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How a bathtub assassin sparked myths about life after beheading | ASSASSINS

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October 23, 2025

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How long do you remain conscious for after having your head chopped off? For centuries, people thought that a severed head might be aware of what’s going on for up to 30 seconds after decapitation – or even longer!

That folklore has its origins in the assassination of revolutionary leader/newspaper editor Jean-Paul Marat by Charlotte Corday, the French Revolution’s “Angel of Assassination”.

You might know that in the early days of the revolution, most of the people who faced the razor-sharp guillotine were from the aristocracy or were supporters of the monarchy.

But once the revolutionaries were victorious, years of terrifying infighting began, and thousands more heads would roll.

Host: Aslan Pahari

Producer: Hannah Jose

Audio Engineer: John Jacobs

Video Producer: Tejas Bhat

Special thanks: Michael Osmond for archives research

Executive Producers: Joel Werner, Eric George, Jessica Radburn

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Guests & Subjects Covered

Jean-Paul MaratCharlotte CordayFrench Revolutions AngelAssassination YouThe French Revolution RevolutionaryJean-Paul Marat Charlotte CordayAssassination TheMichael Osmond

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How a bathtub assassin sparked myths about life after beheading | ASSASSINS · Abc Australia · Sentinel