10 Most Disturbing Moments Things That Happened In 2024
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Don Ekama
From shocking aviation incidents to unsettling celebrity scandals, 2024 was a year of jaw-dropping events. Join us as we explore the most bizarre and troubling moments that left the world stunned. We'll delve into controversial revelations, tragic incidents, and unexpected twists that defined this unforgettable year. Our countdown includes Boeing's defective planes, Kate Middleton's mysterious disappearance, the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell, Sean "Diddy" Combs' arrest, and more. Which of these disturbing events shocked you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
10 Most Disturbing Moments & Things in 2024
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most bizarre, shocking and jaw-dropping events of 2024 that left us all shaken to the core.
Boeing’s Defective Planes
Boarding a flight only to have the fuselage rip off mid-air sounds like a scene from a disaster movie. But for passengers on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on January 5th 2024, that scene came to life. Shortly after the Boeing 737 aircraft took off, a door plug ripped away, sucking out passengers’ items. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. In the following weeks, several Boeing planes experienced more alarming defects, which led to the aircrafts being grounded. Investigation soon discovered that in the January 5th incident, Boeing failed to install crucial bolts to secure the fuselage panel, sparking a criminal investigation into the company. Then, in a bizarre twist, Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, was found dead in March, which only fueled suspicions about the company.
Bihar Bridge Collapses
A single bridge collapse is worrisome, but when 12 bridges crumble within 17 days in just one state, then that’s a full-blown crisis. Beginning in June 2024, a dozen bridges gave way in the state of Bihar, India, with multiple sometimes happening on the same day. The timing coincided with the onset of monsoon season, cutting off communication between villages and disrupting access to schools and hospitals, which left many communities stranded. These incidents exposed the use of subpar construction materials and the negligence of the engineers in charge. In early July, the state government suspended 15 engineers involved and ordered a reconstruction of the bridges, at the contractors’ expense.
Kate Middleton’s Mysterious Disappearance
It’s unusual for a prominent royal to disappear from public duties, so when Kate Middleton remained out of sight for months, speculation ran wild. Although Kensington Palace had announced in January 2024 that Middleton underwent abdominal surgery and was recovering, conspiracy theories still circulated. Some suggested she had divorced Prince William, undergone cosmetic surgery, or even passed away. In an attempt to calm the storm, Kensington Palace released a Mother’s Day photo of Middleton with her children, but it only fanned the conspiratorial flames. Observers noted several discrepancies with the image, which led reputable news outlets to take it down. Finally, on March 22nd, Middleton broke her silence with a video, disclosing that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Brain Worm
There is such a thing as too much information, and voters got plenty of it during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, thanks to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During a podcast interview, Kennedy revealed that he suffered memory loss and mental fog in 2010 after a worm crawled into his brain, ate part of it and died there. Doctors initially thought he had a brain tumor, but it was eventually determined that the culprit was, in fact, a parasitic worm. Never one to shy away from unsettling personal stories, Kennedy later revealed that he once dumped a dead bear cub in Central Park… just because. We’re not entirely sure what drove him to that decision, but we have a wiggly hunch.
Kolkata Sexual Assault & Murder
On August 8th 2024, a trainee doctor in Kolkata, India, went to sleep after enduring a grueling 36-hour shift. The following morning, her body was discovered, having been sexually assaulted and murdered. As a result, thousands of doctors went on strike and took to the streets in protest. The day after the grim discovery, Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, was arrested after confessing to the crime. He was officially charged in October. But Roy wasn’t the only one facing repercussions. Hospital administrators allegedly attempted to cover up the crime, initially telling the doctor’s parents that she had taken her own life. Amid the growing protests, Sandip Kumar Ghosh, the hospital’s principal, resigned, only to be arrested later for tampering with evidence.
The Self-Immolation of Aaron Bushnell
Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, the U.S. has pumped billions of dollars into supporting Israel, while condemning the civilian casualties in Palestine. This has led to widespread protests, even from within President Biden’s administration and the U.S. military. On February 25th 2024, Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell took his opposition to an extreme level. That morning, he messaged media outlets about his plan to “protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people.” Dressed in full combat gear, Bushnell stood in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. and ended it all. He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his burn injuries. This marked the second self-immolation protest against U.S. support for Israel.
Jeffrey Epstein Unsealed Documents
The case against disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein keeps unraveling, even years after his death. Epstein, who was charged with trafficking young victims, reportedly took his own life in his jail cell while awaiting trial. Since then, calls to unseal court documents have grown louder, and in January 2024, they were finally released. These documents named an eyebrow-raising mix of victims, friends and high-profile associates of Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Among them were Donald Trump, David Copperfield, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, and to everyone’s surprise, Stephen Hawking. While merely being named doesn’t imply guilt, the documents revealed disturbing tidbits, including Clinton’s alleged preference for “young” partners and Hawking’s participation in an inappropriate group activity.
Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
Back in July 2024, Donald Trump was still the presumptive Republican nominee for the U.S. presidential election. On July 13th, mere days before he was scheduled to formally accept the nomination, Trump was shot during a rally in Pennsylvania. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several rounds that killed one attendee and injured two others, before he was fatally shot by the Secret Service. Trump was wounded in his right ear, but luckily, escaped without any critical injuries. As the most serious attempt on a president or presidential candidate’s life since Ronald Reagan in 1981, the attack drew bipartisan condemnation. Surprisingly, this was only the first of two attempts, with the second taking place at his Florida golf club two months later.
Sean “Diddy” Combs Arrest & Escalation of the Case
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ downfall began in November 2023 when his former partner Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual and physical assault. Although the case was quickly settled, Ventura’s claims gained further credibility in May 2024 when surveillance footage showed Combs attacking her in a hotel. By September, the scandal escalated as Combs was arrested on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Then came the disturbing revelations surrounding his past behaviour: Combs’ alleged hosting of “freak off” parties, drugging sex workers and coercing them into acts he filmed, to ensure their silence. If convicted, Combs could face life in prison. But even without a conviction, his legal troubles aren’t over. More than 100 lawsuits are pending from individuals accusing him of assault during the 2000s and 2010s.
Bombshell Revelations from “Quiet on Set” Documentary
Nickelodeon owes much of its success to Dan Schneider. The man behind iconic series like “The Amanda Show,” “Drake & Josh” and “iCarly” was once the network’s golden boy. However, in the wake of the MeToo movement, allegations of toxic workplace behavior forced Nickelodeon to sever ties with him. Then came the 2024 series “Quiet on Set,” which pulled back the curtain on even more troubling allegations. The documentary featured former Nickelodeon child stars and writers alleging predatory behavior and gender discrimination behind the scenes. Notably, actor Drake Bell, whose identity was previously sealed, revealed himself as the victim in a 2003 case involving a former Nickelodeon dialogue coach. These revelations cast a harsh spotlight on the industry’s failure to protect its most vulnerable talents.
What 2024 events troubled you the most? Let us know in the comments below.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most bizarre, shocking and jaw-dropping events of 2024 that left us all shaken to the core.
Boeing’s Defective Planes
Boarding a flight only to have the fuselage rip off mid-air sounds like a scene from a disaster movie. But for passengers on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on January 5th 2024, that scene came to life. Shortly after the Boeing 737 aircraft took off, a door plug ripped away, sucking out passengers’ items. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. In the following weeks, several Boeing planes experienced more alarming defects, which led to the aircrafts being grounded. Investigation soon discovered that in the January 5th incident, Boeing failed to install crucial bolts to secure the fuselage panel, sparking a criminal investigation into the company. Then, in a bizarre twist, Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, was found dead in March, which only fueled suspicions about the company.
Bihar Bridge Collapses
A single bridge collapse is worrisome, but when 12 bridges crumble within 17 days in just one state, then that’s a full-blown crisis. Beginning in June 2024, a dozen bridges gave way in the state of Bihar, India, with multiple sometimes happening on the same day. The timing coincided with the onset of monsoon season, cutting off communication between villages and disrupting access to schools and hospitals, which left many communities stranded. These incidents exposed the use of subpar construction materials and the negligence of the engineers in charge. In early July, the state government suspended 15 engineers involved and ordered a reconstruction of the bridges, at the contractors’ expense.
Kate Middleton’s Mysterious Disappearance
It’s unusual for a prominent royal to disappear from public duties, so when Kate Middleton remained out of sight for months, speculation ran wild. Although Kensington Palace had announced in January 2024 that Middleton underwent abdominal surgery and was recovering, conspiracy theories still circulated. Some suggested she had divorced Prince William, undergone cosmetic surgery, or even passed away. In an attempt to calm the storm, Kensington Palace released a Mother’s Day photo of Middleton with her children, but it only fanned the conspiratorial flames. Observers noted several discrepancies with the image, which led reputable news outlets to take it down. Finally, on March 22nd, Middleton broke her silence with a video, disclosing that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Brain Worm
There is such a thing as too much information, and voters got plenty of it during the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, thanks to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During a podcast interview, Kennedy revealed that he suffered memory loss and mental fog in 2010 after a worm crawled into his brain, ate part of it and died there. Doctors initially thought he had a brain tumor, but it was eventually determined that the culprit was, in fact, a parasitic worm. Never one to shy away from unsettling personal stories, Kennedy later revealed that he once dumped a dead bear cub in Central Park… just because. We’re not entirely sure what drove him to that decision, but we have a wiggly hunch.
Kolkata Sexual Assault & Murder
On August 8th 2024, a trainee doctor in Kolkata, India, went to sleep after enduring a grueling 36-hour shift. The following morning, her body was discovered, having been sexually assaulted and murdered. As a result, thousands of doctors went on strike and took to the streets in protest. The day after the grim discovery, Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, was arrested after confessing to the crime. He was officially charged in October. But Roy wasn’t the only one facing repercussions. Hospital administrators allegedly attempted to cover up the crime, initially telling the doctor’s parents that she had taken her own life. Amid the growing protests, Sandip Kumar Ghosh, the hospital’s principal, resigned, only to be arrested later for tampering with evidence.
The Self-Immolation of Aaron Bushnell
Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, the U.S. has pumped billions of dollars into supporting Israel, while condemning the civilian casualties in Palestine. This has led to widespread protests, even from within President Biden’s administration and the U.S. military. On February 25th 2024, Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell took his opposition to an extreme level. That morning, he messaged media outlets about his plan to “protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people.” Dressed in full combat gear, Bushnell stood in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. and ended it all. He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his burn injuries. This marked the second self-immolation protest against U.S. support for Israel.
Jeffrey Epstein Unsealed Documents
The case against disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein keeps unraveling, even years after his death. Epstein, who was charged with trafficking young victims, reportedly took his own life in his jail cell while awaiting trial. Since then, calls to unseal court documents have grown louder, and in January 2024, they were finally released. These documents named an eyebrow-raising mix of victims, friends and high-profile associates of Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Among them were Donald Trump, David Copperfield, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Michael Jackson, and to everyone’s surprise, Stephen Hawking. While merely being named doesn’t imply guilt, the documents revealed disturbing tidbits, including Clinton’s alleged preference for “young” partners and Hawking’s participation in an inappropriate group activity.
Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
Back in July 2024, Donald Trump was still the presumptive Republican nominee for the U.S. presidential election. On July 13th, mere days before he was scheduled to formally accept the nomination, Trump was shot during a rally in Pennsylvania. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several rounds that killed one attendee and injured two others, before he was fatally shot by the Secret Service. Trump was wounded in his right ear, but luckily, escaped without any critical injuries. As the most serious attempt on a president or presidential candidate’s life since Ronald Reagan in 1981, the attack drew bipartisan condemnation. Surprisingly, this was only the first of two attempts, with the second taking place at his Florida golf club two months later.
Sean “Diddy” Combs Arrest & Escalation of the Case
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ downfall began in November 2023 when his former partner Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual and physical assault. Although the case was quickly settled, Ventura’s claims gained further credibility in May 2024 when surveillance footage showed Combs attacking her in a hotel. By September, the scandal escalated as Combs was arrested on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Then came the disturbing revelations surrounding his past behaviour: Combs’ alleged hosting of “freak off” parties, drugging sex workers and coercing them into acts he filmed, to ensure their silence. If convicted, Combs could face life in prison. But even without a conviction, his legal troubles aren’t over. More than 100 lawsuits are pending from individuals accusing him of assault during the 2000s and 2010s.
Bombshell Revelations from “Quiet on Set” Documentary
Nickelodeon owes much of its success to Dan Schneider. The man behind iconic series like “The Amanda Show,” “Drake & Josh” and “iCarly” was once the network’s golden boy. However, in the wake of the MeToo movement, allegations of toxic workplace behavior forced Nickelodeon to sever ties with him. Then came the 2024 series “Quiet on Set,” which pulled back the curtain on even more troubling allegations. The documentary featured former Nickelodeon child stars and writers alleging predatory behavior and gender discrimination behind the scenes. Notably, actor Drake Bell, whose identity was previously sealed, revealed himself as the victim in a 2003 case involving a former Nickelodeon dialogue coach. These revelations cast a harsh spotlight on the industry’s failure to protect its most vulnerable talents.
What 2024 events troubled you the most? Let us know in the comments below.
Sign in
to access this feature