What happened to Adrienne Pollack? Details explored about the subject of The Playboy Murders on ID

Former Playboy Bunny, Adrienne Pollack died of a quaalude overdose on September 6, 1973, in Chicago, Illinois. Her death is the subject of the latest episode of The Playboy Murders on Investigation Discovery. The episode titled S*x, Drugs, and Playboy was released on June 9, 2025, at 9 pm ET.

The episode delved into the events leading to Pollack's death and the secrets that her family discovered while they tried to make sense of her death. The 23-year-old's family had suspected that there was more to her story than what was officially reported. As the family investigated Adrienne Pollack's death, they found a network of concealed activities and potential links to Hugh Hefner, the creator of Playboy.

These revelations have put into question the culture of the Playboy empire and the dangers involved in playing with its world. The episode about Adrienne Pollack's overdose was released on June 9, 2025, at 9 pm ET on Investigation Discovery.

Adrienne Pollack's life and death

Adrienne Pollack was born on August 16, 1950, and she initially dreamed of becoming a dental hygienist. However, while working as a reservationist at a local restaurant when she was in college, she also tried her hand at modeling to earn and save some money.

She was soon approached by Playboy and Adrienne Pollack made her debut as a Playboy Bunny in the early 1970s. She joined the brand at a time when it was known for its lavish parties and celebrity visitors.

However, Moviedelic reported that soon, Pollack lost contact with her family. Her family also noticed some changes in her behavior before she passed, but Fox News quoted her sister stating that they never thought she was using hard drugs.

Pollack died in September 1973 from a methaqualone overdose, a sedative more widely referred to as Quaalude. The drug was popular among party circles at the time and reportedly linked to the lifestyle Playboy encouraged.

Pollack's death was declared an overdose, but her family suspected something was amiss. News at the time and subsequent documentaries indicate that the use of drugs was rampant at the Playboy Mansion.

As per Time, former staff members and visitors have spoken about the drug culture at the Mansion where drugs were occasionally used at parties as a form of seduction. Adrienne Pollack's death was one of several incidents to become the subject of speculation about the seedy underbelly of life within the Playboy empire.

Family's search for answers

As per Time, Fox News, and the documentary, when Adrienne Pollack died, the official story raised some questions in the minds of her family members. They felt that there was more to her overdose and that while her lifestyle may have been glamorous, it might have put her in risky situations.

The latest episode of The Playboy Murders is based on the family's pursuit of the truth about her life and death. The investigation leads them to discover secrets that indicate Pollack might have been up to more than what was exposed. The episode will delve into the culture at the Playboy Mansion.

Some of the revelations may prove problematic for Hugh Hefner. However, since there is no concrete evidence linking him to Pollack's death, the episode might leave viewers wondering if the culture Hefner established at Playboy put the Bunnies at risk.

The Playboy Empire and continual charges

Time reported that while the Playboy Mansion was known for its parties and celebrity visits, it also had a darker side filled with drugs and other nefarious activities. Investigations that took place in the 1970s and later as well, confirmed there were drugs at the mansion. However, there was no definitive evidence that Hugh Hefner himself provided or sanctioned them.

Former Playboy security personnel and staff confirmed that marijuana and cocaine were consumed by visitors and employees. They maintained that Hefner might not have been directly involved. Pollack's death, as well as other incidents, brought public scrutiny to the dangers of the Playboy lifestyle.

As per Time, documentaries and interviews with past Playboy models and employees have portrayed a culture where drugs were sometimes used to manipulate or control women. These claims have persisted to emerge over recent years, leading to further interest in cases such as Adrienne Pollack's.

Watch The Playboy Murders for more details.

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