The Photograph That Rewrote His Death

Name: The Photograph That Rewrote His Death
Genre: Documentary

A post-mortem image and modern forensic analysis overturn the legend of Rasputin's final moments.

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Transcript

A forensic review found a photo of a contact gunshot wound on Rasputin's forehead.
December 1916: Rasputin was murdered in an elaborate plot.
Rasputin accepted an invitation to socialize beneath a palace on December 30th, 1916.
Traditional account says he was poisoned, shot, beaten, and drowned.
Prince Felix Yussupov believed Rasputin endangered the monarchy.
A physician allegedly laced cakes, wine with cyanide. Later review found no poison at autopsy.
Traditional death story, largely based on Prince Yussupov's published memoirs.
The review questions whether Rasputin's death followed the traditional account.
Review argues Rasputin died before his body entered the Little Nevka River.
Police apparently found a post-mortem photograph two months after the murder.
Body gone from river, evidence contested, legend kept changing shape.
Samuel Hoare wrote a report as part of the British Intelligence mission to Russia.
The health of Tsarevitch Alexis was a defining issue in Rasputin's rise in power. Alexis suffered significant health issues from hemophilia.
Empress Alexandra believed in Rasputin's healing powers. Foes feared his political influence.
Sometimes, protection and power become impossible to separate.
March 4th, 1917: Provisional Government formed an Extraordinary Commission of Inquiry.
Special 13th Section investigated so-called dark forces around Rasputin and the empress.

The Provisional Government opened its dark forces file—but one investigator would claim the inquiry itself was being pushed toward a biased verdict.

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