February, 1979: Punk icon, suspected murderer and heroin addict Sid Vicious has just been released from Rikers prison in New York City. After a night of celebrating his freedom with friends and family, he wakes suddenly. Hell-bent on self-destruction, Sid ingests a massive amount of heroin into his recently drug free body. Sid is discovered dead the next morning. Join us as we delve into his past to uncover the series of events that led to Sid's death and reveal for the first time a shocking revelation that sheds new light on his last day.
This compelling series unlocks the hidden secrets, psychological flaws and events that resulted in the tragic deaths of some legendary global icons. In early March 1982, comic actor John Belushi is on a drug fueled binge in L.A. He's far from those that love him and protect him from his own excesses. Belushi has been battling his drug addiction for seven years. Throughout the night, he ingests the massive amount of drugs that finally get the better of him. We investigate the root of Belushi's drug addiction and uncover the events that led to his final reckless act.
After a tough day on set, Hollywood golden boy River Phoenix hits L.A's fashionable nightclub The Viper Room. He's looking forward to getting on stage and jamming with his friends. This is a moment he's been waiting for. When the plan changes, a disappointed Phoenix ingests a lethal cocktail of drugs, staggers outside and collapses on the sidewalk. Paramedics are unable to revive him and he dies shortly after. Be there as we recreate Phoenix's last day to tell the tragic tale of a young man whose short life was dominated by the constant pressure to perform.
He was an author trapped in the body of a rock star. His drug-fuelled adventures were legendary and became the basis of one of the classics of 20th century literature. Thompson's constant questioning of authority and wild antics made him a hero for a generation of rebels across the globe. But in the end it wasn't enough. A lifetime of alcohol and drug abuse was taking their toll and at 67, with a broken leg, two hip operations and in chronic pain Thompson could no longer live up to the legend he'd created. On February 20, 2005, he decided to end it all with one of his favorite possessions, a Smith and Wesson 45. We chart the life of this troubled genius and uncover why a bullet to the head was the only way out.
On his last day alive soul superstar Marvin Gaye is depressed and paranoid. He's abandoned his latest tour and is holed up at his parents' house in Los Angeles, California. His excessive drug use escalates and with it, the tension in the home. Soon, his lifelong power struggle with his father explodes in a violent climax as Marvin provokes his father into shooting him twice. We delve into the Prince of Motown's violent childhood to uncover the root of Marvin's strained relationship with his strict father and to understand his struggle with drugs.
He was American royalty and a cultural icon. JFK Jr.'s promise of living out his political legacy bequeathed to him on the day of his father's assassination was cut short over the Atlantic Ocean one hot July night. Kennedy's death and that of his wife and sister-in-law, were the result of a series of bad decisions Kennedy had made during his last day. A day plagued by stress when his life depended on his ability to think clearly. We examine the string of errors that led to his tragic demise.
On February 8, 2007, the famous American sex goddess is in Fort Lauderdale to buy a boat but she's been so sick she hasn't been able to leave her hotel suite. Anna Nicole is running a fever and fighting flu symptoms. She's also taken an unpredictable cocktail of prescription drugs to help her deal with the recent tragedy of her twenty-year old son's death. When Anna Nicole can't be wakened from her sleep, her friends quickly realize something is seriously wrong. She is rushed to the hospital, where she is pronounced dead. Through exclusive interviews with her closest companions, combined with archive and dramatic reenactments, her final hours are pieced together, and the dramatic events that led to her surprising death by accidental drug overdose are revisited.
On July 15, 1997, Gianni Versace, probably the most famous fashion designer in the world, sets out alone on his morning walk to pick up his newspapers and magazines. Since his arrival in Florida, Versace has been followed by an envious admirer; a desperate loser turned serial killer who has traveled 2000 miles to destroy him. Andrew Cunanan is obsessed with Versace and has been carrying a seven-year grudge that has grown into a desire to kill the celebrity, a man he met only briefly. Through exclusive interviews with his intimates, combined with archive and dramatic reconstruction, Versace's last day alive is mapped out, and the dramatic events that led to his brutal murder are replayed.
July 2, 1971. Jim Morrison is one of the most famous rock singers in the world. He's also the ultimate sex symbol, but Morrison is at war with his own dark demons. In 24 hours his darkness will consume him and he'll be dead. Using archive footage, dramatic reenactment and interviews with his closest companions, we detail the last hours of Morrison's life and the gripping events that led to his tragic death in Paris.
She was the undisputed queen of rock and roll, her powerful, bluesy vocals, unmatched. But, at age 27, a blast of nearly pure heroin cut short her tumultuous life. This episode traces the roots of her addiction and uses archive footage, dramatic reenactments and interviews with her closest companions--including her brother and former band mates--to piece together the last 24 hours of a voice of a generation.
September 6, 1978: Keith Moon is one of the most outrageous rock'n'roll performers in the world. As the genius drummer for The Who, wild-man Moon is a non-stop party animal. In 24 hours, however, the party will be over... And Moon will be dead. Featuring archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with his family and closest companions, Final 24 documents the final moments of this rock star's life.
June 12 1994: Vibrant, funny, and beautiful, Nicole Brown Simpson appears to have it all. With loads of money, a great body, and two adorable children, the ex-wife of football legend O.J. Simpson is living the Hollywood dream. In 24 hours, however, the dream will be brutally shattered, Nicole will be dead, and her ex-husband will stand accused in the murder trial of the century.
April 18, 1993: One of the most notorious religious leaders in the United States, David Koresh, and 83 of his followers have been trapped inside their Waco, Texas compound for over 50 days. Unwilling to surrender and surrounded by authorities, the siege is the longest modern-day standoff in American law enforcement history. In 24 hours, however, it will all be over... And Koresh and 73 others will be dead. Featuring archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and key interviews, we'll document the final moments of the infamous preacher's life.
September 6, 1996: The most successful hip-hop artist of all time, Tupac Shakur has just finished shooting his latest video in Los Angeles. The ultimate gangster-rapper, Tupac says he will one day go out in a blaze of glory. In 24 hours, his prophecy will come true... Although reluctant about going to Las Vegas to play a gig, Tupac eventually relents, and enjoys some high stakes gambling before attending a heavyweight prizefight featuring his friend, Mike Tyson. Pumped up by Tyson's victory, Tupac is himself involved in a violent brawl, and heads back to his hotel to freshen up. When he finally arrives at the club for his own performance, a white Cadillac pulls up and a gunman fires a heavy round of bullets at the rapper's car. Mortally wounded with a punctured lung, Tupac dies six days later in hospital. He is only 25. Featuring archival footage, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with his family and friends, we document the final moments of Tupac Shakur's life.