In this episode, we unravel the chilling tale of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov, whose life was cut short in one of the most bizarre assassination plots of the Cold War era. Known as "The Umbrella Murder," this story takes us through Markov’s final days, the mysterious puncture on his leg, and how a seemingly ordinary object became a deadly weapon. We’ll explore the science behind ricin, the potent poison found in his body, and break down how this deadly toxin affects the human body, targeting vital organs with frightening efficiency. Join us as we dive into this dark chapter of espionage, uncovering how a single raindrop-sized dose can turn an everyday item into a weapon of mass destruction.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses topics related to assassination, poisoning, and the effects of lethal toxins on the human body.

Resources: Crampton, R. J. (2005). A concise history of Bulgaria. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/concise-history-of-bulgaria/E5AC0A4C1CB30368CE2AA22AC7C7EB8E

Hristov, H. (2013). Kill the wanderer: The assassination of Georgi Markov and the KGB. Ciela. https://www.ceeol.com/search/book-detail?id=412321

Kalugin, O. (2009). Spymaster: My thirty-two years in intelligence and espionage against the West. Basic Books. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/oleg-kalugin/spymaster/9780786743667/?lens=basic-books

Markov, G. (1984). The truth that killed. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. https://www.amazon.com/truth-that-killed-Georgi-Markov/dp/0297783009

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2024). Ricin poisoning. https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/ricin-poisoning.page

Schep, L. J., Temple, W. A., Butt, G. A., & Beasley, M. D. (2009). Ricin as a weapon of mass terror—Separating fact from fiction. Environment International, 35(8), 1267-1271. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19767104/

The View East. (2011, September 9). The curious case of the poisoned umbrella: The murder of Georgi Markov. https://thevieweast.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/the-curious-case-of-the-poisoned-umbrella-the-murder-of-georgi-markov/

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