DNA Solves 439-Year-Old Medici Deaths
DNA evidence has resolved the 1587 deaths of Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici and his wife Bianca Cappello, ruling out assassination by Francesco's brother Ferdinando. The couple died of malaria, not poison, ending centuries of speculation.
Key facts
- Francesco I de' Medici and Bianca Cappello died within hours of each other in 1587
- They suffered days of agony before death
- Rumors blamed Francesco's brother Ferdinando for assassination
- DNA evidence reveals malaria as the cause of death
- The mystery persisted for over 400 years
- The findings were reported by CNN via MSN
Entities
Artists
- Francesco I de' Medici
- Bianca Cappello
- Ferdinando de' Medici
Institutions
- CNN
- MSN