Ep 8. Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes was one of the most notorious and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. An American business magnate, investor, aviator, film director, and philanthropist, Hughes was one of the richest people in the world. However, his life was plagued by tragedy, scandal, and controversy, and he became increasingly reclusive and eccentric in his later years. In this episode of Autopsy: The Last Hours Of..., forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Hunter investigates the final days and hours of Howard Hughes, and tries to shed some light on the mysteries that surrounded his death.

Using a combination of medical records, eyewitness accounts, and historical footage, Dr. Hunter pieces together the timeline of Hughes' last days. He examines the various health problems that plagued Hughes throughout his life, including chronic pain, hearing loss, and severe OCD, and discusses the various treatments he received for these conditions. He also investigates rumors that Hughes was addicted to prescription drugs, and looks at the potential impact that these drugs may have had on his health.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Hughes' final days was the way in which he had withdrawn from the world. He lived in near-total seclusion in his penthouse suite at the Xanadu Hotel in Las Vegas, surrounded by a small group of trusted aides. Dr. Hunter talks to some of these aides, as well as to other people who had contact with Hughes in his final days. He uncovers evidence that Hughes was increasingly paranoid and delusional, and had begun to fear for his life.

As part of his investigation, Dr. Hunter also performs a virtual autopsy on Hughes, using digital technology to reconstruct his body and identify any potential health problems that may have contributed to his death. He examines the various medical conditions that Hughes suffered from, and discusses how these conditions may have interacted with each other to produce the symptoms that Hughes experienced in his final days.

Ultimately, Dr. Hunter concludes that while the precise cause of Hughes' death may never be known, it is likely that a combination of factors contributed to his decline, including his various health problems, his addiction to prescription drugs, and his increasingly isolated and paranoid lifestyle. Through his meticulous investigation, Dr. Hunter provides a fascinating insight into the complex and troubled life of one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century.