Untold Facts Uncovered In John Denver’s Autopsy

Throughout his extensive career, the renowned folk artist John Denver achieved fame for his anthemic and radio-friendly style of country songwriting, exemplified in hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, and “Rocky Mountain High”.

Beyond his musical contributions, Denver also gained recognition for his fervent advocacy for various causes close to his heart, notably the environment and world peace. His activism took on added significance during the tumultuous era of the Cold War, which was escalating during the zenith of his fame in the 1970s.

However, as the 1990s unfolded, Denver added another dimension to his multifaceted persona. Despite his financial success as a musician, he nurtured a lifelong passion for aviation, undoubtedly influenced by his father’s service in the U.S. Air Force. This deep-seated love for flying led Denver to embark on a significant undertaking — dedicating years to rigorous aviation training with the ultimate goal of becoming a fully-fledged pilot.

Intriguingly, this later phase of Denver’s life marked a departure from the spotlight of the music industry, as he immersed himself in the world of aviation. Unfortunately, this phase marked by love and passion outside fame ended in a tragedy that still haunts the music industry to this day.

Uncovering what happened through autopsy

By the year 1997, Denver had evolved into a fervent collector of biplanes, amassing an impressive 2,750 flight hours and earning a reputation as a capable and seasoned pilot, demonstrating proficiency even when flying solo. However, this narrative of aviation passion took a tragic turn on October 12 of that same year when the beloved singer met a horrifying end in a crash shortly after departing from a Pacific Grove airfield in California.

The ill-fated aircraft he piloted was an experimental Long-EZ, constructed by an amateur builder named Adrian Davis. The crash investigation report, released in 1998 and detailed by the Los Angeles Times, pointed to alterations made by Davis to the original plans of the aircraft model as contributing factors to Denver’s untimely demise.

To unravel the mystery and dispel lingering doubts, the autopsy report on John Denver’s tragic end was critical. Beyond providing closure on various lines of speculation, the autopsy also cast a chilling light on the gruesome details of the crash, illustrating why it proved so fatally consequential.

In this way, the aftermath of the incident not only raised questions about aircraft modifications and pilot accountability but also served as a stark reminder of the inherent risks that accompany the pursuit of one’s passions, even for someone as accomplished and experienced as John Denver in the realm of aviation.

A distressing report on Denver’s gruesome injuries

While it is a grim reality that commercial aircraft crashes often result in fatalities for all passengers due to the intense impact, there are instances where individuals miraculously survive crash landings in light aircraft.

Unfortunately, the crash involving the folk icon’s aircraft in Monterey Bay is said to have been a high-impact case, as eyewitnesses recounted observing the plane sharply descending before it ultimately collided with the water.

The details from Denver’s autopsy report are particularly distressing, shedding light on the gruesome nature of the incident. The report outlines the recovery of the singer’s dismembered body from the wreckage, with various parts found separately, including the alarming absence of several pieces of his anatomy, most notably a substantial portion of his head.

The magnitude of the trauma is further illustrated by his death certificate, which specifies that his remains were located approximately 150 yards from the shoreline. This tragic event not only highlights the inherent dangers associated with aviation accidents but also serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, even in seemingly routine travel situations.

John Denver found his new unfamiliar plane hard to drive

It was merely two weeks before the tragic incident that John Denver had acquired the plane and, despite his extensive flying experience, he found himself unfamiliar with its specific design. Complicating matters further, the builder, Adrian Davis, had implemented modifications that adversely affected Denver’s flying capabilities. 

The investigation disclosed that the fuel selector handle, crucial for a pilot to switch to an alternative fuel tank if the primary one ran dry, was inconveniently positioned behind Denver’s shoulder. This placement required him to unbuckle himself to access the handle, a concern he had reportedly raised with a technician shortly before takeoff. 

Furthermore, it came to light that Denver had expended a considerable amount of fuel while practicing take-offs and landings before embarking on the fateful journey over Monterey Bay. This pre-flight activity suggested that he might have depleted a substantial portion of his fuel reserves, potentially complicating matters further during his flight.

The combination of unfamiliarity with the aircraft’s design, modifications made by the builder, and the fuel selector’s inconvenient location painted a picture of a sequence of events leading to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding John Denver’s fatal flight.

No traces of alcohol or drugs in Denver’s system

During the post-crash investigation, there was a significant focus on the singer’s history of drug and alcohol use. Denver had been candid about his use of these substances, detailing his experiences with marijuana, LSD, and cocaine in his autobiography. Additionally, he had faced two drunk driving arrests.

The FBI, compiling a file on Denver because of his anti-war protests, even documented his cocaine use. At the time of his demise, Denver found himself overshadowed by his legal troubles rather than his humanitarian efforts.

Despite his past association with substance abuse and encounters with law enforcement, the toxicology report accompanying Denver’s autopsy revealed no traces of alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the crash. Consequently, it was determined that his previous substance use did not contribute to his untimely death.

However, the Los Angeles Times reported that seven months before the tragic incident, the National Transportation Safety Board had denied Denver an aviation medical certificate due to his history of DUI citations. Consequently, his pilot’s license was rendered invalid, making it technically unlawful for him to have taken flight on the day of his demise.

https://twitter.com/WVandertie/status/1183006765874462720