Death, doubt, truth and charisma: Exhumations, enigmas and manipulations surrounding the deaths of Salvador Allende and Eduardo Frei Montalva

Abstract

This essay explores what has been an undertheorized link between forensic investigations and the sociological concept of charisma. To do so, we examine the deaths of two illustrious men: former Chilean presidents Salvador Allende and Eduardo Frei Montalva. Our interest is not to elucidate the causes of their deaths from a medical or legal point of view, but rather to understand what is constitutive of the investiture of political power. Based on the notion of charisma and the sentiments produced by forensic investigations, this article explores those non-visible elements that emanate from charisma as a concept, vested in the dead leaders’ remains.