From Earhart To Washington: Key Historical Figures With Mysterious Deaths

Throughout the history of the world, there have been plenty of mysterious deaths of historical figures. Whether it’s disappearances or suspicious circumstances, conspiracy theories have run wild involving these figures whose passings are questionable. 

The more time that passes between the death and today, the more imaginations run wild over what exactly happened to a historical figure and why. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some key historical figures who have died under mysterious circumstances.

This post was updated July 14th, 2025 to include new information about the recovery of Earhart's plane

As the first woman to successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean by plane in 1928, Amelia Earhart’s death is the stuff of legend. Amelia Earhart took off on March 17, 1937, with a flight planned for around the equator. However, Earhart and her crew never made it to their destination. Even though a massive rescue operation took place, Earhart’s plane was never recovered.

In July, 2025 it was announced that Purdue University, the university that sponsored her flight, would seek to recover the plane on Nikumaroro Island. While not confirmed, it is strongly believed to be Earhart's final resting place.

One of the greatest military leaders of all time, the death of Alexander the Great is full of mystery. Among the possibilities, historians have speculated Alexander died from liver disease, poisoning, or fever, but there isn’t much data to support these conclusions. A separate report raises the possibility of typhoid fever. Ultimately, there is no single theory that has been widely agreed on for Alexander’s death.

Widely considered one of the greatest mystery authors in history, Edgar Allan Poe’s death is equally mysterious. After being reported missing for six days, Poe was found on day 7 in a state of complete delirium. Poe couldn’t tell any of his rescuers where he had been or what he had been doing. There is some belief Poe died from alcohol poisoning but rabies has also been considered from a cat bite.

The death of Marilyn Monroe is one of the more recent conspiracy theories surrounding a celebrity. Upon her death in 1962, it was believed that Monroe died of a drug overdose. However, given her relationship with politicians and other unscrupulous individuals, there is a widespread belief Monroe was murdered to stop her from spreading secrets.

Best known as the 29th president of the United States, Warren G. Harding’s death, mourned around the world, remains quite a mystery. After going to bed on July 27, 1923, Harding complained of pain in his upper abdomen only to wake up deceased.

Of the four physicians who attended to him, they could not agree on the cause of death. The First Lady, facing accusations of murdering her husband due to suspected infidelity, also prevented an autopsy.

Among the best-known historical figures who died mysteriously, John F. Kennedy may be the most prominent. While the common belief is that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone shooter, conspiracy theories around the assassination persist. Between the grassy knoll, “umbrella man,” and bullet trajectory, there are dozens of theories about what really happened on November 22, 1963.

One of the highest-regarded composers of all time, Mozart’s death is one of great mystery. Official records listed "severe military fever" as Mozart's cause of death, but historians have proposed over 100 alternative explanations. Among the more popular ideas is that fellow composer Antonio Salieri poisoned Mozart, though it’s unlikely to have any merit.

The death of George Washington, the first President of the United States, plunged this nation into mourning. To this day, his death has been the subject of heavy debate. Though the most likely account blames a severely inflamed windpipe for his death, it's not the only other on the table. There are around a half dozen other potential causes with many modern-day doctors attributing them to various symptoms.