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What was August Ames' cause of death?
3. On Dec. 5, 2017, the body of 23-year-old porn superstar August Ames was found in a park near Los Angeles. The cause of death was asphyxiation from hanging.
When was Ames' final tweet?
Wheeler sent his appalling message telling Ames to “swallow a cyanide pill” in the early hours of Dec. 5. Ames’ final tweet, a simple “f–k y’all,” was sent on Dec. 4 and her body wasn’t found until Dec. 5.
Why did Misitzis and Ronson laser in on Ames' final scene?
At the end of the podcast series, Ronson and Misitzis laser in on Ames’ final scene because it was so clearly outside her upbeat comfort zone. Performing with 30-year-old Russian porn star Markus Dupree, who is known for his domineering style, Ames was pushed to her sexual limits and possibly beyond.
When was the Oscars for Adult Video News?
At the Adult Video News Awards — porn’s version of the Oscars — which were held on Jan. 27, 2018, Moore stood before the entire industry and declared, “Who you work with is up to you. It’s your body, it’s your choice. No agent, no producer, no company, and certainly not social media, decides what you do with your body.”.
Did Drake apologize for Ames' death?
Drake issued a heartfelt apology nonethe less, three days after Ames’ death, and in a rare interview, tearfully revealed to Ronson that she, ironically, was now the subject of intense internet bullying. Ronson’s reframing of Wheeler’s indefensible tweet is even simpler.
What is The Last Days of August about?
Ronson's new podcast was prompted by the death of 23-year-old August – real name Mercedes Grabowski – in December 2017, days after a tweet she sent about refusing to work with an actor who had shot gay porn.
Who is Kevin Moore?
Adult filmmaker Kevin was married to August at the time of her death and features heavily in Ronson's podcast. In January 2018, shortly after Ronson made contact, he released a lengthy statement on his late wife's website blaming cyberbullies for causing her death.
Does The Last Days of August become a murder mystery?
No. Ronson is keen to separate his podcast from the mix of amateur audio crime investigations that have sprung up in the wake of Serial. "I have a love/hate relationship with true crime podcasts. I'm a fan of them and I also find myself wincing at their ethical shortcomings quite frequently."
So, why did Jon Ronson decide August's death was something he should investigate?
It's an important question and Ronson admits having "long, dark thoughts" about the story he was reporting. But he remains convinced it needed to be told. "There were a few reasons why I decided to continue but one of the main ones was the realisation that not continuing would be worse than continuing.
How old is August Ames?
"The Last Days of August," a new Audible podcast with investigative journalist Jon Ronson, explores what really might have happened to 23-year-old porn star August Ames.
How did August Ames die?
She died by suicide in December 2017 after tweeting that she did not want to perform with a male actor who did crossover scenes. Ethan Miller/Getty Images.
Who pushed Ames to death?
Her husband, Kevin Moore, proclaimed it was internet bullies who pushed Ames to her untimely death. He posted "The Truth" about Ames's death on her Twitter page six days after her death, specifically blaming cyberbullying—and people like Jessica Drake and Jaxton Wheeler—for Ames's death.
Who filmed the last scene of Ames?
But Ronson and Misitzis also point to Ames’ last ever scene, filmed six weeks prior to the Twitter controversy, as being a potential trigger for alleged suicide. The scene, shot with porn star Markus Dupree, was reportedly a departure for her typical style and was aggressive.
Why did Ronson want to delve deeper into Ames' shocking death?
Ronson said he wanted to delve deeper into Ames’ shocking death in part because of his knowledge of the adult film world, along with his past study on the effects of cyberbullying for his book, "So You've Been Publicly Shamed.".
Was Ames homophobic?
Ames herself clarified her position saying in another post that same day that she wasn't homophobic and had made the decision not to participat e in the shoot to protect her body.
How did August Ames die?
In December 2017, famed adult film star August Ames died by suicide in a park in the Conejo Valley. Her death came just a day after she’d been the victim of a social media pile-on by fellow porn professionals—punishment...
What episode of The Last Days of August is the Butterfly Effect?
The Last Days of August: Episode Seven. April 11, 2019 • 39 min. Jon Ronson, the creator of Audible Original The Butterfly Effect, delves into the pornography industry again as he unravels the never-before-told story of what caused a beloved 23-year-old actress’s untimely death. In December 2017, famed adult film star August Ames died by suicide in ...
When is the last day of August episode 5?
The Last Days of August: Episode Five. April 11, 2019 • 29 min. Jon Ronson, the creator of Audible Original The Butterfly Effect, delves into the pornography industry again as he unravels the never-before-told story of what caused a beloved 23-year-old actress’s untimely death. In December 2017, famed adult film star August Ames died by suicide in ...
Who is August Ames?
2013–2017. August Ames (born Mercedes Grabowski; 23 August 1994 – 5 December 2017) was a Canadian pornographic actress and model. She appeared in almost 290 movies, including a non-pornographic film in 2016, and was nominated for several AVN Awards. In 2017 at the age of 23, Ames committed suicide after a particular event ...
How old was Ames when she started acting?
Ames's career as a pornographic actress began at the age of 19, in November 2013. She performed in over 270 films, including productions by companies such as Brazzers, Elegant Angel, Evil Angel, Girlfriends Films, Jules Jordan Video, New Sensations and Sweetheart Video.
How did Ames die?
On 5 December 2017, two days after her tweet, Ames was found dead in a park in Camarillo, California, at the age of 23. Her death was ruled a suicide due to asphyxia by hanging by the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office.
How old was Ames when she was molested?
Ames alleged that she was routinely sexually molested by her paternal grandfather as a child, but her father refused to believe her and at 12 years old she was sent to live in a group home. In her early years, she worked as a nanny, animal-assisted aide, and horseback trainer.
What school did Ames go to?
She graduated from Oromocto High School. She was of Polish ancestry and was also one-quarter African-American. Both her parents were in the army and she spent her early years as a military brat, including a number of years living beside Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. Ames's mother suffered from bipolar disorder.
What did Jaxton Wheeler say about Ames?
The tweet drew criticism and abuse from social media users. Jaxton Wheeler, a pansexual performer, demanded that Ames apologize or take a cyanide pill, which he later said he regretted. Ames, a bisexual, defended her right to exercise her sexual autonomy in a subsequent tweet.
