By Chanel Georgina, Senior Reporter
The world mourned the loss of Judy Garland at the tender age of 47, a star revered from Hollywood’s Golden Era.
Known for her iconic role as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard Of Oz” (1939), she garnered international acclaim.
Over the years, her career shone brightly, earning her an Academy Award nomination for her performance in “A Star Is Born” (1954) and another Oscar nod for the film “Judgment At Nuremberg” (1961).
While some of her films enjoyed success, Garland’s personal life was marred by turmoil.
Despite multiple suicide attempts reported by the Los Angeles Times, her demise did not indicate self-inflicted harm when discovered by her fifth husband, Mickey Deans.
An autopsy unveiled her afflictions, including hepatitis, exhaustion, kidney issues, severe drug reactions, and injuries.
Hepatitis, characterized by liver inflammation, can stem from viral infections or excessive alcohol consumption.
Symptoms may manifest as muscle and joint pain, high temperature, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, discolored stool and urine, itchy skin, and jaundice.
Exhaustion, a common symptom Garland likely experienced, can be attributed to factors such as late nights, prolonged work hours, stress, depression, anxiety, and thyroid disorders.
Additionally, kidney ailments could present with weight loss, edema, shortness of breath, fatigue, blood in urine, increased nocturnal urination, insomnia, skin issues, muscle cramps, nausea, and headaches.
Following her autopsy, the coroner determined Garland’s death resulted from an accidental overdose of barbiturates, then a prevalent sleep aid.
Dr. Smitha Bhandari highlighted the sedative-hypnotic nature of barbiturates, emphasizing their sleep-inducing and anxiety-reducing properties, which could prove perilous due to unpredictable dosages.
Barbiturates’ potential for fatality even with slight excesses was underscored by Dr. Bhandari, noting their classification as “extremely dangerous.”
While still prescribed by physicians, unauthorized possession or distribution is illegal.
The subsequent emergence of benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines largely replaced barbiturates due to their lower risk of dependency and narrower margin between therapeutic and toxic doses.
In a statement issued posthumously in 1969, Garland’s coroner, Gavin Thurston, clarified the accidental nature of her demise, attributing it to her prolonged usage of barbiturates.
He lamented her unfortunate consumption of a lethal amount beyond her tolerance level.
The legacy of Judy Garland endures, immortalizing a talent overshadowed by personal struggles and a tragic end.
