Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines how an ordinary day outdoors can turn deadly after an encounter with bees, wasps, hornets, or fire ants. Using real forensic cases, he explains the four stages of anaphylaxis, the aggressive nature of killer bees, and how forensic pathologists determine whether an insect attack caused, contributed to, or merely complicated a person’s death. Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Why stinging insects can turn an ordinary summer day into a fatal emergency (1:30) Dr. Crowns’ childhood story involving yellow jackets, his brother, and a very bad idea (5:30) How stinging insects are classified and the anatomy of stingers (6:15) The Schmidt sting pain index and the varying pain of insect stings (9:00) Sting frequency, allergic reactions, and seasonal danger patterns (11:00) Case one: a fatal bee swarm after a lawn mower disturbs a nest (13:30) The difference between bees, wasps, hornets, and the threat of killer bees (19:15) The four stages of anaphylaxis and autopsy findings that help confirm a fatal reaction (24:00) Case two: a woman found covered in fire ants, and what really caused her death 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 sharp medical insight and dark humor 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 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 [email protected] 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. 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 review See 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.

Content Warning: This episode discusses the deaths of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you.   A leg on the shore, a hand with no body, and a pair of feet in yellow socks. Every fragment tells a story, and every story leads somewhere unexpected. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns investigates the unsettling cases where only parts arrive in the medical examiner’s office, and the truth must be reconstructed piece by piece.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) When the medical examiner’s office receives only parts of a body: heads, hands, and torsos (1:45) The case of the unclaimed pinky finger (3:30) A leg washes up on the shore of Lake Michigan, exposing the reality of what happens when bodies meet ship propellers (6:30) A pair of traumatically amputated legs discovered on the roadside in blood-stained yellow socks (7:45) Matching the legs to a hit-and-run victim discovered twelve miles from the point of impact   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 autopsy findings, field investigations, and animal-related trauma. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. What begins as a curious question about a patterned injury turns into a full-scale ranch investigation involving a horse, a farrier, a sheriff, and one very angry Chihuahua named Pepe. In this sequel to Hoof Prints (Part1), Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns returns to the scene to discover what truly happened that night. The question, as always, remains the same: was is methamphetamine, alcohol, or women that caused a man to do the thing that led to his death? One perfect hoof print reveals the answer.   🎧 Haven’t heard Part 1 yet? Listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Hoof Prints (Part1)   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Recap of the first hoof prints case and how this investigation began (1:15) A night of partying turns deadly on a Texas ranch (2:45) A patterned head injury raises the question: rock or hoof? (3:45) The farrier and the sheriff join Dr. Crowns to test the theory (5:30) Printing a horse’s hoof and a surprise appearance by Pepe, the angry Chihuahua (9:15) The perfect impression that confirms the cause of death (10:30) Final reflections from the field and lessons learned from the pasture   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 autopsies, workplace injuries, and bodily hazards. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. They say the dead can't hurt you. Anyone who's worked in a morgue knows better. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns begins Exposure, a two-part look at the hidden hazards of working among the dead. From bees buzzing out of body bags to bullets, snakes, and sparking pacemakers, these true stories prove that even in death, the threat of harm is still alive.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:45) The dead are still dangerous: hazards that arrive with the body (1:15) Bees, scorpions and other stinging surprises (3:15) A garter snake slithers out of a body bag (4:45) When lice from a deceased patient cause an office-wide infestation (7:40) The six main autopsy hazards: mechanical, sharp force, electrical, chemical, radiation, and infection (10:00) Back injuries and gurney accidents caused by the morbidly obese (12:15) Slippery floors, crush injuries, and repetitive strain (13:00) Sharp force dangers: knives, scalpels, broken glass, and needles (15:00) Decomposition fluid, broken bones, and close calls (17:15) Electrical hazards and sparking pacemakers (18:00) Radiation exposure and the early days of fluoroscopy (19:30) Closing reflections: the dead are always dangerous   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 disturbing descriptions of the death of an individual. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. In the stillness of dawn at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, a baby’s cry echoes through the halls, breaking the silence of the morgue. In this special Halloween episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns shares eerie encounters from his forensic pathology career that defy explanation. From the spectral Lady in Red who visits dying patients to a gruesome Halloween murder displayed on a suburban porch, these stories teeter on the edge of science and the supernatural.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) The morgue on Halloween: no ghosts, no portals, just an ordinary workday (2:30) Sounds of a baby crying in the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and a haunting coincidence (4:45) Linda Turner’s story: a dying patient’s wise advice for a young Dr. Crowns (12:45) Lady in Red, a spectral figure said to visit dying hospital patients (18:00) The Halloween homicide: a son, his mother, and a gruesome porch display (27:00) A Halloween “scary story” assignment takes an unexpected turn when the teacher learns it’s real   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 autopsies, bodily fluids, and morgue mishaps. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you.   In ninth grade, Kendall Crowns spent a day at the local morgue, arranged through his father’s friendship with a medical examiner. One autopsy was enough to set his course for life. Decades later, he has seen how morgue tours have a way of separating strong stomachs from the squeamish. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explores the fainting fits, sudden bouts of vomit, and the unforgettable lessons learned when visitors get the vapors.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Kendall Crowns’ first autopsy at age 14 (4:00) The case that set a career in motion: witnessing a Russian roulette victim’s autopsy (7:15) The FBI agent who knocked himself unconscious on a morgue door (7:30) Why morgue tours often end in fainting or vomiting, and how to spot the signs (9:30) A boasting cadet crumbles after a cyst explodes (11:30) The resident who fainted, recovered, and went on to become a chief medical examiner   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 decomposition, autopsy findings, and homicidal investigation. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you.   A floating trash can on the Chicago River leads to a grisly discovery. Inside, duct tape, chains and tarps conceal a body. Nicknamed “the submarine,” the case exposed just how strange body disposal attempts can be. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts the investigation from his days at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office where a body dumped in the river resurfaced in unforgettable fashion.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Inside the massive Cook County morgue cooler, built for mass disaster victims (3:30) The dreaded trash can cases (4:45) The “submarine”: a duct-taped trash can pulled from the Chicago River (6:45) Opening the can: tarps, chains, slime, and a smell like “unwashed elephant anus” (8:30) After a disastrous attempt to drain the contents, the body emerges (10:45) Autopsy findings: blunt force trauma, cocaine use, and possible asphyxia   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, ranging from courtroom drama to deaths that even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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 autopsy practices and morgue mishaps. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. A $50-a-case job, a scalpel, and almost no training.  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns looks back on his early days as an autopsy technician. From botched haircuts and awkward funeral home encounters to wheeling a body across a sunny hospital parking lot, these road trip mishaps show how even mistakes can shape a medical examiner’s career.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Landing a $50-a-case job as an autopsy technician in the 1980s (1:15) Training on the fly with little more than a scalpel and a saw (2:00) A less-than-friendly resident, endless “running the intestines,” and a bag of hair for the funeral home (4:30) Moving a body to the “mysterious white building” across the parking lot in broad daylight (9:15) A windowless van, a collapsing gurney, and a body on the pavement   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 autopsy findings and the accidental death of an individual involving animal trauma. If you're sensitive to detailed accounts of injury and investigation, please proceed with caution. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns unpacks the strange case of a 75-year-old man found dead beside a horse trailer. What began as a question of accident or homicide quickly turned into a hoof-print analysis and a chaotic field investigation with the donkey named Arnold. From pattern matching injuries to near misses in the pasture, this case shows that sometimes the truth really is in the hoof print.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) A ranch hand goes missing and turns up dead (1:00) Strange pattern injuries and internal damage (1:45) Accident or homicide? The investigation begins (2:15) The case of the aggressive bull (3:45) The horse has an alibi, the donkey does not (4:45) Hoof print as evidence? (5:45) Cows, fog, and Arnold enters the scene (7:15) Donkey wrangling gets dangerous (8:45) A forensic near-miss and a smeared print (10:15) Match confirmed. Arnold did it (11:00) Innocent bull, roaming donkey, and one accidental death   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, ranging from courtroom drama to deaths that even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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.

What happens when a classroom of fourth graders learns that their guest speaker once autopsied a Star Wars actor? In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts his career day presentations, the bizarre questions kids love to ask, and the one time he was derailed by a child named Monty. From explaining forensic pathology to grade schoolers to calming a room full of kids convinced that Darth Vader actually killed someone, this story shows that sometimes the toughest crowd is not in a courtroom, but a classroom.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Career days and the mission to spread forensic pathology (1:00) How to make autopsy talk school friendly (2:15) Spielberg, Jaws, and the art of showing just enough (4:00) The bizarre questions kids ask (5:00) "Who is the most famous person you have autopsied?” (5:30) The Star Wars actor autopsy story (6:45) Chaos breaks out in the classroom (8:00) Monty vs. logic, round one (8:15) “Darth Vader gave him cancer,” Monty strikes again (9:00) Teacher to the rescue (9:45) Lessons learned about grade schoolers   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, ranging from courtroom drama to deaths that even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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 autopsy findings, decomposition, and animal predation. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you. A fisherman’s disappearance, his empty boat, and circling alligators lead to a grim discovery. In a separate case, a family Labrador retriever trots home with her latest find, a human head. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns investigates two extraordinary cases of scientific identification, showing that forensic science can reveal the truth in the strangest circumstances.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) An introduction to scientific identification and how it helps solve difficult cases (2:15) Stomach contents, swamp water, and the first clues of what really happened (5:00) A second case: Carly the Labrador retriever brings home a human head (6:15) Mummified remains are tested, and DNA reveals the victim’s connection to the U.S. Marshals’ Most Wanted list (8:15) A press conference overshadowed by an unexpected star: the dog   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, ranging from courtroom drama to deaths that even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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 fatal injuries and autopsy findings related to a fireworks-related death. If you’re sensitive to detailed accounts of trauma, please proceed with caution.   What happens when alcohol, bravado, and high-powered explosives mix? In this explosive episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns breaks down a July 4th case that began with fireworks and ended in fatal blunt force trauma. What seemed like a freak accident soon turned into a full-blown forensic experiment, complete with shattered ribs, broken equipment, and one very disgruntled physicist.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) The fatal trifecta: alcohol, meth, or women? (1:00) Fireworks 101 — and why they don’t belong on your chest (2:00) A party turns tragic (2:30) Autopsy reveal devastating internal injuries (3:30) The physicist with a luggage scale (4:30) Broken scales slow-mo failures and scientific dead ends (5:00) Enter Bonnie: the PhD student with the right tools (6:15) Blistered thumbs and the final answer — 90mph to the chest (7:00) The final cause: intoxication, bravado, and a deadly decision   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, ranging from courtroom drama to deaths that even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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.

Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue, an unfiltered, often absurd look inside the world of forensic pathology. In this episode, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts the day a routine courtroom testimony over a strangulation case turned into a showdown with a defense attorney, a sticky note, and a very impatient judge. What began as standard expert witness work spiraled toward a contempt charge, a trip to the judge’s chambers, and one critical phone call that kept Dr. Crowns out of county lockup.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (1:00) The strangulation case (3:00) A sticky note becomes a legal weapon (4:00) The defense attorney’s tactics (4:30) Choosing between a boss’s wrath and a night in jail (6:00) One phone call in the judge’s chambers   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, performing thousands of autopsies and testifying 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 cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. With gallows humor and unflinching detail, Dr. Crowns shares investigations that range from decomposing feet with no bodies to deaths even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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 death of an individual, including details of electrocution and injury, which some listeners may find distressing.   Two burn marks on the chest. No sign of fire. A man collapses at work and is pronounced dead. In this episode, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns walks through a case that seemed straightforward until a witness came forward with a story that changed everything.   Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) “We don’t autopsy in a vacuum.” (1:30) Middle-aged man collapses at work (2:00) Mysterious burn marks (3:45) Witness confession (5:00) Deadly misuse of a defibrillator (5:45) Actual cause of death   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, performing thousands of autopsies and testifying 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 cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. With gallows humor and unflinching detail, Dr. Crowns shares investigations that range from decomposing feet with no bodies to deaths even seasoned pathologists struggle to explain.   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.

Welcome to the debut episode of Mayhem in the Morgue — an unfiltered, insightful look into the world of forensic pathology, hosted by veteran medical examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns. With more than 35 years of experience in death investigation, Dr. Crowns brings a unique perspective shaped by countless real-world cases. In this premiere episode, Dr. Crowns rewinds to his very first day on a forensic pathology rotation during medical school, when a potential homicide call spiraled into something far more bizarre: a fatal case of autoerotic asphyxia. What followed was a crash course in death, dignity, and the unpredictable mechanics of a Wiffle ball bat. It’s chaotic, educational, and a vivid example of just how strange real life — and death — can be.   Highlights: ● (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue ● (0:30) First day on the job — and straight into the deep end ● (2:00) A supposed homicide takes a wildly unexpected turn ● (4:30) “Cut him down, Kendall”: initiation by rope ● (5:30) Rookie mistakes and awkward landings ● (6:45) Lessons you never forget ---   About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Kendall Crowns is a nationally recognized forensic pathologist and a frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. His career has taken him from tornado-ravaged Kansas, to the blood-streaked banks of the Mississippi, gang-torn Chicago, and the meth-fueled madness of Texas. With thousands of autopsies under his belt, he brings unparalleled insight into thestrange, grisly, and sometimes absurd world of death investigation. About the ShowMayhem in the Morgue takes listeners deep into the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable realities of forensic pathology. Each week, Dr. Crowns shares gritty stories from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and cases that range from unsettling to unforgettable — think decomposing feet with no bodies, courtroom bombshells, and the kinds of deaths that even seasoned pathologists can’t quite explain. If you think you’ve heard it all… you haven’t. Connect & Learn More You can learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn, catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever 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.

It’s chaos, blood, and body parts. Join Dr. Kendall Crowns each week as he discusses stories and cases from his over 35-year journey with death, from the tornado alley of Kansas, to the bloody Memphis shoreline of the muddy Mississippi River, to the ultra-violence of Chicago, and finally, the methamphetamine fueled insanity of Texas. Encompassing his days as an autopsy tech, medical student, resident/fellow, and finally as a medical examiner, his stories range from humorous to horrifying and cover a wide variety of topics from week to week. You will never know what you’ll hear, will it be courtroom drama, decapitations, gangland shootings, feet with no body, or chihuahuas feasting on the flesh of decomposing bodies? The cases will never end. It will always be different, and there is never a dull moment. So tune in each week and climb aboard, your nightmares will never be the same. Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners deep into the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievablerealities of forensic pathology. Each week, Dr. Crowns shares gritty stories from the morgue, thecrime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and cases that range fromunsettling to unforgettable — think decomposing feet with no bodies, courtroom bombshells,and the kinds of deaths that even seasoned pathologists can’t quite explain.If you think you’ve heard it all… you haven’t. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.