protect her from the demons that dragged her to her death in a Hollywood hotel bathroom at the age of just 48. The evidence revealed by her autopsy tells an astonishing story of excess, revealing in detail the damage done by years of abuse - from liver and heart disease caused by alcohol and smoking, to the perforated septum ravaged by repeatedly snorting cocaine - and uncovers the cocktail of drugs that contributed to her death, from prescription medications, to marijuana and free base cocaine. But most importantly the evidence gives us a unique portal into the final minutes of her life alone in a bathroom, finally revealing the truth of what killed her and how she died and every detail of the desperate battle to save her life.
Watch Now:Amazon
#24 - Jim Morrison
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/13/2016
Jim Morrison lead singer of the 1960’s band The Doors was one of rock’s most influential but controversial cult icons. His mesmerizing lyrics and vocals earned him critical acclaim and drew the admiration of an army of fans as his outrageous drink and drug fueled behavior, on and off stage, established his reputation as a rebel and trouble-maker. A biographer described him as “an angel in grace and a dog in heat”. But on July 3, 1971, Jim Morrison was found dead in the bathtub of his Paris apartment. He was just 27. The official cause was given as heart failure but many have dismissed this finding as a “fairy tale “ and his death still inspires rumor and conspiracy theory. Now medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter re-opens the file.
Watch Now:Amazon#25 - John Belushi
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/5/2016
John Belushi was a comedy genius. The gross-out characters he created in Animal House and Blues Brothers were iconic. After a meteoric rise to stardom, 33 year-old he was on the cusp of super stardom. But on March 5th, 1982 he was found dead died in Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont Hotel. Using information revealed in John Belushi’s autopsy report, Dr. Michael Hunter investigates his final days and hours to reveal the cause of his death.
Watch Now:Amazon