Houdini's death date moved to Oct. 30, new book claims

A new book challenges the long-standing belief that Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926. The author, Larrian Gillespie, asserts that the magician actually died on October 30, 1926. Her account, titled "Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice," relies on medical records and a death certificate to support this revised timeline. Gillespie argues that the official date was altered to align the death with the holiday.

The book contends that the cause of death was not diffuse peritonitis resulting from appendicitis, as previously reported. Instead, Gillespie points to an intestinal blockage as the true cause. She blames a doctor for allowing Houdini to eat a bowl of vegetables and sour cream while he was recovering from surgery. According to her analysis, this dietary choice led to the fatal blockage. Gillespie notes that the state death certificate lists October 31, but a doctor's affidavit records October 30.

Gillespie is a forensic medical researcher who has also written on menopause and cystitis. She suggests that Houdini's inner circle preferred the Halloween date to enhance his mystique. "So he would always be remembered," she said regarding their motivation. The book received a starred review from the industry publication Kirkus. The review described the account as absorbing and argument-starting.

George Hardeen, Houdini's great-nephew, supported Gillespie's findings. He told the Associated Press that the book was convincing and persuasive. Hardeen stated he had zero doubts about the author's conclusions. This endorsement adds weight to the claim that the widely accepted Halloween date is incorrect. The dispute over the exact date has persisted for a century without a definitive autopsy.

Not all experts agree with Gillespie. Bruce Averbook, a Houdini scholar, expressed doubt that the date was changed for legacy purposes. "The family was in significant grief and not thinking about legacy," Averbook said. He cited writings from Houdini's personal assistant that list the death as October 31. Averbook argued that the assistant had no reason to lie about the specific date. He views the October 31 record as reliable based on those contemporaneous notes.

John Cox, a Houdini blogger and founder of Wild About Harry Press, offered a more measured response. Cox said the book contains good new information about Houdini's career. However, he believes a second opinion is still needed regarding the death. Cox acknowledged the confusion surrounding the event but noted that the death is a small part of Houdini's story. "Houdini's fame, and why he's remembered today, comes from his remarkable life," Cox said.

Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874, was a Hungarian-American magician and escape artist. He died at Detroit's Grace Hospital at the age of 52. His legacy continues to generate interest, with a rare essay published in The Strand Magazine. The essay, titled "An Interesting Scrapbook," pays tribute to earlier magicians. Eric Colleary, curator at the Harry Ransom Center, notes that Houdini had a deep interest in preserving the memories of his predecessors. Houdini's burial site at Machpelah Cemetery remains a gathering place for fans during the holiday.