SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) EXAMINES NOTORIOUS CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND UNEXPLAINED MYSTERIES

"THE MISSING EVIDENCE"

SIX-PART SERIES PREMIERES SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 AT 9 PM ET/PT

New York, August 24, 2015 - Smithsonian Channel tackles conspiracy theories and enduring mysteries in a new probing six-part series, THE MISSING EVIDENCE. Each week, the series includes new insights from authorities, investigators, scientists and journalists, and uncovers new leads surrounding some of the most famous tragedies, unsolved crimes, persistent mysteries, and other phenomena that have piqued the public interest. THE MISSING EVIDENCE premieres Sunday, August 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Among the revelations featured in THE MISSING EVIDENCE are an intriguing scientific theory about the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11; research that reveals the possible identity of Jack the Ripper; the first statistical analysis of the data behind sightings of the Loch Ness Monster; strange atmospheric conditions that explain the litany of airplane disasters inside the Nevada Triangle; disturbing contradictions surrounding Marilyn Monroe's death; and the complex truth about the legendary American creature known as Bigfoot.

THE MISSING EVIDENCE: JACK THE RIPPER Premieres Sunday, August 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT For nearly 125 years, the bloody spree of Jack the Ripper has remained one of the world's greatest unsolved crimes, having produced many outlandish theories, but little proof. A new theory reveals a prime suspect hiding in plain sight. With over three decades of investigation under his belt, Swedish journalist Christer Holmgren is ready to unmask the man he is convinced is the knife-wielding serial killer who stalked the streets of Victorian London and brutally murdered six women. He puts his findings to the test with the help of a British homicide detective, a forensic doctor, a criminologist and a criminal lawyer, and then reveals a century-old photograph of the man he believes was Jack the Ripper.

THE MISSING EVIDENCE: 9/11 SECRET EXPLOSIONS IN THE TOWERS Premieres Sunday, September 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center left many with questions about the true cause of the buildings' collapse - even after the release of the official report. Conspiracy theorists and government investigators alike were mystified by some of the facts in the tragedy. Both structures were designed to survive the impact of a commercial airliner. Both should have withstood intense fires for 10 hours - so why did the towers collapse at all? Now a new scientific theory finds glaring omissions in the official report, and tackles the conspiracies head on. Two scientists working independently have found a logical cause for the mysterious "explosions" reported at Ground Zero - and this overlooked source may finally put an end to the dark conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11.

THE MISSING EVIDENCE: THE NEVADA TRIANGLE Premieres Sunday, September 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT The Bermuda Triangle has fascinated the world for generations. But there's another triangle mystery on American soil that has attracted increased speculation. Over 2,000 planes have been lost in a mysterious region over the Sierra Nevada Mountains - 80 times more craft than have been lost to the Bermuda Triangle. What is bringing down aircraft in the area now dubbed "The Nevada Triangle?" Conjecture and supposition has been rife, with some wondering if the crashes are related to top-secret activity at nearby Area 51. Others suggest the sudden storms that blow in from the Pacific Ocean. Some even insist on a connection to frequent UFO sightings. But can newly uncovered historic climate data - and one of the world's largest wind-tunnels - put to rest once and for all the mystery of the planes that disappear over Nevada?

THE MISSING EVIDENCE: BIGFOOT Premieres Sunday, September 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Tales of a giant, hairy, half-man, half-ape walking on two legs have existed in North American culture for centuries. Today, dozens of eyewitnesses, hundreds of giant footprints, and thousands of photos and videos - including TV shows - purport to show evidence of the creature known as Bigfoot. Now, eyewitnesses, anthropologists, zoologists and researchers square off in a quest to explain the legendary creature. The debate features new evidence of giant footprints, the limits of human observation, and what one witness claims is the best evidence yet: a piece of purported Bigfoot fur that will undergo a full DNA sequencing test.

THE MISSING EVIDENCE: THE DAY MARILYN DIED Premieres Sunday, September 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Marilyn Monroe's death on August 5, 1962 was officially ruled a suicide - but since that day her fate has remained one of the most debated conspiracy theories of all time. The FBI, the Mafia, the Kennedys - all have at various times been accused of killing Marilyn - but none of the accusations has ever been proven. Now, witnesses and experts reconstruct the day Marilyn died, sifting through the hard evidence and the disputed claims in search of the truth. Was there a lost "red diary" that contained the starlet's secrets? Was Monroe's home bugged... and if so, by whom? Did Marilyn receive visitors on that last fateful night? It's a mystery that reaches all the way from Hollywood Boulevard to the White House.

THE MISSING EVIDENCE: THE LOCH NESS MONSTER Premieres Sunday, October 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Tales of a monster have reportedly haunted Loch Ness for nearly 1,500 years. Over 1,000 eyewitness accounts are backed up by unexplained photographs, videos, and SONAR contacts... but many claims have been discounted by scientists. Now, for the first time ever, Dr. Charles Paxton collates the largest database of Nessie sightings in the world and runs a statistical analysis on what has been reported, when and where. His theory pulls together evidence from paleontology, marine biology, history and eyewitness accounts to provide a surprising revelation about the truth behind the Loch Ness Monster.

THE MISSING EVIDENCE is an original production of Blink Films and ME1 Productions in association with Smithsonian Channel, Blue Ant Television, Channel 5, SBS-TV Australia, and Historia. Executive Producer for Blink Films is Dan Chambers, and Executive Producer for ME1 Productions is John Vandervelde. Executive Producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle and Charles Poe.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, Boomtowners, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Find out more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.