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.

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