From Earhart To Washington: Key Historical Figures With Mysterious Deaths

Throughout history, there have been many mysterious deaths of historical figures. Whether due to disappearances or suspicious circumstances, conspiracy theories have run wild involving these figures whose passings are questionable. 

The more time that passes between the death, 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.

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 June 1, 1937, on a flight planned to circumnavigate the equator. However, Earhart and her navigator 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, which sponsored her flight, would seek to recover the plane on Nikumaroro Island. While not confirmed, Nikumaroro Island is strongly believed to be Earhart's final resting place.

One of the greatest military leaders of all time, Alexander the Great's death is full of mystery. Historians have speculated that Alexander died from liver disease, poisoning, or fever, but there isn’t much evidence to support these conclusions. Some reports also raise the possibility of typhoid fever. Ultimately, there is no single theory that has been widely accepted regarding Alexander’s death.

Widely considered one of the greatest mystery authors in history, Edgar Allan Poe’s death is equally mysterious. After being missing for several days, Poe was found in a state of delirium in Baltimore on October 3, 1849. Poe couldn’t tell his rescuers where he had been or what he had been doing. Some believe that Poe died from alcohol poisoning, but rabies from a possible animal bite has also been considered.

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

Best known as the 29th president of the United States, Warren G. Harding’s death, which was mourned around the world, remains a mystery. After going to bed on August 2, 1923, Harding complained of pain in his upper abdomen and was later found dead.

The four physicians who attended him 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 from being performed.

Among historical figures who died under mysterious circumstances, 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. From the grassy knoll to the 'umbrella man' and the bullet trajectory, there are dozens of theories about what really happened on November 22, 1963.

One of the most highly regarded composers of all time, Mozart’s death is shrouded in mystery. Official records listed "severe military fever" as Mozart's cause of death, but historians have proposed more than 100 alternative explanations. One of the more popular theories is that fellow composer Antonio Salieri poisoned Mozart, though this is unlikely to have any merit.

The death of George Washington, the first President of the United States, plunged the 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 is not the only theory. Other theories include acute epiglottitis, quinsy, or complications from the aggressive bloodletting treatments he received.