Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

Jaksot

• Mayhem in the Morgue | Coffin Birth 03.06.2026 29min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses coffin birth, the rare postmortem phenomenon formally known as postmortem fetal extrusion. He explains how human decomposition creates gases, bloating skin, skin slippage, purge fluid, maggot activity, and other artifacts that can change the body after death and sometimes mimic trauma, sexual assault, or other evidence. He also discusses the Shanann Watts and Laci Peterson cases to explain how coffin birth is evaluated and why it must be distinguished from live birth or other possibilities. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) Coffin birth, decomposition gases, and the autopsy artifacts that can complicate a death investigation (0:45) What happens after death: autolysis, putrefaction, and the bacteria already waiting inside the body (2:30) Why decomposition smells so distinct, from rotten eggs and stale urine to rotting fish and foul garlic (4:00) Dr. Crowns remembers his first decomposed body during medical school in Wichita, Kansas (8:15) Inside the morgue with flies, maggots, maggot masses, and the daily reality of decomposition cases (11:45) The Cook County decomposition morgue, the air-handling problem, and one doctor’s very questionable workaround (18:00) Bloating, skin slippage, brighter tattoos, and the forensic details that can help or hinder identification (19:30) When decomposition mimics trauma: ruptured scars, gaping wounds, and the risk of misreading the body (21:15) Purge fluid, mistaken sexual assault concerns, and the importance of separating artifact from evidence (24:00) Dr. Crowns explains postmortem fetal extrusion, also known as coffin birth, through the Shannan Watts case (25:00) Laci Peterson, fetal separation, and why coffin birth must be carefully distinguished from live birth or other possibilities 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 to the often-misunderstood 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 and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. 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 like 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Doggy Death Penalty: Part Two 27.05.2026 15min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns continues Doggy Death Penalty with an unusual thank-you note, a Texas process server killed by a pack of dogs, and the long civil trial that followed. He explains how bite patterns, wound severity, pack behavior, and autopsy documentation helped the jury weigh the central question in court: did all six dogs participate in the attack? The case becomes a lesson in forensic evidence, public safety, and the difficult truth that animals can be deeply loved and still become dangerous. Missed the First Episode? Mayhem in the Morgue | Doggy Death Penalty: Part One Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Dr. Crowns picks up where Part One left off with an unusual thank-you card (2:00) The final fate of the bulldogs and why Dr. Crowns’ “pardon” did not hold (2:15) A Texas process server arrives at a rural property and is attacked by six dogs (4:00) Law enforcement, animal control, neighborhood complaints, and warning signs before the fatal mauling (5:00) Autopsy findings, 455 wounds, and injury patterns pointing to a multiple-dog attack (6:45) A judge orders the dogs euthanized, and the owner begins a lengthy appeal (7:15) The “doggy death penalty” trial and the debate over which dogs participated in the attack (9:30) A dog behavior expert challenges the maternal instinct theory and testifies about pack involvement (10:45) Dr. Crowns takes the stand and explains why the autopsy supported a pack attack (14:00) The jury’s decision, the denied appeal, and the lasting lessons for forensic documentation 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 courthundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood 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 like 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Doggy Death Penalty: Part One 20.05.2026 20min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses the rare but devastating reality of fatal dog attacks. He challenges common breed myths, explains the specific triggers behind predatory instincts, and shares a personal childhood memory of surviving a dog attack at age three. Dr. Crowns also examines a fatal case involving an elderly man mauled by his family's beloved dogs and recounts the strange turn that came afterward when the victim’s grieving family made an unexpected plea regarding the dogs’ fate. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (1:00) Fatal dog attack data, breed myths, and why aggression is not determined by breed alone (3:00) Factors and predatory instincts that can trigger an attack (5:15) Why children can trigger a prey response and Dr. Crowns’ childhood dog attack at age three (9:45) How dangerous dog investigations work and why euthanasia after an attack is not automatic (11:00) Bite wounds, claw injuries, and the Dunbar Bite Scale used to classify bite severity (13:15) Dangerous dog hearings, owner responsibility, and legal requirements for keeping a dangerous dog (14:30) A 77-year-old man is found dead after being mauled by his family’s two English bulldogs (17:15) Autopsy findings, femoral vessel injuries, and the cause and manner of death (19:30) The family’s plea to spare the dogs and Dr. Crowns’ limited role in their fate 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 to the often-misunderstood 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 like 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Death and Dismemberment: Part 2 13.05.2026 18min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns picks up where Part One left off, returning to the Traci Todd case, where dental work found in a damaged skull helped identify the victim and a confession later clarified her cause of death was strangulation. He then continues through the four categories of dismemberment, from defensive and offensive mutilation to aggressive and necromantic cases. Dr. Crowns wraps up the episode by returning to the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case, pointing out the nearly two-week gap between her death and her eventual dismemberment and the lingering questions about what happened during that time. Mentioned in the Episode: Mayhem in the Morgue | Death and Dismemberment: Part 1 Mayhem in the Morgue | Ghost Stories Mayhem in the Morgue | Mom Stuff Mayhem in the Morgue | The Bully Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Recap of the D4VD case, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and the four categories of dismemberment (1:00) Returning to the Traci Todd case after a human skull is discovered in Beaubien Woods (4:30) Identifying Traci Todd through previous dental work and what the recovered remains reveal (5:30) Why Traci’s cause of death was difficult to determine and how Kevin Williams’ mistakes helped connect the case (6:15) Defensive dismemberment, the Traci Todd case, and how cutting a body apart can conceal cause of death (6:45) Offensive mutilation, mental illness and Dr. Crowns’ related case from “Ghost Stories” (7:30) Aggressive mutilation, decapitation, and Dr. Crowns’ related case from “Mom Stuff" (8:30) Necromantic mutilation, body-part retention, and the disturbing forensic conference presentation Dr. Crowns still remembers (17:00) Returning to the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case and the timeline between death, dismemberment, and disposal 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 to the often-misunderstood 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Death and Dismemberment: Part 1 06.05.2026 30min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns analyzes the autopsy of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered and decomposing remains were discovered inside the “frunk” of a Tesla belonging to the artist D4VD. Dr. Crowns explains how medical examiners read decomposition, insect activity, saw marks, and trace evidence to determine what happened before and after death. He also introduces the four major types of dismemberment, using a gang-related homicide and the Traci Todd case to show how these crimes are categorized and what postmortem injuries can reveal. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:30) Dr. Crowns opens Death and Dismemberment, Part One with the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case (3:00) Alleged purchases, disposal materials, and the timeline leading up to the discovery of Hernandez’s remains (5:00) How decomposition changes the body and what insect activity can reveal during autopsy (7:15) What the autopsy report says about Hernandez’s dismembered remains (8:00) How chainsaws mark bone and leave behind significant DNA evidence (10:00) Interpreting injuries from the report: blue plastic fragments, penetrating wounds, and signs of postmortem damage (13:00) Toxicology findings and the official cause and manner of death (14:00) The four categories of dismemberment and why defensive mutilation is the most common (18:15) A gang-related homicide shows how postmortem dismemberment was used for transport (22:00) The Traci Todd case, Kevin Williams, and the missing-person investigation that led to Beaubien Woods 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 NancyGrace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often-misunderstood 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Cold Cases, Lover’s Lane Murder, and the Brown’s Chicken Massacre 29.04.2026 32min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines how forensic pathology, DNA evidence, and meticulous evidence preservation can revive years-long cold cases, specifically focusing on the 1990 Lover’s Lane murder and the 1993 Brown’s Chicken massacre. Dr. Crowns details the physiological realities of neck trauma and the four stages of hemorrhagic shock, and explains how tools like the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) allow investigators to match decades old DNA to identify potential suspects. The episode closes with Dr. Crowns sharing lessons learned from testifying in court and the importance of using precise language. Highlights (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:15) The Lover’s Lane murders, cold case questions, and Dr. Crowns’ follow-up to a recent Crime Stories with Nancy Grace discussion (1:15) Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson are reported missing before searchers discover their bodies in the woods (2:15) What incised wounds reveal about sharp force trauma to the neck (3:00) Why injuries to the carotid arteries and jugular veins can lead to hemorrhagic shock and rapid death (9:00) What Henry and Atkinson likely endured before losing consciousness (10:15) A 2026 tip, CODIS, and the DNA match that may move the Lover’s Lane case toward trial (12:00) How DNA and trace evidence are collected during autopsy and preserved for future testing (14:45) The Brown’s Chicken massacre and how discarded food evidence led to preserved DNA samples (21:30) Breakthrough in the case and the identification of the suspects (22:45) Why substitute medical examiners sometimes testify in older cases and the importance of using precise language in court (29:30) Smith v. Arizona, the confrontation clause, and legal changes affecting substitute testimony (31:15) Closing thoughts on how modern forensic science continues to solve cold cases 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, andKansas. 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 to the often misunderstood 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Lightning 22.04.2026 20min

  In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns examines one of the rarest and most violent natural causes of death: lightning. Using a case involving two teenagers killed in a park, along with the only lightning-related autopsy he has personally performed, Dr. Crowns explains how lightning forms, the different ways it damages the body, and the statistics that show who is most at risk and when lightning strikes are most likely to occur. Highlights: (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns (0:45) Two teenagers are killed by lightning in a park, and Dr. Crowns reflects on growing up weather-aware in Kansas (2:45) A substitute teacher replaces the fired teacher, and a lightning strike on his family’s house deepens Dr. Crowns’ fascination with lightning (4:00) The aftermath of the fatal strike in the park and the severe injuries it caused (5:45) How lightning forms and why lightning deaths are so rare (8:45) Lightning strike statistics, who is most at risk, and when strikes are most likely to occur (10:45) Activities most commonly linked to lightning fatalities (12:00) Dr. Crowns’ only lightning-related autopsy (14:00) The different ways lightning can injure or kill (16:15) How lightning affects the nervous system, heart, lungs, eyes, and skin (17:45) The autopsy findings that can help confirm a lightning death, including Lichtenberg figures 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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Buzzkill 15.04.2026 26min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Epstein 08.04.2026 28min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Look Out! 01.04.2026 21min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Mom Stuff 25.03.2026 21min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | In the Water, No One Can Hear You Sweat 18.03.2026 25min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Gallstones 11.03.2026 15min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Minty Fresh 04.03.2026 19min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Planes, Trains, and Automobiles 25.02.2026 28min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Grapes of Death 18.02.2026 19min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Outburst 11.02.2026 22min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | The Weather Outside Is Frightful 04.02.2026 18min

  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.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | What's the Manner? 28.01.2026 22min

  Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of death of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you. In forensic pathology, a single word on a death certificate can carry the weight of an entire investigation. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns details the difference between cause of death and manner of death and explains why manner is often an evidence-based opinion rather than a simple label. He discusses the five standard manners and tests them against real cases, including a multi-fatality crash, Russian roulette, a delayed medical consequence tied to an old stabbing, and an 18-year-old college student whose death remained unsolved. It's a practical guide to how one classification can reshape everything that follows. Highlights • (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns • (0:15) Cause of death versus underlying mechanism • (1:45) Manner of death as a classification built from scene context, autopsy, and investigative follow-through • (2:15) The five manner and the NAME guidebook framework for definition and disputes • (4:45) Why “clear-cut” cases still fracture consensus inside a medical examiner’s office • (5:15) Case one: multi-fatality collision and the initial assumption of accident • (7:30) Investigative information changes the classification: suicide attempt by driver, homicide for the victims • (9:30) Court outcomes, public backlash, and why intent to kill is not required for homicide classification • (10:15) Russian roulette, “redneck Russian roulette,” and the never-ending suicide- versus-accident argument • (13:15) Case two: vitreous glucose, acetone, and the autopsy logic behind diabetic ketoacidosis • (16:15) Records connect the death to an old abdominal stabbing that damaged the pancreas and reshaped the manner • (17:30) The “but for” principle and why delayed consequences can still be classified as homicide • (20:00) Case three: 18-year-old college student with no findings, no answers, and an undetermined conclusion   About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. About the Show Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations. Connect and Learn More Have a question for Dr. Crowns? Submit them to mayheminthemorgue@gmail.com Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Mayhem in the Morgue | Foraging Misadventures 21.01.2026 22min

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