| | Wild speculation spread when Mrs. Harding refused (on the advice of their Doctor) to allow an autopsy. [[California]], where Harding's death took place, did not yet have a mandatory autopsy law. Several rumors started. One said that Harding, already depressed and facing impeachment, committed suicide. Another said that Mrs. Harding poisoned him, to prevent him from suffering the humiliation of impeachment and removal from office, or possibly as revenge for his cheating on her. A sensationalist book published in 1930 detailed the allegations against her. Harding left the bulk of his estate, valued at $850,000, to his wife. | | Wild speculation spread when Mrs. Harding refused (on the advice of their Doctor) to allow an autopsy. [[California]], where Harding's death took place, did not yet have a mandatory autopsy law. Several rumors started. One said that Harding, already depressed and facing impeachment, committed suicide. Another said that Mrs. Harding poisoned him, to prevent him from suffering the humiliation of impeachment and removal from office, or possibly as revenge for his cheating on her. A sensationalist book published in 1930 detailed the allegations against her. Harding left the bulk of his estate, valued at $850,000, to his wife. |