Forensics III: They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died

by Harry A. Milman

In Forensics They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died, I reviewed twenty-eight ordinary people who were thrust into the spotlight, gaining fame not for their talents or accomplishments while living, but for the way they died. Newspaper and magazine articles ensured that stories of the circumstances surrounding their deaths remained in the public eye, so that, as Andy Warhol had predicted, their fame would last at least fifteen minutes. In some cases, it lasted much longer. While these individuals may have been “ordinary” before they died, they became extraordinary after death.

Some of the people I reviewed in Forensics They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died include the “Boy in the Box,” later identified as Joseph Zarelli, who died from blunt force trauma; Azaria Chamberlain, a nine-week old infant who was killed by a dingo at Ayers Rock in Australia; George Floyd, whose death resulted from police brutality; Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson, who were stabbed to death; Elisa Lam, who drowned in a water tank on the roof of her hotel; Michael Faherty, whose death in Ireland was attributed to spontaneous human combustion; Katherine Morris, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to charcoal grilling in an automobile; Carlos Sousa, who was mauled to death by a tiger; Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair, who committed murder-suicide; and Jayne and Corinne Peters, whose death was due to filicide-suicide, among many others.

Forensics They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died reads like a mystery novel, presenting biographical and scientific information that helps readers understand how medical examiners and coroners utilized forensic analysis to determine the causes and manners of death of twenty-eight “not-so-famous” people.

Genres: True Crime

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2024

About the author

Harry A. Milman, PhD is the author of three bestselling forensics books -- (1) "FORENSICS: The Science Behind the Deaths of Famous People," a 2021 Readers' Favorite Finalist in the Non-Fiction, Health - Medical genre; (2) "FORENSICS II: The Science Behind the Deaths of Famous and Infamous People;" and (3) "FORENSICS III: They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died," as well as two award-winning mystery novels—"A Death at Camp David," winner of the Best Mystery Novel in the 2018 Book Talk Radio Club Awards, and the space exploration thriller "SOYUZ: The Final Flight," a finalist for Best Second Novel in the 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and a finalist for Best Science Fiction Novel in the 2018 Book Talk Radio Club Awards. As a pharmacologist, toxicologist, and cancer expert with over fifty years of experience at ToxNetwork.com, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and the US Public Health Service. Dr. Milman has testified at trials and depositions and has assisted law firms for nearly twenty-five years as an Expert Witness in over three hundred and fifty civil, criminal, and high-profile legal cases. In addition, Dr. Milman has authored over seventy scientific articles and has edited five science books. Often quoted in newspapers and magazines, Dr. Milman appeared as a toxicology expert on the History Channel, the Oxygen Channel, TV and radio news programs, true-crime television shows, and in numerous podcasts.

Reviews

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Milman’s third installment in his forensic series continues his exploration of questionable or intriguing deaths, focusing on individuals whose demises have rendered them famous or infamous. As in his previous works, Dr. Milman deftly balances accessibility and depth.

This latest volume showcases his expertise in unraveling the scientific intricacies behind various high-profile deaths. His ability to translate complex forensic concepts into understandable narratives allows the general reader to grasp the fundamental aspects of each case. Simultaneously, the book’s detailed examination and professional insights ensure that even seasoned forensic experts remain engaged.

Each chapter of the book is meticulously organized, enabling readers to easily pause and resume their reading without losing the thread of the narrative. Additionally, the structure allows for selective reading, making it simple to skip directly to the cases of particular interest. This thoughtful arrangement enhances the book’s appeal as a versatile read, suitable for both leisurely perusal and in-depth study.

Like its predecessors, this book stands out as a perfect gift for avid readers, especially those who seem to have everything. Its engaging content and educational value make it an excellent choice for anyone fascinated by the complexities of forensic science and the stories behind some of the most notable deaths in history. Dr. Milman’s latest work is a testament to his skill in making forensic science both captivating and comprehensible, solidifying his reputation as a leading author in the field.

[Amelia.S]

Forensics III: They Got Fifteen Minutes of Fame from the Way They Died by Dr. Harry A. Milman is an absorbing blend of science, biography, and social commentary. With clarity and precision, Milman revisits twenty eight extraordinary cases where death, rather than life, thrust individuals into public consciousness transforming private tragedy into collective fascination.

What distinguishes this work is Milman’s ability to merge forensic analysis with humane storytelling. Each case reads like a finely structured mystery, guiding readers through the methods and reasoning used by medical examiners and investigators. Yet beneath the scientific rigor lies compassion; the victims are never reduced to data, but remembered as people whose stories reveal the fragility of life and the complexity of truth.

Both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant, Forensics III stands as a remarkable contribution to the literature of forensic science. It appeals equally to readers of true crime, students of criminal justice, and anyone interested in how the pursuit of scientific truth restores dignity to the forgotten and clarity to the inexplicable.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about forensics, about people whose deaths brought them their 15 minutes of fame that everyone is supposed to get in life. The author writes about the circumstances of each person's death, their autopsy findings and the significance of it, as well a little bit about each person and how their death gained such notoriety. In this book, you will find the autopsies of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, Elisa Lam, Marilyn Sheppard, George Floyd, and the baby taken by a dingo in Australia in the 1980's. But here you will also find Ellen Greenberg, a woman I had never heard of who died in a very strange way, and Russell Armstrong, one of the husbands of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. There are a total of about 28 victims here, most of them murders I believe. I found this book to be informative and compelling reading without being sensationalistic. The thing that I didn't like was there were several people I had not heard of and had to stop and go look them up. So for that reason I am giving this book four stars. But otherwise I really liked it!

[Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry A. Milman has officially made me the friend who randomly blurts out “Did you know about the guy who…” at dinner parties. Forensics III is a fascinating, sometimes chilling, always captivating look at people whose fame came in the most unexpected (and unfortunate) way possible , through the circumstances of their deaths.

Harry somehow blends forensic science, mystery, and storytelling so well that I half expect him to pop up at a crime scene with a coffee and clipboard. The cases range from the infamous to the obscure, but each one is handled with detail, respect, and just the right amount of “wait, WHAT?” moments.

If you like true crime with an investigative edge, where every page pulls you deeper into the story, this is the book you need. Warning: you’ll be Googling case details at 2 a.m. and feeling like a junior detective by the time you’re done.

[Blessing Oladeji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely blew me away. Forensics III isn’t just a collection of tragic deaths, it’s a riveting, respectful deep dive into how ordinary people became unforgettable through the lens of forensic science. Each story is told with a blend of empathy and precision, making you reflect on the fragility of life and the power of truth. It reads like a crime thriller, yet it's all real. I couldn’t put it down, and I walked away both shocked and enlightened. A masterful work—thank you for giving these lives a voice.