Strange celebrity deaths you probably don't know about

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Frank Little Jr., an early guitarist for the O'Jays, was finally resolved in 2021. After serving in the army and returning from Vietnam, Little came back to his hometown in Ohio during the mid-1970s only to vanish soon after. Over 40 years later, DNA evidence provided a tragic and violent conclusion to his story. In 1982, human remains were discovered in a garbage bag behind a building in Ohio. At the time, authorities were unable to identify the body, but it was determined that the victim had been fatally stabbed and left in the bag several years earlier.

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Frank Little Jr. -

Finally, in 2021, the remains were identified as those of Frank Little Jr., allowing the police to reclassify the case as a homicide and proceed with an investigation.

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Sal Mineo -

The actor was fatally stabbed in a back alley at his apartment building, according to reports.

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Sal Mineo -

There were suspicions that his killing might have been driven by hate, as it happened after he publicly revealed his bisexuality and his preference for exclusively dating men in the years prior to his tragic demise.

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Isadora Duncan -

The pioneer of contemporary dance died in a devastating car crash.

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Isadora Duncan -

While traveling in a convertible, her lengthy scarf became caught in a wheel, resulting in her being pulled from the car. Tragically, she collided with the ground and succumbed to her injuries. Various accounts claimed her demise was caused by strangulation, while others attributed it to the force of impact.

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Sonny Bono -

The music star suffered fatal injuries after a skiing accident at Nevada's Heavenly Ski Resort, where he collided with a tree.

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Sonny Bono -

It is noteworthy that his death happened merely a week after the demise of Michael Kennedy, the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who also passed away in a skiing accident.

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Andy Kaufman -

The popular comedian reportedly passed away from kidney failure following a struggle with lung cancer.

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Andy Kaufman -

However, according to conspiracy theorists, some family members disclosed that Kaufman had actually planned to fake his own death, sparking doubts when he was reported to have died.

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Jon-Erik Hexum -

During the filming of the movie 'Cover Up,' the actor was playing around with a prop gun. Tragically, he aimed it at his head and pulled the trigger, causing the blank cartridge to strike his temple. Despite undergoing a five-hour surgery, he was declared brain dead.

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David Carradine -

While filming kung fu movies in Bangkok, the actor and martial artist was found deceased in his hotel room's closet, hung naked from a rope.

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David Carradine -

Initially, it was believed that he had committed suicide. Nevertheless, following an autopsy, it was concluded that his death occurred unintentionally due to engaging in a perilous sexual activity.

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Dr. Haing Somnang Ngor -

The actor, well-known for his part in 'The Killing Fields,' was fatally shot outside his residence in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Authorities determined that an Asian-American street gang called the Oriental Lazy Boyz was responsible for his murder.

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Doctor Haing Somnang Ngor -

Conspiracy theories persisted despite the conviction of three gang members for the murder. Some still believed that the death was a political assassination orchestrated by Pol Pot, the tyrant responsible for the Cambodian genocide. They speculated that it was due to his involvement in the movie 'The Killing Fields,' which depicted the Cambodian Civil War.

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George Reeves -

The original Superman faced depression and tragically ended his own life.

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George Reeves -

His passing gave rise to the phenomenon known as "the Superman curse," in reference to the peculiar deaths that befell actors who portrayed the superhero in movies and TV shows.

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Jayne Mansfield -

The well-known American Hollywood actress was a very famous celeb during the 1950s.

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Jayne Mansfield -

She died in a car accident when a tractor-trailer suddenly stopped in front of her vehicle, causing her driver to be unable to brake in time. Speculations spread about her being decapitated, but they were ultimately discredited.

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Lana Clarkson -

The actress and model from the 1980s was discovered deceased at record producer Phil Spector's residence.

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Lana Clarkson -

The producer was apprehended and brought to trial, and was ultimately found guilty of second-degree murder. Despite attempting to persuade the jury that the victim had tragically ended her own life, Spector's chauffeur testified that as they left his residence, Spector acknowledged shooting her. Spector passed away in January 2021 while serving his prison term.

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Linda Darnell -

The actress passed away unexpectedly in a house fire ignited by a cigarette.

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Linda Darnell -

Two individuals residing in the residence managed to flee through an upstairs window, whereas Darnell tried to get through the flames at the front door. Tragically, she suffered extensive burns on 90% of her body and succumbed to her injuries.

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Marc Bolan -

The vocalist of the famous band T-Rex passed away in a road accident at age 29.

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Marc Bolan -

His demise was particularly tragic as he had an intense fear of premature death, and was also afraid of cars.

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Natalie Wood -

The accomplished Hollywood actress, famous for her performances in 'Miracle on 34th Street' and 'West Side Story,' tragically drowned during a boating vacation to Santa Catalina Island, CA.

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Natalie Wood -

The discovery of her body revealed bruising and scratches, suggesting foul play. Both her husband and the captain claimed that they hadn't seen her fall into the water. However, it was disclosed that Wood went to bed following a disagreement with her spouse, actor Robert Wagner. This led to suspicions arising about his potential involvement in her demise.

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Tennessee Williams -

The acclaimed American playwright was discovered deceased in a hotel room. His passing was attributed to substance abuse involving drugs and alcohol.

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Tennessee Williams -

Upon conducting additional inquiries, it was determined that Williams passed away due to asphyxiation caused by a bottle cap (originating from his eye drops bottle) becoming stuck in his throat. It is probable that the presence of alcohol in his body subdued his ability to gag.

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Albert Dekker -

The well-known actor's partner discovered him unconscious in the bathroom of his apartment.

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Albert Dekker -

He was discovered in the bathtub, kneeling and unclothed, with restraints made of rope and leather. His hands were handcuffed behind his back, and a horse bit was placed in his mouth.

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Albert Dekker -

The cause of his death was determined to be asphyxiation from the belt around his neck. His body had been lifeless for several days. What made his death peculiar was that it seemed impossible for him to have tied himself up like that. Adding to the mystery, the bathroom door was locked from the inside and there were no other exits.

See also: "Celebs who've had near death experiences"

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Getty Images

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Frank Little Jr. -

Getty Images

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Frank Little Jr. -

Finally, in 2021, the remains were identified as those of Frank Little Jr., allowing the police to reclassify the case as a homicide and proceed with an investigation.

Getty Images

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Sal Mineo -

The actor was fatally stabbed in a back alley at his apartment building, according to reports.

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Sal Mineo -

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Isadora Duncan -

The pioneer of contemporary dance died in a devastating car crash.

Getty Images

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Isadora Duncan -

Getty Images

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Sonny Bono -

The music star suffered fatal injuries after a skiing accident at Nevada's Heavenly Ski Resort, where he collided with a tree.

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Sonny Bono -

It is noteworthy that his death happened merely a week after the demise of Michael Kennedy, the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who also passed away in a skiing accident.

8 / 33 Fotos

Andy Kaufman -

The popular comedian reportedly passed away from kidney failure following a struggle with lung cancer.

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Andy Kaufman -

However, according to conspiracy theorists, some family members disclosed that Kaufman had actually planned to fake his own death, sparking doubts when he was reported to have died.

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Jon-Erik Hexum -

NL Beeld

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David Carradine -

While filming kung fu movies in Bangkok, the actor and martial artist was found deceased in his hotel room's closet, hung naked from a rope.

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David Carradine -

Initially, it was believed that he had committed suicide. Nevertheless, following an autopsy, it was concluded that his death occurred unintentionally due to engaging in a perilous sexual activity.

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Dr. Haing Somnang Ngor -

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Doctor Haing Somnang Ngor -

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George Reeves -

The original Superman faced depression and tragically ended his own life.

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George Reeves -

His passing gave rise to the phenomenon known as "the Superman curse," in reference to the peculiar deaths that befell actors who portrayed the superhero in movies and TV shows.

17 / 33 Fotos

Jayne Mansfield -

The well-known American Hollywood actress was a very famous celeb during the 1950s.

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Jayne Mansfield -

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Lana Clarkson -

The actress and model from the 1980s was discovered deceased at record producer Phil Spector's residence.

Getty Images

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Lana Clarkson -

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Linda Darnell -

The actress passed away unexpectedly in a house fire ignited by a cigarette.

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Linda Darnell -

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Marc Bolan -

The vocalist of the famous band T-Rex passed away in a road accident at age 29.

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Marc Bolan -

His demise was particularly tragic as he had an intense fear of premature death, and was also afraid of cars.

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Natalie Wood -

The accomplished Hollywood actress, famous for her performances in 'Miracle on 34th Street' and 'West Side Story,' tragically drowned during a boating vacation to Santa Catalina Island, CA.

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Natalie Wood -

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Tennessee Williams -

The acclaimed American playwright was discovered deceased in a hotel room. His passing was attributed to substance abuse involving drugs and alcohol.

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Tennessee Williams -

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Albert Dekker -

The well-known actor's partner discovered him unconscious in the bathroom of his apartment.

NL Beeld

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Albert Dekker -

He was discovered in the bathtub, kneeling and unclothed, with restraints made of rope and leather. His hands were handcuffed behind his back, and a horse bit was placed in his mouth.

NL Beeld

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Albert Dekker -

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Strange celebrity deaths you probably don't know about

Stars who died under mysterious, tragic, and bizarre circumstances

11/10/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Celebrities

While everyone is familiar with high-profile celebrity deaths such as Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe, there are numerous others that are surrounded by uncertainty and peculiar circumstances.

Take a look at our gallery of the most peculiar celebrity deaths, where you'll discover some truly obscure cases that you probably haven't come across before.