Autopsy The Last Hours of... Season 4 Episode 15 Donna Summer

Donna Summer, dubbed as the "Queen of Disco," was an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like "I Feel Love," "Hot Stuff," and "Bad Girls." However, in the early morning hours of May 17, 2012, the music industry was left in shock as news broke that Summer had passed away at the age of 63. Autopsy: The Last Hours of... takes a closer look at the events leading up to her death and the possible factors that might have contributed to it.

The episode opens with clips of Donna Summer performing on stage and interviews with her friends and family talking about her life and legacy. The host, Dr. Richard Shepherd, a world-renowned forensic pathologist, introduces the case by saying that Donna Summer's death was sudden and unexpected, and the medical examiner attributed it to lung cancer. However, he believes that there might be more to the story and sets out to uncover the truth.

Dr. Shepherd starts by examining Donna Summer's medical history and reveals that she had a long-standing battle with asthma and smoked heavily for many years. He also notes that lung cancer is a slow-growing disease and wonders if there were any warning signs that Donna Summer might have overlooked or ignored.

The investigation takes Dr. Shepherd to Nashville, Tennessee, where Donna Summer had been working on her last album. He meets with people who worked with her and learns that she was a perfectionist and a hard worker, often spending long hours in the studio. He also discovers that Donna Summer was a deeply spiritual person and had a strong faith in God, which helped her cope with the ups and downs of her life.

Dr. Shepherd then examines the toxicological report from Donna Summer's autopsy and discovers that she had traces of several drugs in her system, including the painkiller oxycodone, the anti-anxiety medication lorazepam, and the sedative zolpidem. He notes that these drugs, when combined, can have a dangerous effect on the respiratory system, especially in someone with a pre-existing condition like asthma.

The investigation then leads Dr. Shepherd to Los Angeles, where Donna Summer had lived for many years and where she passed away. He examines the scene of her death and notes that her home was cluttered and messy, which is a sign of emotional distress. He also interviews her husband, Bruce Sudano, and her daughters, who are still grieving over her loss. They reveal that Donna Summer had been feeling unwell for a while before her death and had been seeing doctors for various symptoms.

In the final part of the episode, Dr. Shepherd conducts a simulation of Donna Summer's last few hours based on the evidence he has gathered. He concludes that Donna Summer's death was likely caused by a combination of factors, including her pre-existing asthma, her heavy smoking history, her use of multiple medications, and her emotional distress. He notes that lung cancer might have been a contributing factor, but it was not the immediate cause of her death.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of... Donna Summer is a poignant tribute to an iconic singer who left a lasting impact on the music industry. It sheds light on the complex and sometimes tragic nature of fame and reminds us that even the most talented and successful individuals are not immune to illness and personal struggles.