The Death of Meriwether Lewis: A Historic Crime Scene Investigation

Even after more than two centuries, mystery continues to surround Meriwether Lewis’s death—did the famous explorer commit suicide or was he murdered? Recently revealed truths and deconstructed myths are woven together in this fascinating account to form an unforgettable tale of political corruption, assassins, forged documents, and skeletal remains. New research implicating General James Wilkinson—commanding general of the U.S. Army and coconspirator of Aaron Burr—as the assassin is thoroughly discussed, while riveting testimony from 13 leading experts in wound ballistics, forensic anthropology, suicide psychology, grave-site exhumation, and handwriting analysis offers new insight into what Lewis’s exhumed remains might reveal. The new evidence not only destroys the foundation of suicide arguments by proving the primary evidence is a forgery, it also proves the Indian Agent escorting Lewis lied about his activities on the day of Lewis's death. The book also contains evidence of a previously unknown plot by Aaron Burr to seize New Orleans and invade Mexico in 1809, a repeat of his 1806 plot. It explains why Lewis suddenly changed his plans to travel to Washington, DC, by boat, and instead chose to go overland on the Natchez Trace, where he met his untimely death on October 11, 1809, at age 35.

James E. Starrs is the author of A Voice for the Dead and a longstanding contributor to The Scientific Sleuthing Review. He is an emeritus professor of law and a professor of forensic sciences at George Washington University as well as a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He has been involved in many historical investigations, including the exhumation of Jesse James' remains and the Alfred Packer cannibalism case. He lives in Springfield, Virginia. Kira Gale is the author of Lewis and Clark Road Trips. She is a cofounder of a Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation chapter and the recipient of the group's 2007 Meritorious Achievement Award. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.