Antarctica, a land of extreme isolation and environment, can turn deadly when things go south. This was the case for Rodney Marks, an astrophysicist whose sudden death in 2000 led to a homicide investigation. Was Marks a victim of the continent’s madness, or was there something darker at play?
Let’s delve into ten facts surrounding the tragic death of Rodney Marks on the world’s most unforgiving continent.
The First Expedition to the End of the Earth
On August 16, 1897, the Belgica, a three-masted whaleship, embarked on Antarctica’s first scientific exploration. After seven months, the ship was trapped in ice, and the crew became the first humans to endure an Antarctic winter. The isolation began to affect the crew’s mental health. According to Dr. Frederick Cook, the ship’s surgeon:
“The long… night with its potential capacity for tragedy makes a madhouse of every polar camp. Here, men love and hate each other in a passion which defies description. Murder, suicide, starvation, insanity, icy death, and all the acts of the devil become regular mental pictures.”
As months passed, the men suffered increasing anguish and paranoia. One sailor even planned to murder his superior officer. [1]
Extreme Cold, Darkness, and Isolation Take a Toll
Antarctica’s climate is brutal. During summer, the sun shines day and night, but from March to October, darkness prevails. Winter temperatures average -29.92°F (-34.4°C), with the record being -144°F (-97.8°C). These severe conditions often trigger hallucinations and paranoia.
People sometimes wander off from their base, and become preoccupied with violence. By the 1970s, the U.S. Navy began psychiatric evaluations at its bases, finding frequent episodes of physical aggression linked to low morale. [2]
Rodney Marks, Australian Astrophysicist
Rodney Marks, born in Geelong, Australia, was a 32-year-old astrophysicist at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Marks, employed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, worked on the Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST/RO) project. This involved using a 1.7-meter telescope to measure spectra of atomic carbon and carbon monoxide in the Milky Way.
Before his death, Marks was addressing an issue that required near-absolute-zero temperature with one of the telescope receivers. Marks had previously participated in the 1997-98 research season as part of CARA’s South Pole Infrared Explorer (SPIREX) project. Working in Antarctica was a fulfillment of his dreams. [3]
Sudden Illness and Death
Marks suddenly fell ill, experiencing vision issues. He woke up vomiting blood and was seen by Dr. Robert “Robo” Thompson at the base medical center, BioMed, several times. His condition worsened, and he experienced anxiety, disorientation, and shortness of breath. Marks went into cardiac arrest and was declared dead at 6:45 pm on May 12, 2000.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) initially stated that Marks died of natural causes, but an autopsy revealed he died from ingesting a large amount of methanol. The autopsy also revealed there were two needle marks on his right arm but no illegal drugs in his system. [4]
The Investigation Begins
Antarctica is governed by a treaty signed by 54 nations, which complicates handling crimes. Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald of the New Zealand police led the investigation into Marks’s death. Wormald faced two major obstacles: the 49 people at the station with Marks had left the base, and any clues had been cleaned and discarded.
Due to legal, diplomatic, and jurisdictional hurdles, Wormald’s investigation lasted eight years, and some of the most critical questions remained unanswered. [5]
Murder, Accident, or Suicide?
Suicide was considered unlikely because Marks had recently become engaged to Sonja Wolter, whom he’d met in Antarctica. They were described as a perfect match and were very happy together, according to Wormald.
Accidental poisoning was also considered, with speculations that Marks may have ingested methanol unknowingly. Murder could not be ruled out either. Investigating these theories proved nearly impossible. [6]
No One Would Cooperate
Wormald received limited help with his investigation. The NSF agreed to forward a questionnaire to the people Wormald wanted to question in 2006, but only 11 out of 49 responded. Some critical witnesses did not participate.
Accessing medical reports took perseverance and court hearings. Wormald also received help from two former NSF staff members, who provided the NSF’s medical report and described the inquiries made into Marks’s death. [7]
Alcohol & Drug Abuse
Despite a zero-tolerance policy, alcohol flowed freely during the winter season. Marks’s fiance, Wolters, noted the excessive amount of alcohol on the base. Some base residents made “toast Juice,” named for “toastiness,” which is brought on by spending winters at the South Pole. Wormald tested a bottle and found it contained 71% pure alcohol.
There were rumors of cannabis plants being grown on the base and an intravenous drug user offering drugs to others. Marks was a heavy drinker who used alcohol to mask symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome. Many have questioned whether the abuse of drugs and alcohol influenced the NSF’s participation in Wormald’s investigation. [8]
A Neglectful Doctor and a Broken Machine
Dr. Thompson’s decisions were questionable. He didn’t inquire about the needle marks on Marks’ arm and didn’t use the Ektachem machine because he was “too busy” to recalibrate it. The forensic pathologist testified that Marks’s chances of survival would have increased with a timely diagnosis. Thompson was unreachable for comment. [9]
That’s a Wrap
Coroner Richard McElrea’s official statement in September 2008 raised more questions than answers. He concluded that Marks died from acute methanol poisoning, but the overdose was undiagnosed. The medical assistance was compromised by an inoperable blood analyzer, making the death unintended.
Sergeant Wormald stated he hoped a hard look was made at the death and the situation, so it’s now a safer place to visit. Wormald and the Marks family got their wish when a new $150 million station was dedicated in 2016. Upgrades included a modern medical facility with telecommunications equipment to guide station physicians. [10]
The death of Rodney Marks remains a chilling mystery, shrouded in the harsh realities of Antarctic isolation and the complexities of international jurisdiction. While advancements have been made to improve safety at the South Pole Station, the questions surrounding Marks’ final days continue to linger.
What do you think happened to Rodney Marks? Leave your comment below.
