Mysterious Deaths Doctors Can't Explain

The script begins with an exploration of unexplained deaths, starting with the tragic case of Rodney Marks, an Australian astrophysicist working in Antarctica. Marks, passionate about his work and engaged to be married, mysteriously fell ill and died within 36 hours of showing symptoms. Despite having access to ample resources, his condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to a cardiac arrest. Post-mortem, it was determined that he died of methanol poisoning, likely ingested from cleaning chemicals used on telescopes. The circumstances surrounding his death, including the possibility of foul play, remain shrouded in mystery due to jurisdictional conflicts and lack of cooperation from the US intelligence agencies, resulting in an unsolved case.

The script delves into the puzzling death of the famous poet and author Edgar Allan Poe. Found in a delirious state on a Baltimore street, Poe was unrecognizable, wearing ill-fitting clothes and a straw hat. Despite being taken to a hospital, he passed away on October 7th, 1849, with doctors unable to determine the exact cause. Theories range from a neurological disease, such as a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage, to alcohol withdrawal, which aligns with accounts of his heavy drinking. Another theory suggests he may have suffered from rabies, given his symptoms and the era's medical practices. The mystery of Poe's death remains unsolved, adding to the intrigue of his life and works.

The narrative shifts to the story of Frank Hayes, a 22-year-old jockey who, in 1923, won a race at Belmont Park, New York, while dead. Hayes had been working towards this opportunity for years and had attempted to lose weight rapidly to gain a competitive edge. This dangerous practice, common among athletes, can lead to severe health consequences. During the race, Hayes was pushing his horse, Sweet Kiss, to victory when he suffered a cardiac arrest and died just before crossing the finish line. His death was met with shock and confusion, and while it is speculated that his extreme weight loss and the race's intensity overwhelmed his heart, the exact cause remains unknown.

The script discusses a series of unexplained deaths among the Hmong community, refugees from Laos who resettled in the US. Despite seeking asylum to escape the horrors of war, some found death in their sleep. Autopsies revealed no clear cause of death, leading to speculation about the role of nightmares, known as Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome in medical terms. The Hmong's strong belief in spiritual experiences and the trauma of their past may have contributed to these nightmares becoming so intense that they resulted in cardiac arrest. The specific reasons for this phenomenon and why it affected only this community remain a medical enigma.

The final paragraph of the script examines the death of President Zachary Taylor, who died after a short term in office. On July 4th, 1850, Taylor was celebrating in Washington DC, consuming water, iced milk, and cherries, which many believe led to his death from cholera or dysentery due to the poor sewage system of the time. However, conspiracy theories suggest he was poisoned with arsenic by pro-slavery Southerners. In 1991, Taylor's body was exhumed to test for arsenic, but the results were inconclusive. The true cause of his death, whether natural or an assassination, remains a historical mystery.