10 Most Notorious and Infamous Deaths of the 20th Century

10 Most Notorious and Infamous Deaths of the 20th Century

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at ten deaths throughout the 20th century that caused an enormous cultural uproar.

Grigori Rasputin

Considering the mythical status of Rasputin, its hard to imagine that he died in the 20th century. Accounts of Rasputins death have become, shall we say, highly sensationalized throughout the years. But basically, Rasputin was becoming a problem for Russian nobles, so he was assassinated on December 30, 1916 - supposedly by being poisoned, shot, beaten, and thrown into the river. However, the truth of what happened has long been shrouded in mystery and conflicting reports, and the sheer theatricality of what allegedly occurred reads like a gothic horror story of a supernatural man who just wouldnt die. This mythmaking has permeated pop culture, and his death serves as a chilling symbol of the chaos and eventual decline of Imperial Russia.

Charles Lindbergh Jr.

The Lindbergh kidnapping was called the biggest story since the Resurrection, which isnt too much of a stretch. One of the most infamous crimes of the century, 20-month-old Charles Lindbergh Jr. was kidnapped from his crib on the night of March 1, 1932. The resulting story was enormous - the parents were famous, the kidnapping itself was sensational, and the frenzied reaction from the media and police was unprecedented, being a major focus of the FBI. Unfortunately, Lindbergh did not make it. His body was eventually found, and evidence showed that he had likely been killed shortly after the abduction. German carpenter Bruno Hauptmann was found guilty of his murder, although many people believe that he was merely a scapegoat.

Marilyn Monroe

The death of Marilyn Monroe is one of the most infamous in American pop culture, not just because of her status, but because of the mystery that surrounds it. Monroe was found dead on August 5, 1962, with the official cause of death being acute barbiturate poisoning - likely a result of Monroe taking her own life. But this didnt stop the conspiracy theories, like the idea that the Kennedys had her murdered to cover up a political scandal. There were also a number of inconsistencies in the investigation, like conflicting witness statements that created suspicion. Either way, the questions surrounding her death and the fascinating intersection of celebrity, exploitation, and mental health struggles have kept public fascination alive for more than sixty years.

Malcolm X

Born Malcolm Little, this revolutionary had a troubled childhood and eventually served time in prison, where he joined the Nation of Islam and adopted the moniker Malcolm X. However, he later grew disillusioned with the Nation and had a very public and very bitter falling out with the group, leading to his assassination on February 21, 1965. His death marked the loss of a major voice for Black empowerment, but it also served as a tragic case of intra-Black political violence during a tumultuous time when unity was absolutely vital. Many have also long suspected that the FBI and NYPD played some role by either allowing or even orchestrating the murder, lending a strong degree of enduring conspiracy to the story.

John Lennon

The death of this ex-Beatle was always going to be a big deal, but the manner in which it happened was something no one could have predicted. On the night of December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman, a previous fan of The Beatles. The public response was profound, with candlelight vigils erupting around the world and sales of Lennons music soaring. The media also devoted extensive coverage to Lennons death, his life, and his legacy. It is now remembered as one of the defining tragedies of the century, the end of an era. It wasnt just the loss of a cultural icon, but the loss of a major voice for peace, creativity, and countercultural values.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Just three years after the death of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed while visiting Memphis, sparking chaos in over 100 American cities as frustrations and grief boiled over. But in many places the response was more peaceful, with vigils and marches being held to honor Kings legacy. His assassination would have been a huge deal on its own, but the story has also endured with the help of some tantalizing mystery. King was a famous target of the FBI, and many still believe that they were somehow involved in his assassination. This is exacerbated by the cultural doubt regarding James Earl Ray, whom many believe was the scapegoat for a much larger political conspiracy - including members of the King family.

The Manson Family Victims

While actress Sharon Tate is often regarded as the public face of the infamous Manson Family killings, its important to note that seven people lost their lives in the senseless violence of August 1969. The brutal savagery of the murders sparked immediate, if morbid, fascination, with Tates story in particular containing a horrific twist that disgusted the public. But that certainly isnt the only reason that the crime has endured. The Manson Family comes across as terrifying and almost otherworldly, the crimes have a strong connection to classic Hollywood, and they took place at the very end of the 1960s, effectively killing the hippie movement by showcasing the dark underbelly of the counterculture.

Princess Diana

The 36-year-old Peoples Princess was just entering a new, post-Royal period of her life when she was killed in a car crash on August 31, 1997. The sudden and shocking circumstances of her death resulted in what could be the biggest outpouring of grief in the 20th century. The reaction was unprecedented, with millions attending her London funeral and an estimated 2.5 billion people watching on live TV - over 40% of the entire worlds population at the time. Her death has long remained in the public consciousness, not only for the extraordinary reaction that it caused, but for feeding public distrust in the Royal Family, giving rise to countless conspiracy theories, and launching new conversations regarding media intrusion and personal privacy.

John F. Kennedy

Presidential assassinations are notorious by their very natures. But theres many special aspects about the JFK assassination that have made it a cultural touchstone unlike any other. For one thing, JFK was a widely-loved President, which added a further degree of tragedy to the proceedings. But of course, what has truly made his death so notorious is the mystery behind it. The JFK assassination has possibly spawned more conspiracy theories than any other event in the 20th century, with 65% of Americans believing that Lee Harvey Oswald was not solely responsible, according to Gallup. The lore behind this event is also incredible and seemingly unending, including secret CIA schemes, the Mafia, Zapruder Films, Grassy Knolls, Babushka Ladies, Umbrella Men, and magic bullets.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

Its extremely hard to believe that World War I occurred as recently as the 20th century. But it did, and it was all sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Ferdinand was assassinated on June 28, 1914 for political reasons tied to nationalist tensions in the Balkans. He and his wife were riding through Sarajevo when they were both shot at close range by a revolutionary named Gavrilo Princip. His shocking assassination sparked an enormous response around the world, not to mention a chain reaction that eventually culminated in the outbreak of World War I. Its no exaggeration to say that the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand altered the very course of human history.

What is your opinion on these deaths? Let us know in the comments below!