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Escape artist Harry Houdini's Halloween death in Detroit is still a mystery 100 years on as America marks the centenary

Harry Houdini, the escape artist whose death on 31 October 1926 is marked today on its centenary, with a new book arguing student Joscelyn Gordon Whitehead did not deliver the fatal blow.
Harry Houdini, the escape artist whose death on 31 October 1926 is marked today on its centenary, with a new book arguing student Joscelyn Gordon Whitehead did not deliver the fatal blow.

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in Budapest, died on Halloween 1926 at Grace Hospital in Detroit, aged 52, from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. A century on, cities across America are marking the anniversary, and the precise chain of events that killed the world's greatest escape artist remains fiercely disputed.

A McGill University student, Joscelyn Gordon Whitehead, repeatedly punched Houdini in the stomach days before his collapse — but a new book by retired surgeon Larrian Gillespie challenges that account and clears Whitehead's name.

Never-before-seen Houdini writing is published today in Strand magazine, revealing his deep knowledge of the early magic scene that shaped him.

Appleton, Wisconsin, where Houdini grew up, unveiled a new historical marker in Houdini Plaza today; Detroit's Historical Museum is hosting a Halloween night party at the museum in his honour.

Morewoodtv.com100 years later, the cause of Harry Houdini’s death in Detroit remains a mystery - WOODTV.comwpr.orgAppleton channels the spirit of Houdini, 100 years after his death on Halloweennpr.org100 years later, Harry Houdini's death still haunts DetroitThe GuardianUnseen Harry Houdini writing published on 100th anniversary of his deathcbsnews.comDetroit Historical Society honoring Harry Houdininbclosangeles.comEscape artist Houdini II performs stunt high above Hollywood Magic Castle - NBC Los Angelesexpress.co.ukHoudini's annual spooky Halloween séance tradition and why this year is differentFox NewsQuestions still haunt Houdini’s Halloween death 100 years latercbsnews.comDetroit Historical Society honoring Harry Houdini 100 years after his deathcbsnews.com100 years ago, Harry Houdini died at DetroitNY PostEscape artist performs death-defying stunt 9 stories up to honor 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death
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