Autopsy The Last Hours of... Season 5 Episode 17 Glen Campbell
- March 29, 2020
- 44 min
Glen Campbell was a legendary country singer whose career spanned over 50 years, creating timeless hits such as "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Wichita Lineman." He was known for his charismatic personality, and his fans adored him for his smooth voice and exceptional guitar skills. Despite his fame, Campbell struggled with addiction and health problems, which led to his death in 2017 at the age of 81. Autopsy The Last Hours of… Season 5 Episode 17 investigates the circumstances surrounding the singer's sudden death, analyzing his medical history, toxicology reports, and publicized health issues.
The episode delves into Glen Campbell's early life, portraying him as a natural-born talent who learned to play the guitar at a young age and performed with his family's band. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1950s, where he quickly established himself as a session musician, playing for stars such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Campbell's solo career took off in the 1960s, with hits such as "Gentle on My Mind" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" making him a household name. However, fame came at a cost. Campbell's drug and alcohol abuse was a well-known secret among his peers, and his personal life was marred by failed marriages and rocky relationships. As the episode details, these issues contributed to the deterioration of his physical and mental health.
One of the main focuses of the episode is Campbell's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, a progressive disorder that affects memory and cognitive function. The condition came to public attention in 2011 when Campbell was forced to cancel several shows due to memory loss. Despite this setback, he continued to tour and record music, with his final album, "Adiós," released just months before his death. Using medical experts and doctors, the episode analyzes the impact of Alzheimer's disease on Campbell's health and behavior, particularly in his final years, and how it may have contributed to his death.
The episode also investigates the role of Campbell's prescription medication in his death. According to toxicology reports, he was taking a range of medications, including Valium and Opana, at the time of his death. Expert witnesses analyze the effects of these drugs on the body, detailing their potential side effects and interactions. The episode also explores the possibility that Campbell was suffering from respiratory issues, such as emphysema, which may have been aggravated by his smoking habits.
Throughout the episode, Autopsy The Last Hours of… Season 5 Episode 17 paints a vivid picture of Glen Campbell's life, from his humble beginnings as a farm boy in Arkansas to his status as a country music icon. It examines the complex legacy of addiction and health issues, and how they impacted his personal and professional life. The show serves as both a tribute to a beloved musician and a cautionary tale of the dangers of substance abuse and untreated medical conditions. Ultimately, the episode offers an in-depth analysis of the factors that contributed to Campbell's untimely death and reveals important information about the intersection of fame, addiction, and health.