Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. The line between curiosity and catastrophe is thinner than most people expect. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns uses a series of foraging mistakes to show how curiosity, mixed with a hint of bravado, can turn lethal when people rely on folklore, hearsay, or incomplete information. From toxin- secreting toads and misidentified “magic mushrooms” to a drowning case complicated by zebra mussels and cyanotoxins, each case tracks the same pattern: confidence first, consequences later. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) A radio story from Arizona: people reportedly licking toads to get high • (1:00) A high school “toad hunt” in Kansas goes sideways with the wrong species and 24 hours of vomiting • (2:30) Colorado River toad, 5-MeO-DMT, and why "toad licking" is dangerously misunderstood • (5:45) Case one: a 20-year-old “confirms” magic mushrooms with library photos and dries a batch for tea • (7:30) Psychedelic tea results in vomiting and GI complications, followed by multiorgan failure and death • (12:45) Case two: a drowning case is complicated by foreign shells in the airway and stomach • (15:15) Zebra mussels and cyanotoxins enter the investigation • (22:00) Closing warning: all mushrooms are edible, some only once About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Have a question for Dr. Crowns? Submit them to mayheminthemorgue@gmail.com Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns departs from the show’s usual format to take a forensic look at the Jeffrey Epstein case through the lens of a medical examiner. While Epstein’s death was officially ruled a suicide by hanging, Dr. Crowns re-examines the autopsy findings and scene evidence to address the persistent debate: did Jeffrey Epstein die by suicide or by ligature strangulation? Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (1:45) Epstein’s arrest, time in custody, reported prior incident, and removal from suicide watch (2:30) How Epstein was reportedly found in his cell on August 10, 2019 (3:45) Why the condition of his cell and the scene raised questions for Dr. Crowns (6:15) The ligature evidence, the photographed noose, and why its condition is difficult to reconcile with the scene (7:30) Hanging vs. ligature strangulation: the basic forensic distinction (11:15) Epstein’s ligature furrow, knot position, and why the neck markings are central to the debate (16:45) Petechial hemorrhages, facial congestion, and the difficulty of interpreting signs of struggle (19:30) Epstein’s hyoid and thyroid cartilage fractures and why Dr. Crowns find them unusual (23:30) A forensic comparison of hanging versus ligature strangulation and Dr. Crowns’ final conclusion About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns looks at the often catastrophic and unexpected ways an ordinary drive can turn deadly when a vehicle encounters a hazard on the roadway. Through memories of his old 1979 Mustang and fatal cases involving wildlife strikes, blown tires, and flying road debris, he shows how quickly an everyday trip can turn into a forensic case. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Why fatal crashes are a near-daily part of work in the morgue (2:00) Dr. Crowns’ 1979 Mustang and Beth’s nighttime deer collision in Kansas (4:45) Case one: a deer crashes through a pickup windshield, killing the driver instantly (6:45) Why deer-related crashes happen in the fall, and why time of day and headlights make them even more dangerous (10:00) A tire-blowout beside the ‘79 Mustang on the Memphis beltway (11:45) Case two: a woman is killed after a semi-truck tire smashes through her windshield and roof (15:15) Causes of wheel-off accidents (16:30) Case three: a passenger is killed when a piece of steel falls from a flatbed truck (18:45) Road debris, evasive driving, and the everyday hazards drivers never see coming About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show: Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More: Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content warning: This episode contains graphic discussion of homicide, dismemberment, and postmortem injury. If these topics are upsetting to you, this episode may not be for you. Understanding violent cases sometimes takes creativity and, in one case, a trip to the local craft store. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns tells the story of a horrific double homicide that led him to think beyond the usual tools of forensic pathology, including using a Styrofoam mannequin head to reconstruct one victim's crushed skull. As he describes the injuries, the autopsies, and the challenge of separating damage done before death from damage done after, the episode opens into a disturbing look at synthetic marijuana and the extreme paranoia, psychosis, and violence it can trigger. Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Dr. Crowns recounts a double homicide involving dumpster recovery, mutilation, and a second victim in the roadway (1:15) Why bodies recovered from dumpsters create major forensic and evidentiary challenges (3:15) How forensic pathologists distinguish antemortem trauma from postmortem damage (4:15) Case one: a woman is found decapitated, with extensive chop wounds and mutilation (5:15) The challenge of separating machete wounds from injuries caused by a tile scraper (6:15) Case two: a second victim is found in the roadway after being run over multiple times (7:15) Why the second autopsy became even harder once the victims’ head is found to be severely crushed (8:00) The idea that led Dr. Crowns to stop at the local craft store and the impromptu line that explained the mannequin head purchase (10:00) How the mannequin head helped reconstruct the skull and clarify the wound patterns (11:00) What police say happened during the killings and how the suspect moved from one victim to the next (13:45) What synthetic marijuana is, how compounds like spice entered the illicit drug market, and why K2 can be significantly more dangerous than marijuana (19:15) The effects linked to synthetic cannabinoids: hallucinations, paranoia, violence, and psychosis About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show: Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.   Connect and Learn More: Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some drowning cases only begin to make sense after forensic pathology reveals what was happening inside the body before death. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains how forensic pathologists use vitreous fluid from the eye to detect dangerous electrolyte imbalances like hyponatremia after death, then he shares two memorable cases that show how something as ordinary and necessary as water can become deadly under the wrong circumstances. It is a sobering look at how heat, exertion, overhydration, and underlying mental and physical illness can intersect in ways most people never expect. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, help is available. For support, education, and treatment referrals, contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders at 1-866-663-1235. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Why vitreous fluid from the eye is useful for postmortem toxicology and electrolyte testing (2:30) Sodium basics: how the body regulates hydration, blood pressure, and cellular function (5:15) Case one: a 24-year-old competitive swimmer is found floating face down in a lake (7:30) A mother’s challenge prompts a closer look (8:45) Vitreous electrolyte testing results: critically low sodium and severe hyponatremia (9:45) How heat, exertion, sweating, and drinking only water can trigger exercise-associated hyponatremia (13:45) Why open-water swimming carries a high risk for exercise-associated hyponatremia and neurological collapse (15:15) Final ruling: drowning with hyponatremia as a significant contributing factor (15:45) The Fran Crippen case and the safety rule created to prevent similar deaths in open-water racing (18:00) Case two: a malnourished 21-year-old grad student is found dead after compulsive water consumption (20:45) Psychogenic polydipsia, anorexia, and OCD: how excessive water intake led to fatal dilutional hyponatremia About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show: Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gallbladder is one of those organs most people don't think about until it suddenly demands attention. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns looks back on one of his less glamorous jobs as an autopsy technician in 1988: spending Friday afternoons in the morgue disposing of the week’s surgical specimens and, in one memorable case, clearing marble-sized gallstones from a clogged surgical disposal. He explains gallbladder basics, how gallstones form, and how bile, blocked ducts and acute cholecystitis can turn the often-overlooked gallbladder into the source of a serious medical emergency. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Dr. Crowns’ Friday afternoon job disposing of the week's surgical specimens in the morgue (1:30) The industrial disposal system, the mess, and the risks of the job (4:00) Dr. Crown's discovery of marble-sized gallstones clogging the disposal (5:30) Gallbladder basics: how gallstones form and why many people don't know they have them (8:45) How blocked ducts and acute cholecystitis can turn into a serious medical emergency (10:00) The judge's case: sudden abdominal pain and an unexpected in-chambers medical consultation About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show: Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More: Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when people try to get drunk from products never meant to be consumed? In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains the forensic reality of non-beverage alcohol intoxication, from mouthwash and rubbing alcohol to antifreeze and even hairspray. He shares real cases and describes what these substances do to the body and how medical examiners determine cause and manner of death. What starts as a story about a childhood friend and bottles of Listerine leads into a forensic look at the deadly consequences of ingesting everyday household products. If you or someone you know needs support for substance use, emotional distress, or thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) “Minty Fresh”: the childhood friend who drank Listerine and even tried hairspray (1:30) Household products people drink when regular alcohol is not available (2:15) Why Listerine became the focus: easy access, high alcohol content, and deaths tied to mouthwash (3:15) Alcohol by volume vs. proof: a quick lesson on intoxication math (4:30) Acute alcohol poisoning: how blood alcohol rises, what overdose looks like, and when it turns fatal (6:30) Mouthwash case study: a chronic alcohol user drinks multiple bottles of Listerine and is found collapsed at home (7:30) High anion gap metabolic acidosis: what it is and why it explained the Listerine death (11:00) Rubbing alcohol: a common toxic ingestion, including the risk of using isopropyl alcohol on children with a fever (13:00) Antifreeze deaths: alcohol misuse, suicide, homicide, and why ethylene glycol is so dangerous (15:45) Hairspray as a non-beverage alcohol, the “Ocean” preparation, and Dr. Crowns’ closing message About the Host:  Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationallyrecognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. Chicago commutes can be routine until they are not. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts his years navigating public transportation and the commuter rules he learned the hard way. Through a civil deposition tied to a crash, he explains positional asphyxia, how a catastrophic spinal cord injury can leave someone unable to reposition, and why body position can become the deciding factor when breathing mechanics fail. Dr. Crowns then shares two transportation stories that still stick with him: a speeding cab ride that turns surreal when the driver recognizes him, and a late-night ride out of O’Hare that goes sideways fast enough to end with Dr. Crowns getting out at a random neighborhood intersection. The episode throughline is simple: trust licensed rides, keep your situational awareness, and do not ignore the early signs that a “normal ride” is turning into something else. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) The “Barney-Mobile” era: one car, long commutes, and using public transportation • (1:15) Commuter basics: early trains, conductors, and the “only open seat” rule • (3:45) Cook County court run and Dr. Crowns’ Chicago taxi education • (6:15) Lower Wacker hatchet homicide: an autopsy reveals fatal chop wounds • (9:00) A civil case tied to a roadway hazard and a catastrophic crash • (10:30) Case breakdown: positional asphyxia after a spinal cord injury and a head-down position • (12:00) Positional asphyxia: what it is and what investigators look for • (14:00) Risk groups and common scenarios: children, intoxication, and confined positioning • (15:30) Taxi ride #1: zigzagging, speeding, and the “how does he know my name?” moment • (19:00) Forensic pathology board exams and the travel grind • (22:15) Taxi ride #2: “What have you gotten into?” Locked doors, no meter, dead phone, and worst-case thoughts • (26:15) Exit plan: cash on the console, out into the snow, and hiding until the car is gone • (28:00) Closing takeaway: “Take an Uber.” About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.   Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of deaths, including the deaths of children. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you.   Choking is fast, quiet, and more common than most people think. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains what happens when the airway is fully obstructed, why panic and oxygen loss escalate in seconds, and how irreversible brain injury can follow within minutes. Through a series of cases, he shows how choking deaths present across age groups: swallowing problems in the elderly, intoxication and unpredictable behaviors in adults, and everyday household hazards in children. From pica-related obstructions to foreign-body ingestion and a devastating battery case with delayed, catastrophic injury, Dr. Crowns ties the forensic details to the real-world patterns that show up again and again in preventable deaths. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) Grapes of Death: prevalence, risk groups, and who's most at risk • (1:00) Choking physiology: complete obstruction and the fast countdown to unconsciousness • (2:00) Heimlich maneuver basics and why it works • (4:00) Café coronary syndrome: the misread emergency that can cost a life • (5:15) Case 1: a 22-year-old, trashed room, and injuries that don’t match a fight • (7:30) Adult risk factors: impaired gag reflex, talking while eating, and certain mental health conditions • (7:45) Case 2: pica, latex gloves, and fatal choking • (9:45) Diagnostic criteria and patterns: the obsession, sensory pull, and short-term relief • (11:15) Case 3: ballpoint pen ingestion, bowel perforation, peritonitis, and sepsis • (12:30) Pediatric choking: the biggest hazards and why the youngest kids are most vulnerable • (13:45) How kids’ airways are different: size, shape, larger tongue proportion, and a floppier epiglottis • (14:00) Case 4: a 5-month-old, a missed item on the floor, and a cherry blocking the airway • (15:45) Case 5: swallowed battery, delayed symptoms, burns, erosions, and fistulas into major vessels • (18:15) Closing: prevention, awareness, and why messaging can save lives About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. Courtroom testimony is meant to be clinical, controlled, and objective. In reality, it often cracks open the rawest moments of grief, rage and disbelief. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts cases in which his autopsy testimony triggered emotional outbursts inside the courtroom and, in one instance, nearly followed him into the parking lot. From a slain Chicago police officer whose widow fled the courtroom in anguish to gallery eruptions, post-verdict violence, and a murder trial that ended with Dr. Crowns sprinting for his car, this episode looks at what happens when forensic facts meet human emotion and why the witness stand can become one of the most volatile places in the justice system. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) Introducing Outburst and the book Defending the Damned • (1:00) Dr. Crown’s first appearance in print and the case that put him there • (2:15) The murder of a Chicago police officer and the autopsy findings • (3:30) Testifying in the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building, gunshot wounds to the head, and a widow’s courtroom response • (8:30) Fishbowl courtrooms and how their design changes courtroom dynamics • (9:30) Gallery eruption during a gang-related murder trial • (10:15) A stabbing case, a rapid jury verdict, and violence following “not guilty” • (12:30) A particularly brutal home-invasion murder and its autopsy findings • (17:00) Neck trauma, spinal fractures, and paralysis without immediate death • (18:00) Testifying to extreme violence and a mother’s accusatory outburst in court • (19:45) Sprinting across an empty parking lot and a close call after testimony • (22:00) Verdicts, sentencing outcomes, and final reflections on courtroom outbursts About the Host:  Dr. Kendall Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. When winter weather hits, the danger is not only what happens on the roads, but also what happens when the heat goes out, help slows down, and people misjudge how quickly the body loses it margin for error. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns breaks down hypothermia through three cases: a bascule bridge immersion event, an elderly woman whose final behavior included paradoxical undressing and terminal burrowing, and an unidentified man recovered frozen inside a Chicago railcar. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:15) Winter storm context, power outages, and why hypothermia cases spike • (2:00) Common scenarios in cold exposure fatalities • (2:30) Dry vs. immersion hypothermia and why water changes the timeline • (3:00) Case one: bascule bridge repairs, harness failure, and near-freezing immersion • (4:30) Cold water heat transfer, loss of consciousness, and arrhythmia risk • (5:15) Hypothermia progression: early shivering and impaired judgment, then shivering stops as confusion escalates and paradoxical undressing can appear, including alcohol’s role • (8:00) Case two: elderly woman, initial foul play concern, paradoxical undressing, and terminal burrowing • (10:45) Case three: unidentified man recovered frozen from a railcar in Chicago and what it takes to thaw remains before autopsy • (12:30) Thawing protocol: warming lights, artifact risk, and the unglamorous “poke test” • (14:30) The classic triad and why hypothermia is a diagnosis built from findings plus context About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. In forensic pathology, a single word on a death certificate can carry the weight of an entire investigation. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns details the difference between cause of death and manner of death and explains why manner is often an evidence-based opinion rather than a simple label. He discusses the five standard manners and tests them against real cases, including a multi-fatality crash, Russian roulette, a delayed medical consequence tied to an old stabbing, and an 18-year-old college student whose death remained unsolved. It's a practical guide to how one classification can reshape everything that follows. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:15) Cause of death versus underlying mechanism • (1:45) Manner of death as a classification built from scene context, autopsy, and investigative follow-through • (2:15) The five manner and the NAME guidebook framework for definition and disputes • (4:45) Why “clear-cut” cases still fracture consensus inside a medical examiner’s office • (5:15) Case one: multi-fatality collision and the initial assumption of accident • (7:30) Investigative information changes the classification: suicide attempt by driver, homicide for the victims • (9:30) Court outcomes, public backlash, and why intent to kill is not required for homicide classification • (10:15) Russian roulette, “redneck Russian roulette,” and the never-ending suicide- versus-accident argument • (13:15) Case two: vitreous glucose, acetone, and the autopsy logic behind diabetic ketoacidosis • (16:15) Records connect the death to an old abdominal stabbing that damaged the pancreas and reshaped the manner • (17:30) The “but for” principle and why delayed consequences can still be classified as homicide • (20:00) Case three: 18-year-old college student with no findings, no answers, and an undetermined conclusion   About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Have a question for Dr. Crowns? Submit them to mayheminthemorgue@gmail.com Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of human remains and skeletal material. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. After death, decomposition proceeds predictably, but the fate of what remains is not always controlled. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines the journeys skeletal remains can take long after death. From medical school anatomy labs and public sidewalks to airport cargo facilities and forgotten attics, Dr. Crowns recounts cases where bones became objects of confusion, investigation, and unintended alarm. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) Decomposition, bone persistence, and what ultimately remains after death • (2:15) Medical school anatomy labs and learning from real human bones • (5:30) A forgotten skull on public transportation and a police response • (8:00) A failed carrying strap and an unexpected public reaction • (11:00) Studying anatomy at home and introducing skeletons at Thanksgiving • (13:30) Customs and Border Protection encounters human remains in transit • (17:45) Two skulls intercepted at an airport and forensic evaluation • (20:00) Homeowners discover skulls in their attic • (22:45) Ancient remains, museum custody, and the long journey toward repatriation About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns  Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Have a question for Dr. Crowns? Submit them to mayheminthemorgue@gmail.com Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode discusses the death of an individual. If you’re sensitive tothis topic, this episode may not be for you. Proximity has a way of revealing character, especially when the walls are thin, and patience runs thinner. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns reflects on neighbors whose actions left an enduring impression. From a disruptive medical school neighbor whose behavior eroded routine and focus to a volatile homeowner whose actions escalated into gunfire and a contested death investigation, Dr. Crowns traces how proximity can transform daily life. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:45) Medical school housing and the quiet routine that made it work • (2:15) A new upstairs neighbor and the slow collapse of routine and focus • (4:45) Noise confrontation and the limits of courtesy • (6:00) Retaliation by anonymous landline calls • (10:15) Finals arrive and behaviors spiral • (13:30) Years later, a new home brings a new kind of conflict • (16:00) A routine afternoon in the backyard turns violent • (18:00) Law enforcement responds, but the behavior continues • (22:30) A familiar face arrives in the morgue • (25:00) Gunshot wound analysis and suicide determination About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsiesand testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Have a question for Dr. Crowns? Submit them to mayheminthemorgue@gmail.com Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ever suspect a chemical or toxin exposure, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate assistance. Content Warning: This episode contains information about the deaths of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. In this third installment of Exposure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains the chemical hazards that accompany autopsy work. From formaldehyde used in specimen preservation to tear gas and pepper spray residues that cling to clothing and skin, each substance carries the potential for secondary exposure. He recounts several cases that demonstrate how these agents behave once they reach the morgue, including a fatal standoff involving riot-controlled chemicals and a man who coated himself with insecticide in an attempt to kill mosquitoes. These stories illustrate how chemical contamination can extend beyond the deceased. If you missed the first two episodes in this series, listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 1) and Exposure (Part 2): "TB or Not TB, That Is the Question." Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) Common chemical exposures in the morgue and how they occur • (1:15) Formaldehyde management, long-term irritation, and what happens when an allergy develops mid-career • (3:00) Chemical hazards linked to meth labs, riot control, and suicide scenes • (3:45) Tear gas and pepper spray: how they're made, used, and why they're so difficult to clean from skin and clothing • (6:45) A standoff ends in tear gas contamination and a challenging autopsy • (8:45) Decontamination becomes an exercise in improvisation, with fans, Dawn dish soap, and a forgotten cookout grill• (11:45) “The Nuclear Option”: a man uses insecticide to fight mosquitoes • (14:30) Accidental splash, rising symptoms, and malathion exposure • (18:30) Poison control, the antidote, and the dinner Dr. Crowns never forgot • (24:15) Reflections on safety, recovery, and the lasting legend of “Splashy” the technician About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode discusses the deaths of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns reflects on how celebration and death often share the same season. From Christmas music echoing through the medical examiner's office to a door-decorating contest that nearly led to suspension, he recalls the unusual ways morgue culture adapts to the holidays. Dr. Crowns also recounts a corporate holiday party that ended in homicide, explains the science behind neck injuries, and remembers the “death watch” he and his father kept while delivering newspapers to those who died alone during the most festive time of the year. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:45) Christmas music in the morgue and a memory that tested family tolerance • (3:45) Door-decorating competitions from residency and the Rudolph controversy • (7:30) Holiday parties, the rumored poisoning case, and the politics of the potluck table • (11:00) The dangers of open bars at holiday office parties and a rivalry gone wrong • (14:00) Understanding subarachnoid hemorrhages, vertebral artery tears, and blunt-force trauma • (17:45) Decomposition and the reality of those who die unnoticed, leading to the “death watch” lessons learned on a paper route • (22:15) Closing reflections: the importance of checking in on others during the holiday season About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Have a question for Dr. Crowns? Submit them to mayheminthemorgue@gmail.com Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of death, decomposition, and violence. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. i In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns revisits a case from his years at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office in Chicago. He recounts a death investigation that began as a routine toxicology review and led him into the crumbling towers of Cabrini-Green. When an apparent overdose raised suspicions of carbon monoxide poisoning, Dr. Crowns joined his chief and co-fellow deep inside a housing project marked by gang control, decaying high rises, and the eerie legacy that inspired Candyman. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:15) Inside Chicago's Cook County Medical Examiner's Office and Chicago's scale of urban death investigation • (2:00) A 30-year-old man found dead in his apartment: no injuries, no drugs in sight • (4:15) How carbon monoxide poisons the body and produces its “cherry red” signature • (8:00) The chief's rule: always test for CO to prevent future deaths • (9:45) The M80 ride to Cabrini-Green and its violent reputation • (16:45) The reality of “elevator pirates” and life inside the decaying towers • (18:00) Entering the apartment: crowded room, cigarette smoke, and confusion • (22:45) The basement inspection and the sewage-soaked search for a CO leak • (25:00) The chief's conclusion: secondhand smoke and cocaine toxicity About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.   Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of death, decomposition, and violence. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines the fallibility of non-scientific identification and the consequences when it fails. The case of “Crackhead Carl,” remembered by a single tree, and the story of identical twins mistaken in death both reveal how clothing, jewelry, and circumstance can mislead even the most seasoned investigators. With his characteristic precision and dry wit, Dr. Crowns illustrates why science, not assumption, defines the truth. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) Non-scientific methods of identification: clothing, jewelry, and location as early clues • (1:15) Why dentures, facial features, and decomposition make visual ID unreliable • (3:00) Before digital databases: when family contact and fingerprints were the only available tools • (3:45) “Crackhead Carl” and a small-town identification built on assumption • (5:30) The twin mistaken for dead after his brother’s heroin overdose • (11:30) The family’s reaction and the unsettling phone call that followed • (13:00) A second twin story: the living sister stands before Dr. Crowns with the same face he autopsied the day before • (16:00) The birthmark that confirmed identity and closed the case About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, FortWorth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each. episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a reviewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of infectious disease, autopsy procedures, and workplace exposure. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. In the morgue, danger doesn’t end when the heart stops beating. In this second installment of Exposure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts two life-threatening encounters with invisible hazards that linger within the morgue. From a chance exposure to meningococcal meningitis that turned a friendly chat into a medical emergency, to a tuberculosis case that nearly landed him on a delinquent-patient arrest list, Dr. Crowns reveals the real-world risks faced by medical examiners who work at the edge of science and safety. Part science lesson, part cautionary tale, this episode exposes the ongoing threat of infectious disease and the discipline required to work among it. If you missed the first episode in this series, listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 1) Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) Recap of Exposure (Part 1) and an introduction to autopsy hazards • (1:30) Case 1: Meningococcus: a deadly bacterium and a moment of exposure • (3:45) The friend, the mask, and the realization that came too late • (6:00) Preventive treatment and a lasting reminder to always wear PPE • (6:45) Case 2: Tuberculosis: an ancient pathogen meets modern medicine • (8:00) The resident-year autopsy that led to lifelong TB exposure • (13:15) Public health protocols, medications, and unexpected consequences • (21:00) A near-arrest for missing a medication pickup after his daughter's birth About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Storieswith Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with afriend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode discusses the deaths of individuals and animal scavenging. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. It started with a song lyric: “She was a winner that became a doggie’s dinner.” But behind that darkly humorous line lies a story stranger (and sadder) than the myth it inspired. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns investigates the real story behind the tragic death of silent film star Marie Prevost, separating rumor from forensic reality. Through real cases and forensic insight, Dr. Crowns shows how devotion, biology, and the harsh realities of animal scavenging can collide in the aftermath of death. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:30) A song lyric leads Dr. Crowns down an unexpected rabbit hole • (1:00) The real story of Marie Prevost, her silent film fame, heartbreak, and decline • (2:15) The 1937 discovery, the truth behind the rumor, and how the book Hollywood Babylon distorted the facts • (4:30) From myth to morgue: the forensic reality of postmortem pet scavenging • (6:00) How hunger, instinct, and biology drive behavior in dogs, cats, and even rodents • (7:45) The Chihuahua pack case and the nightmare scene investigators walked into • (9:15) When pet hoarding turns horrific: 20 cats, one body, and the survival instinct at work • (11:15) Displacement behavior and the Memphis case involving a loyal dog, a group of raccoons, and the forensic clue that revealed the truth About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.