Harry Houdini, the legendary escape artist and magician, died on October 31, 1926, in Detroit at the age of 52. His death was caused by peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix, which some believe may have been aggravated when a student in Montreal struck him in the abdomen to test his strength. Houdini had continued performing despite severe pain, collapsing after a show in Detroit. His sudden death fueled speculation and conspiracy theories, but it is generally attributed to untreated appendicitis.