Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... Season 9 Episode 10 Dana Plato

In season 9 episode 10 of Autopsy: The Last Hours Of..., the show delves into the tragic death of actress Dana Plato. Known for her role as Kimberly Drummond on the hit '80s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, Plato's life took a dark turn when she struggled with addiction and financial troubles.

The episode starts with a brief overview of Plato's life and her rise to fame. However, as the show's title suggests, the focus is on the last hours leading up to her death. The narrator explains that on May 8th, 1999, Plato and her fiancé, Robert Menchaca, were visiting his family in Moore, Oklahoma. Plato was living in a recreational vehicle at the time, and Menchaca was reportedly trying to help her get back on her feet.

The first half of the episode is dedicated to interviews with Plato's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as experts who examine the toxicology report from her autopsy. The interviews give insight into Plato's struggles with addiction and mental health, including her battle with depression and her use of prescription drugs. The experts explain how these issues likely contributed to her death.

The second half of the episode focuses on the events leading up to Plato's death. The narrator explains that on the day of her death, Plato and Menchaca visited a video store, where they rented a movie. Surveillance footage from the store shows Plato looking disheveled and slurring her words. The couple also visited a nearby Boost Mobile store, where Plato appeared agitated and Menchaca made a comment about her drug use.

Later that evening, Plato and Menchaca returned to his family's home. In interviews with Plato's niece and Menchaca's brother, we learn that the couple argued several times throughout the evening. Menchaca's brother also mentions that he saw Plato take a 15-milligram dose of the painkiller Lortab.

In the final act of the episode, the show's experts discuss the cause of Plato's death. They explain that while Plato had several prescription drugs in her system, the lethal dose was likely a combination of Lortab and the muscle relaxant Soma. The experts also discuss the circumstances surrounding Plato's death, including the fact that Menchaca discovered her body in the recreational vehicle they were living in.

Overall, season 9 episode 10 of Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... provides a detailed and informative look into the events leading up to Dana Plato's death. Through interviews with those who knew her and analysis of her toxicology report, the show sheds light on the mental health and addiction issues that plagued the actress in her final years. The episode also raises important questions about prescription drug use and the factors that contribute to overdose deaths.