Mayhem in the Morgue | Tree Fall

In this 50th episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns discusses the forensic realities of fatal helicopter crashes. Drawing from one of his own autopsy cases involving a rancher killed in an ultralight helicopter accident and the reported death of musician Oliver Tree, he explains how aviation fatalities are investigated, the devastating injuries caused by midair collisions, ground impact, and post-crash fires, and how medical examiners determine whether someone died before, during, or after a fire. He also examines the postmortem changes caused by extreme heat and why dental records and DNA often become the only reliable methods of identification.

Highlights

(0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

(0:15) Why helicopter crashes create unique forensic challenges compared to automobile accidents

(1:45) A rancher’s fatal ultralight helicopter crash and the pilot error that caused it

(3:15) The FAA CAMI toxicology kit and the additional testing required after aviation fatalities

(7:00) The reported helicopter death of Oliver Tree and the mechanics of a deadly midair collision

(10:00) How post-crash fires cause fatal burns and how burn severity is classified

(13:30) The rule of nines and how doctors determine whether someone died before or during a fire

(15:15) What charring, pugilistic posture, thermal fractures, and heat-induced epidural hematomas reveal during an autopsy

(19:30) Why teeth and DNA often become the only reliable methods of identifying severely burned victims

(21:00) Celebrating 50 episodes of Mayhem in the Morgue with thanks to listeners and production team

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 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.

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