10 Creepiest Discoveries Uncovered After Someone's Death
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VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Garvin
Death can reveal the most bizarre secrets. Join us as we explore shocking discoveries that only came to light after someone passed away, uncovering mysteries, hidden truths, and dark stories that remained buried until their final moments. From Salvador Dalí's legal battles to Howard Hughes' eccentric lifestyle, and the horrifying crimes of Dr. Harold Shipman, these stories will leave you stunned and questioning what secrets might be hidden in plain sight. Which of these discoveries surprised you most? Is there anything shdy that would be found when you go? Share!
10 Creepiest Discoveries Only Solved When Someone Died
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at strange secrets uncovered as a result of an untimely death.
Joyce Vincent: Dead for Years (2003)
Joyce Carol Vincent was living in a small London apartment in 2003. She lived a solitary life, isolating herself from friends and family. She'd quit a promising career in finance to work odd jobs like cleaning a budget motel. She'd had some health issues and stayed for a time in a women's shelter. After some Christmas shopping, Joyce died in her apartment, likely from an asthma attack or an ulcer. Her rent and bills were on auto-pay, partially covered by benefits. As a result, her body sat in front of her running television for nearly three years before being discovered. Her tragic life and death were early reflections of a 21st-century rife with isolation and loneliness.
Albert Einstein’s Brain (1955)
Albert Einstein's brain underwent a bizarre journey after his death in 1955. Hours after his passing, Dr. Thomas Harvey removed and dissected the brain into 240 pieces. His goal: to uncover the secrets of Einstein’s genius. Preserved in jars and distributed to researchers, these fragments traveled across the U.S. for decades. Some segments were lost. Others were put on display. The dissection and fragmented storage of Einstein’s brain have drawn more attention for their macabre handling. His remains morphed into a surreal relic of scientific curiosity. There are even rumors of Princeton students shaking off the formaldehyde from a piece they retained and pouring it into tequila shots as a hazing ritual.
The “Secret Room” of Howard Elkins (1999)
Howard B. Elkins was a Long Island resident and owner of a small plastics company. Nearly three decades after moving to Florida with his family, his former home was the site of a shocking discovery in 1999. A 55-gallon drum was found in the crawlspace. It contained the mummified remains of Reyna Marroquín, a Salvadoran immigrant who vanished in 1969 while pregnant. Marroquín had been having an affair with Elkins. She was allegedly killed after revealing the relationship to his wife. DNA confirmed Elkins as the father. When confronted by police, Elkins took his own life. Investigators believe he hid Marroquín’s body in the drum. The weight made it difficult to dispose of, so he hid it instead.
Gauguin[a] & The Truth About Van Gogh's Ear (1921)
As he approached the end of his life, Paul Gauguin compiled his journals, hoping they would be published after his death. In 1921, the painter's wishes were fulfilled. The world was introduced to a shocking truth: the reason why Vincent van Gogh cut off his own ear. In 1888, Van Gogh invited Gauguin to Arles, hoping to create an art colony. Gauguin reluctantly joined. Their collaboration and friendship was intense and volatile. Van Gogh idolized Gauguin, calling him “Master,” but their clashing temperaments fueled tensions. One night, in the grip of mental turmoil, Van Gogh nearly attacked Gauguin with a razor. He fled in shame. The next day, he learned that van Gogh had turned the razor on himself, likely out of guilt.
Nikola Tesla’s Death Ray (1943)
After losing the "war of the Currents" to Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla's star waned. In the last decades of his life, though, Tesla remained in the spotlight by hyping a super weapon: his "Death Ray." He claimed it could shoot down planes from 250 miles away, but never provided proof. His former homeland, Yugoslavia was desperate to arm themselves with the device to protect themselves from Nazi invasion. After his death in 1943, U.S. officials rushed to confiscate his papers, fearing Nazi or Soviet acquisition. Upon review, government physicists deemed the death ray a fantasy. Paranoia yet lingered, fueling Cold War beam-weapon projects. Tesla’s confiscated documents remained classified for decades. Many were eventually lost or destroyed, leaving lingering questions about his super weapon.
The Death of Billionaire Recluse Howard Hughes (1976)
When billionaire recluse Howard Hughes died in 1976, his home revealed the extent of his bizarre final years. Living in near-total isolation, Hughes had turned his surroundings into a chaotic time capsule: jars of his own urine, piles of rotting food, and meticulously labeled tissue boxes for makeshift footwear. Once a dashing aviator and Hollywood tycoon, he spent his last years battling severe paranoia, addiction to painkillers, and untreated OCD. The strangeness didn’t end there: Hughes left no clear will, sparking a fierce legal war over his massive estate. Fake wills emerged, including one leaving his fortune to a random gas station owner and another leaving it to the Mormon Church. The court battles dragged on for years, with hundreds fighting over his fortune.
The Extent of Harold Shipman’s Crimes (2004)
The horrifying extent of Dr. Harold Shipman’s crimes came to light only after he died in 2004. Dubbed “Doctor Death,” Shipman had been convicted in 2000 for murdering 15 of his patients. Shipman exploited the trust of his elderly patients, administering lethal doses of painkillers and falsifying death certificates to cover his tracks. After he took his own life in prison, a public inquiry ensued. The inquiry revealed that Shimpan likely killed over 200 of his patients throughout a 30-year career. Later estimates had the number even higher, making him one of history’s most prolific serial killers.
Francisco Goya’s “Black Paintings” (1828)
Unlike so many of the greats, Francisco Goya was celebrated in his time. He was a romanticist, known for his vibrant portraits and idyllic depictions of Spanish life. He earned fame as a court painter to royalty. After his death in 1828, a far darker side of the artist emerged. Hidden in his home, plastered directly onto the walls, were his infamous "Black Paintings." This series of grim, nightmarish works featured macabre imagery like "Saturn Devouring His Son." The Spanish master had clearly descended into despair, likely influenced by illness, war, and isolation. Unlike his commissioned masterpieces, these were intensely private paintings, never meant for public consumption. The paintings were transferred to canvas decades later, and are today some of his most famous works.
The Deadly Hoard of Jeffrey Lash (2015)
Jeffrey Alan Lash was known as a wealthy and eccentric fellow to those who knew him. He claimed to be a secret agent under constant surveillance. He had a fleet of a dozen cars, one of which - he claimed - was bulletproof. After being diagnosed with cancer, Lash convinced his fiancée that it was caused by chemical weapons exposure. His death revealed the true extent of his paranoia. Lash left behind an arsenal of 1,200 firearms and literal tons of ammunition and explosives. None of it was illegal, and most of it wasn't even touched after purchase. Half the neighborhood needed to be evacuated to safely remove unstable chemicals and ammunition.
Which discovery haunts you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
[a]GAUGUIN https://youtu.be/OWsUvx4VIiQ?si=Zhoj1hSa_qEWgA44&t=28
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at strange secrets uncovered as a result of an untimely death.
Salvador Dalí’s Potential Children (1989)
Salvador Dalí, one of the world's most famous surrealist artists, was the subject of an 8-month legal saga decades after his death. A Spanish tarot card reader named Pilar Abel claimed to be his illegitimate daughter. Her paternity suit caused the painter’s remains to be exhumed from his tomb in Catalonia. Dali was buried in a tomb located in a museum dedicated to his life and work. Oddly enough, the embalmer reported that Dalí’s famous mustache remained intact, even after 30 years. A successful test would have netted Abel around 1/4th of the painter's sizable estate. Unfortunately, fingernail samples provided DNA, which ultimately disproved her claims.Joyce Vincent: Dead for Years (2003)
Joyce Carol Vincent was living in a small London apartment in 2003. She lived a solitary life, isolating herself from friends and family. She'd quit a promising career in finance to work odd jobs like cleaning a budget motel. She'd had some health issues and stayed for a time in a women's shelter. After some Christmas shopping, Joyce died in her apartment, likely from an asthma attack or an ulcer. Her rent and bills were on auto-pay, partially covered by benefits. As a result, her body sat in front of her running television for nearly three years before being discovered. Her tragic life and death were early reflections of a 21st-century rife with isolation and loneliness.
Albert Einstein’s Brain (1955)
Albert Einstein's brain underwent a bizarre journey after his death in 1955. Hours after his passing, Dr. Thomas Harvey removed and dissected the brain into 240 pieces. His goal: to uncover the secrets of Einstein’s genius. Preserved in jars and distributed to researchers, these fragments traveled across the U.S. for decades. Some segments were lost. Others were put on display. The dissection and fragmented storage of Einstein’s brain have drawn more attention for their macabre handling. His remains morphed into a surreal relic of scientific curiosity. There are even rumors of Princeton students shaking off the formaldehyde from a piece they retained and pouring it into tequila shots as a hazing ritual.
The “Secret Room” of Howard Elkins (1999)
Howard B. Elkins was a Long Island resident and owner of a small plastics company. Nearly three decades after moving to Florida with his family, his former home was the site of a shocking discovery in 1999. A 55-gallon drum was found in the crawlspace. It contained the mummified remains of Reyna Marroquín, a Salvadoran immigrant who vanished in 1969 while pregnant. Marroquín had been having an affair with Elkins. She was allegedly killed after revealing the relationship to his wife. DNA confirmed Elkins as the father. When confronted by police, Elkins took his own life. Investigators believe he hid Marroquín’s body in the drum. The weight made it difficult to dispose of, so he hid it instead.
Gauguin[a] & The Truth About Van Gogh's Ear (1921)
As he approached the end of his life, Paul Gauguin compiled his journals, hoping they would be published after his death. In 1921, the painter's wishes were fulfilled. The world was introduced to a shocking truth: the reason why Vincent van Gogh cut off his own ear. In 1888, Van Gogh invited Gauguin to Arles, hoping to create an art colony. Gauguin reluctantly joined. Their collaboration and friendship was intense and volatile. Van Gogh idolized Gauguin, calling him “Master,” but their clashing temperaments fueled tensions. One night, in the grip of mental turmoil, Van Gogh nearly attacked Gauguin with a razor. He fled in shame. The next day, he learned that van Gogh had turned the razor on himself, likely out of guilt.
Nikola Tesla’s Death Ray (1943)
After losing the "war of the Currents" to Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla's star waned. In the last decades of his life, though, Tesla remained in the spotlight by hyping a super weapon: his "Death Ray." He claimed it could shoot down planes from 250 miles away, but never provided proof. His former homeland, Yugoslavia was desperate to arm themselves with the device to protect themselves from Nazi invasion. After his death in 1943, U.S. officials rushed to confiscate his papers, fearing Nazi or Soviet acquisition. Upon review, government physicists deemed the death ray a fantasy. Paranoia yet lingered, fueling Cold War beam-weapon projects. Tesla’s confiscated documents remained classified for decades. Many were eventually lost or destroyed, leaving lingering questions about his super weapon.
The Death of Billionaire Recluse Howard Hughes (1976)
When billionaire recluse Howard Hughes died in 1976, his home revealed the extent of his bizarre final years. Living in near-total isolation, Hughes had turned his surroundings into a chaotic time capsule: jars of his own urine, piles of rotting food, and meticulously labeled tissue boxes for makeshift footwear. Once a dashing aviator and Hollywood tycoon, he spent his last years battling severe paranoia, addiction to painkillers, and untreated OCD. The strangeness didn’t end there: Hughes left no clear will, sparking a fierce legal war over his massive estate. Fake wills emerged, including one leaving his fortune to a random gas station owner and another leaving it to the Mormon Church. The court battles dragged on for years, with hundreds fighting over his fortune.
The Extent of Harold Shipman’s Crimes (2004)
The horrifying extent of Dr. Harold Shipman’s crimes came to light only after he died in 2004. Dubbed “Doctor Death,” Shipman had been convicted in 2000 for murdering 15 of his patients. Shipman exploited the trust of his elderly patients, administering lethal doses of painkillers and falsifying death certificates to cover his tracks. After he took his own life in prison, a public inquiry ensued. The inquiry revealed that Shimpan likely killed over 200 of his patients throughout a 30-year career. Later estimates had the number even higher, making him one of history’s most prolific serial killers.
Francisco Goya’s “Black Paintings” (1828)
Unlike so many of the greats, Francisco Goya was celebrated in his time. He was a romanticist, known for his vibrant portraits and idyllic depictions of Spanish life. He earned fame as a court painter to royalty. After his death in 1828, a far darker side of the artist emerged. Hidden in his home, plastered directly onto the walls, were his infamous "Black Paintings." This series of grim, nightmarish works featured macabre imagery like "Saturn Devouring His Son." The Spanish master had clearly descended into despair, likely influenced by illness, war, and isolation. Unlike his commissioned masterpieces, these were intensely private paintings, never meant for public consumption. The paintings were transferred to canvas decades later, and are today some of his most famous works.
The Deadly Hoard of Jeffrey Lash (2015)
Jeffrey Alan Lash was known as a wealthy and eccentric fellow to those who knew him. He claimed to be a secret agent under constant surveillance. He had a fleet of a dozen cars, one of which - he claimed - was bulletproof. After being diagnosed with cancer, Lash convinced his fiancée that it was caused by chemical weapons exposure. His death revealed the true extent of his paranoia. Lash left behind an arsenal of 1,200 firearms and literal tons of ammunition and explosives. None of it was illegal, and most of it wasn't even touched after purchase. Half the neighborhood needed to be evacuated to safely remove unstable chemicals and ammunition.
Which discovery haunts you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
[a]GAUGUIN https://youtu.be/OWsUvx4VIiQ?si=Zhoj1hSa_qEWgA44&t=28
