History is full of faked deaths and re-appearances of people long thought dead, but there are also a small number of people who did most likely die, but become the center of theories that claim they live. This list looks at ten of the most well know deaths that have fueled the fires in the minds of conspiracy theorists.
Tupac, was a rapper who was killed in a drive-by shooting. The murder remains unsolved, inspiring many theories over who was responsible. In addition, many fans insisted that Tupac was still alive. The rumors were partly fueled by Tupac’s release of eight albums in the decade after his death. In a strange coincidence, the first of those albums included the song “Blasphemy” on which Tupac raps “Brother’s getting shot and coming back resurrected.”
The offbeat comedian, best known for playing Latka on the TV series Taxi, died from lung cancer at age 35. Partly because he had kept his illness a secret almost until the day he died, many fans thought the death announcement had been staged as an elaborate prank. Kaufman’s frequent collaborator, fellow comedian Bob Zmuda, admitted that he and Kaufman had discussed faking his death and he seemed “obsessed with the idea.” However, in a 1999 interview Zmuda declared, “Andy Kaufman is dead. He’s not in some truck stop with Elvis.” Just in case, Kaufman’s friends held a “Welcome Home Andy” party on the 20th anniversary of his death. The guest of honor failed to appear.
There have been thousands of sightings of the King since his death. At the funeral, Elvis’ father Vernon allegedly acknowledged that the corpse in the coffin did not look like his son. He said that Elvis was “upstairs,” adding, “We had to show the people something.” Presley was also said to have been fascinated with The Passover Plot by Hugh Schoenfield, who speculated that Jesus’ resurrection was faked with a drug that temporarily made him appear dead. Presley, no stranger to prescription drugs, may have had the knowledge to pull off a similar scheme.
In March of 1971, Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, moved to Paris to write poetry. On Friday, July 2, Morrison left his apartment, telling his girlfriend, Pamela Courson, that he was going to see a movie. On Monday, Courson called Elektra Records representative Bill Siddons and told him to come to Paris. When he arrived, Siddons found Courson, a sealed coffin and a death certificate saying that Morrison had died from a heart attack. Exactly what had happened that weekend remained a mystery. Despite the claim on the death certificate, rumors suggested that an overdose of drugs or alcohol had killed Morrison. Unconfirmed reports that the singer had been spotted boarding a plane that weekend fueled speculation that he was still alive. Even Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek said in a 1973 interview, “I don’t know to this day how the man died and in fact I don’t even know if he’s dead. Nobody ever saw Jim Morrison’s body … it was a sealed coffin. So who knows, who knows how Jim died.”
Hitler and his bride of one day, Eva Braun, committed suicide in the bunker under the Reich Chancellery on April 30, 1945. The next day, German radio announced that the fuehrer had died leading his troops in battle. The Soviet news service Tass picked up the report but added that “by spreading the news of Hitler’s death, the German Fascists apparently wish to give Hitler the means of leaving the stage and going underground.” During the Potsdam Conference in July, Joseph Stalin insisted that Hitler had escaped to either Spain or Argentina. In fact, by this time the Russians possessed the remains of Hitler and Braun, having recovered them from the bomb crater they had been buried in. When Soviet autopsy reports on the pair were released in 1968, they showed that the bodies had been positively identified as Hitler and Braun from dental records. Despite this evidence, alleged sightings of Hitler continued.
The youngest daughter of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, was shot with the rest of the royal family by a Communist firing squad. Over the years, several women declared themselves to be Anastasia. The most famous was Anna Anderson, who began making her claims after being rescued from a Berlin canal in 1920. She later lost a lawsuit in which she sought to be recognized as a Romanov heir, married Jack Manahan and settled in Virginia, where she died in 1984. A decade after her death, DNA testing established that Anna Anderson Manahan was not related to the Romanovs but instead came from a Polish family, the Schanzowskis, as her detractors had long claimed.
In 1948, a 100-year-old Oklahoma man named J. Frank Dalton announced that he was Jesse James, who officially had been killed by Robert Ford 66 years earlier. Dalton convinced writer Robert Ruark and Rudy Turilli, an acknowledged expert on James, of his claims. The man allegedly killed in James’ stead was another outlaw, Charlie Bigelow. Reportedly, when James’ mother was first shown the body of the man Ford had shot, she blurted out, ‘No, gentlemen, that is not my son.’ However, in 1995, the body buried in Jesse James’ grave was exhumed for DNA testing. The results confirmed that it was the famed outlaw.
Towards the end of his reign, the Russian tsar expressed to his family and close friends a desire to give up his throne. During an inspection tour of the Crimea in the winter of 1825, Alexander died suddenly of either malaria or pneumonia. He was buried in a closed casket. The hazy circumstances of his death fed rumors that Alexander had faked his death and secretly abdicated. Feodor Kuzmich, a wandering holy man who died in Siberia in 1864, was rumored to have been the former emperor. Further enhancing the mystery around the Tsar, in 1925 the Soviets opened Alexander’s tomb and did not find a body.
The dauphin, heir to the throne of France, died in prison of tuberculosis during the French Revolution. Even before the death was announced, rumors circulated that royalist sympathizers had freed him and replaced him with a double. Madame Simon, the wife of the jailer, asserted that Louis had been smuggled out of prison in a basket of dirty laundry and replaced by a child with rickets. Eventually, over a hundred royal pretenders claimed his identity, a situation Mark Twain satirized in the duke and “dolphin” sections of Huckleberry Finn.
Obviously this is a complicated item as many people (over 1 billion in fact) believe that Jesus rose from the dead. But we are not talking about the resurrection aspect of Christ – we are talking about what happened later. According to Christianity, Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection – and was henceforth gone from the world. But some people believe that he continued to live for a longer period of time and, believe it or not, went to America and taught the people there a new gospel. It is, of course, the Mormons who believe this. There are even some people who believe that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and lived a long life bearing many children.
I predicted Jesus to be at no. 1.
Jim Morrison and Alexander I are the only ones that are possible, as they died under unknown or suspicious circumstances and nobody ever saw their bodies or di DNA testing to confirm their remains.
Q; why did hitler commit suicide?
A; you would too if you had a gas bill like that…
113. Whoopee – Tupac had an ubelievable amount of raps recorded before he died that hadn't been released. Someone compiled them, and released them with his name. He also wrote a lot of poetry, some of which, if you're interested, is really good. I think he is really underrated, and as time goes by he will stand out as possibly the best rapper ever.
"Many Republicans believe Ronald Reagan is alive."
Oh, if only….
Subas Chandra Bose shud've been there in this list.
Interesting read..
why not modify it, and add 5 more persons in the list…..
and ya, this time,
don't forget Subash Chandra Bose…
smithstar15 #101, Richard Nixon is alive. At a liberal soccer game we decided to dig him up and use him for a ball. He jumped out of his grave and shouted at us.
"I AM NOT A SPOOK!
Jim Morrison died in a bathtub in Paris. Pam came home one day to find him there. He's definately dead.
I was listening to Coast to Coast one day and they had Ray Manzarek and Robbie Kreiger on there for an interview. During the open lines, a caller asked Ray if it would be a good idea to open Jim's casket to refute all the rumors. Ray was like: "that's disgusting! who would do such a thing. He's dead." That's not exactly the quote but it was something like that.
135. Jesskat: I met Ray Manzarek about 15 years ago at a party, and at first I didn't really want to talk to him, but finally just did. He was a charming guy, not at all pretentious, and neither of us brought up The Doors…although I soooooo wanted to.
I came away from the meeting knowing that he was a man who had been a fine friend, who would have tried to save Jim had he not gone off to Paris, cutting all ties.
Just my impression, you understand, but I've always been very good at first impressions. I worked in Hollywood where that talent is worth it's weight in gold.
what about Osama Bin Laden…..
Osama Bin Laden is rumoured to be dead but is still alive (according to reports). I think that would make a great second list. Those still alive rumoured to be dead, like Mikey from the life commercials and Steve from Blue's Clues.
135 Jesskat: That’s part of what’s caused the so-called mystery surrounding it. The only witness to that account was his junkie girlfriend. One of the (unsubstantiated) rumors, as alluded to in the list entry, is that he OD’d on heroin at a well-known nightclub, and the bathtub story was just a coverup. Who knows.
136 segue: Cool story. Manzarek always strikes me as a bit pretentious when I see him in interviews. He’s obviously an intelligent and well-spoken guy, but he seems to over romanticize the “Jim as genius/poet” angle as if it’s his personal mission to further Morrison’s legacy so he can continue riding his coat-tails. I say this as a huge Doors fan and Jim fan in particular, so in Ray’s defense, I realize the usual intent and context of those interviews is to draw that sort of stuff out. Btw, I mentioned in the recent cemeteries list that I visited Jim’s grave just this past January, a long-standing goal of mine finally achieved!
Actually I find it strange that people still believe or write about The Grand Duchess Anastasia as the child who got away when actually dna evidence showed that Crown Prince Alexei and Maria were missing from the spot where their family was killed. It was only until recently that they had dug up and confirmed that they found their remains in a place near by. So none of the Romanov family survived but I guess that didn't stop people from hoping and 'seeing' them.
Maggot, a lot of those interviews are set ups, the interviewee is coached into how to present him/herself on a particular subject (especially when it has to do with past fame).
Away from the cameras and microphones Manzarek was just another guy (although I kept seeing him through the haze of time, on stage with The Doors at the Whisky a Go Go, where I was too young to be, but that never stopped me).
We had planned to go to Paris next year, but with the economy as it is, that plan, and my planned trip to Père Lachaise, is on hold. Probably scuttled.
i think jesus died just like my hampster died just like my ipod died
142. ViewARandomList, how did your ipod die? I depend on mine so much, I'd be heartbroken if it died, so I need to know what to avoid doing to it.
Elvis Presley still lives in all of us
and Jesus Christ still lives in some of us:)
And I sure hope Adolf Hitler doesn't still live in any of us.
Cernunnos wrote:
"come on now! its common knowledge that Elvis lives on the dark side of the moon with all the Nazis who fled in their super-secret spacecrafts. its also no secret that Hitler is there too."
Cernunnos is right! The Nazis ARE hiding on the moon! A film is even being made about it. Check it out.http://www.ironsky.net/site/
I find the circumstances surrounding Jim Morrison's so-called death to be suspicious to say the least. If he did actually die then all I can say is what a waste.
Senor Shutter:
that would explain the SSufos.
- and they did save Hitler's brain.
I guess my theory that Darth Vader would take bathroom breaks during battles (His private lavatory on the farside undiscovered until we made a surprise visit whith our satelites sent back fuzzy photos) is untrue.
Although, Ralph Macchio's astral body IS meditating, lotus style, inside a lunar crater. Perhaps waiting for his chance to save mankind from a second invasion.
Darth Vader lives in, "a galaxy far, far away". Why would he have a secret bathroom in our galaxy on our moon? That's one hell of a commute just to take a dump!!!
precisely. Why indeed. I meant to add "secluded". My reasoning is that he has "stations planted" through out the known galaxies, so that when in deep doo-doo, he can veer off course and "hide" behind a convenient dark side with a dark behind side of his own.
like a "stop and go" off the highway
segue i think my ipod has a stroke when i dropped is
152. ViewARandomList: segue i think my ipod has a stroke when i dropped it
****
That would do it. Yeah, I can see that.
Luckily, I'm not very clumsy.
But…but…but…didn't you have the clip attached to your shirt or jacket or t-shirt or pocket? Mine is always clipped.
Maybe I'm just obsessive.
Why the religious bent on Listverse? This is at least the second time a mythical figure has been cited in a historically-themed list. Jesus never existed, so being included on a list concerning otherwise historical figures that were factual persons is just ludicrous. I'm sure there are at least a couple dozen more people you could have chosen for this list, but Jesus? Respect our intellect a bit more.
Jesus existed, we may not know whether or not he was Gods son or all that jazz, but there were records of him existing.
@155-not true. no credible historian mentions Jesus once in any of their works. Josephus is the most commonly cited(the closest to Jesus' supposed life, that could have started anywhere from 12b.c.-8 a.d.), and that has long been regarded as blatant forgery(probably on behalf of the pope).
I believe the list from a couple of days ago cited Peter's struggle with something or other, and mentions that he existed in the time of Jesus. In reality Paul never mentions Jesus as being a physical being, merely spiritual, and leaves out about 80% of Jesus legend(no virgin birth, no stable, no dying on the cross).
The closest possible historical person who may have been the namsake for Jesus was a man named Yeshua di Nostra(joshua from nostra), and he lived in 83bc(i believe) and was killed by being hung upside down from a tree.
in reference to inspiration for the Jesus legends, refer to nearly all pre-christian pagan religions(mithras, osiris, etc.)
What about Dillinger ? The photos of him on the slab looks really weird. And I'm amazed people actually saw Young Guns 2.
I'm not sure if Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid even qualify for this list. Rumors of their deaths in Bolivia are about as credible as the rumors of their return to the States.
bearglove: No credible historian mentions Jesus? That is just a flat out lie.
@bosoxrule148927 name one that was even close to timeline in which he was supposedly alive, or name an historian that doesn't cite the forged Joesphus text…
There were a few notable historians alive during the time of Jesus, and none of them mention him, Ptolemy even mentions OTHER self-proclaimed "messiahs", so you'd think he'd mention Jesus as well. Furthermore, Jesus was supposedly from Nazareth, a place that didn't exist until centuries after his life(I believe the 4th century A.D. is when Nazareth came into being).
As a Christian, Jesus Christ is still ALIVE. He's watching us in heaven.
@JFrater where is the top 10 most unexplained common illnesses gone? was here yesterday???
Jesus is throwin up the deuces in that picture
17. DogBitez -If you had the knowledge of what is real and what is false you would see that Jesus is the most real person of history that ever lived. In fact HE is still alive today! Take a look around and see for yourself!
162. deviantmiss: @JFrater where is the top 10 most unexplained common illnesses gone? was here yesterday???
****
Every day there is a new list put up. The old list is still active, but you just have to go to the home page and go to "recent lists". You'll find it there.
165. segue: It isn't there either. 2 of the recent lists are gone.
162. deviantmiss 165. segue 166. oouchan
see comments @ today's list.
cyn: they were ‘archived’
Well that sure clears things up.
Btw, I’m a little upset that I can’t discuss my favorite movie and Robert De Niro character with going thru moderation now.
I know, I know…talk to J…
168. Maggot –
cyn: they were ‘archived’
Well that sure clears things up.
~ ~ ~
J has since commented & 'cleared up' the actions he took w/ the lists. now it should be 'clear' to all of us, including me… what happened to those lists.
YogiBarrister (158)
You mean Butch & Sundance are still alive? YAY!!!!!!
From the beginning I knew Adolf Hitler and Princess Anastasia would expexted to be on the list…..
I second the motion with @Cybogen.
Jesus was never a real person so why is he even on the list?
173 – there is more evidence that jesus existed than there is for the existance of julius ceasar. Whether or not he was the son of god is debatable.
It amazes me that there are people that think that Jesus never existed, whether they agree with Christianity or not. I guess its ignorance.
jesus is real person as mentioned in bible and other historical books
read the bible and u find out more
Hey hippie, look at the image of Christ. Look at Him into the eyes, then say, "Your FAKE!".
do it.
and let the conscience kill you.
I agree with Cybogen!
@maverick, the bible is a fictional book. don't you think if a guy could heal the sick,walk on water, and turn water in wine someone in history would say "hey, maybe we should write this ***** down!" Jesus is known no where in history except in the bible. We have records of kings waaay before jesus was supposedly born, but no records of a man name Jesus. Except the bible of course. Educate yourself, you mindless christian. Just because he's mentioned in a book makes him a real person? Santa claus is mentioned to in books, but is he real?
@mythshift, you got alot to learn too. Jesus Christ, you're are not real. happy? here's something you can educate yourself with. Religion (in general) is the bane of human existence.http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=900228464…
Why are we at war? because of religion. Why is there hatred in this world? because of religion.
"Much of Caesar's life is known from his own Commentaries (Commentarii) on his military campaigns, and other contemporary sources such as the letters and speeches of his political rival Cicero, the historical writings of Sallust, and the poetry of Catullus. Many more details of his life are recorded by later historians, such as Appian, Suetonius, Plutarch, Cassius Dio and Strabo."
from wikipedia-which isn't reliable in itself, but when paired with over 100 references, some of which from Caesar's time period, some shortly thereafter, and many written by Caesar HIMSELF is tons and tons more proof of his existence than the Bible(a cobbled together text written over the course of centuries, also compiled by a council of religious leaders, excluding many) does of proving the existence of Jesus. Read about the Gnostics and other old-world Christians-they don't even view Jesus as a historical figure and they were the FIRST christians-that should tell you something right there. http://www.pocm.info/ has a lot of information concerning this as well. Educate yourself.
178. hippie – I read your post and you mentioned that Jesus is only mentioned in one book. I believe there's other books he is also mentioned in as well, Evenso, if it were only the Bible he is mentioned in and the bible happens to be the best selling book in the world over that of any other book written don't you think there is some significance to the facts held in the Bible that Jesus was real and did exist. If it was all fake then I would say that there were amny men who were behind writing the bible at different eras of time they were all thinking of writing a made up story of a man of all the same detailed information written by each person of the Bible. Each of the 4 gospels written by Mark, Luke John and Matthew are very close in detail but they were not know to each other. There is just too much evidence to support their stories to be true than to think its fake.
Jesus is the Son of GOD and lived the life as written. He was born of a virgin and became man. Preached his message of Love and his fathers kingdom of heaven. He suffered and died for our sins rose from the dead and appeared to his family and disciples on countless occasions after his death before ascending into heaven to be with his Father until HE comes again to gather his people to be with him forever in Heaven. Its the whole truth and its supported.
180. Cybogen: "Its the whole truth and its supported."
That's only if you believe in that stuff. He might have been a real person, but I don't believe in god or the rest of it. So to say it's the truth…that again only implies if you believe in it.
181. oouchan – You are correct to say that Truth is only truth if you believe it. It is relative to who calls it the truth and I know not everyone believes in God or Jesus. I can accept that they have their right to believe as they wish. I just believe that I should defend my beliefs if they are questioned with reasons and facts.
It does not matter at all to me if I was the only one alive on earth that still believed in GOD or Jesus. I would continue to still believe. We all tend to defend what we believe which confirms our commitment.
182. Cybogen: I agree. We should defend what we believe in or at least back it up.
And I am glad that you are willing to let others believe what they want. I have met so many that believe in god, but attack me personally because I don't. It's because of those types of attitudes that makes religion to me, so sickening. I'm ok with whatever is out there, just don't convert me. 
Case in point…I brought up in another list that my kid is now babtist. She can do that because that is her belief. I on the other hand follow the Shinto religion that Japanese do. Since it's so relaxed, it fits me perfectly. Each one of us respects the others views. We talk a little about each others religion but only on a high level. This is because, I had that stuffed down my throat when I was a kid. Totally warped me. I still twitch when her friend starts quoting the bible to me. But that is me..not her. As long as each of us are allowed to believe what we will in regards to religion, then no harm is done.
182 Cybogen: Simply believing something to be true does not in and of itself make it true. I'm not bashing your belief in god here, just your reasoning about what makes something "true". My statement applies to anything.
The fact that three separate world religions recognise the existance of christ, if not his divinity, points to the fact that the MAN existed. Personally I doubt his divinity. If he was so divine why did he only heal people he stumbled across in the street? lol
PS, R.e Wiki. I have to laugh when it places his current hometown as Israel!
(for those who check that yes I know it is merely me twisting words)