Other prominent conditions in the film are diabetes and a “wasting disease,” implied to be in many cases undiagnosed diabetes, that takes the lives of many Osage people before they reach the age of 50. Mollie Burkhart, played by Lily Gladstone, is one of several Osage people who suffer with the disease.

What was the wasting illness of the Osage?

The condition plays a pivotal part in the story: In the film, Osage people are said to commonly die before the age of 50, often from a “wasting disease” vaguely associated with diabetes, which itself is attributed to the consumption of “the white man's food.” Mollie's condition means that her husband, Ernest (Leonardo ...

Why did so many Osages get diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes among American Indians is the result of decreasing traditional foods of wild game, garden produce, and seasonal fruits, vegetables, tubers, and herbs, in favor of overindulging in sugary, starchy, and fatty foods and adopting a sedentary way of life.

What was Molly Burkhart poisoned with?

Then Mollie, a diabetic, began to become ill herself. As depicted in the film, she was slowly being poisoned through her insulin shots, Grann reported. Once she was taken to a local hospital and taken out of the care of her doctors, she recovered.

What disease did Minnie have in Killers of the Flower Moon?

The “wasting illness” in 'Killers of the Flower Moon' is likely a type of poisoning. While there are several mentions of diabetes in Killers of the Flower Moon, the “wasting illness” is what ends up taking the lives of Minnie, Lizzie Q, Rita, and nearly Mollie.

Tragic Details Of The Forgotten Osage Tribe Murders

Was Mollie Burkhart a real person?

Mollie Kyle (also known as Mollie Burkhart and Mollie Cobb; December 1, 1886 – June 16, 1937) was an Osage woman known for surviving the Osage Indian murders.

How accurate are the Killers of the Flower Moon?

The story that Killers of the Flower Moon projects onto the big screen is one that's hard for many of us to confront, and the horrific nature of the events might even cause some viewers to chalk it up to creative Hollywood writers. But the great majority of the events of the film are, unfortunately, accurate.

Why was Ernest Burkhart pardoned?

In 1966, Ernest applied for a pardon. Citing his cooperation with the investigation (White had credited his confession as vital for the convictions of Hale and Ramsey), the Oklahoma Parole Board voted 3–2 in favor of a pardon, which was granted by Governor Henry Bellmon. Ernest Burkhart died in 1986.

What happened to Ernest and Mollie Burkhart's children?

Ernest and Mollie Burkhart's son, James Burkhart, grew up and started a family after the end of Killers of the Flower Moon. According to an article by The Washington Post, James, who went by the nickname "Cowboy," married and had two daughters, Doris and Margie.

What were they giving Mollie in Killers of the Flower Moon?

Ernest poisons Mollie. The scene: Ernest comforts Mollie in their bed. Theirs is a complicated relationship. Ernest clearly loves her but, at the same time, administers her insulin laced with poison, at the behest of his uncle.

Are there any Osage Indians left?

Today, the Osage Nation has 13,307 enrolled tribal members, with 6,747 living within the state of Oklahoma.

Who was the mastermind behind the Osage murders?

William King Hale (December 24, 1874 – August 15, 1962) was an American political and crime boss in Osage County, Oklahoma, who was responsible for the Osage Indian murders, for which he was later convicted. He made a fortune through cattle ranching, contract killings, and insurance fraud.

Are the Osage tribe still wealthy?

Between 1901 and 1950, the tribe received nearly $300 million, which would be worth about $4 billion today [2]. Current Financial Situation: While the Osage Tribe is no longer among the richest people, the effects of the oil industry are still felt today.

Did Mollie Burkhart remarry?

Mollie's daughter Anna, named after her sister, really died of whooping cough at the age of 4 just like in the movie. Mollie eventually divorced her husband, Ernest Burkhart, and remarried a man named John Cobb in 1928. She stayed with him until her death in June 1937 at 50 years old.

Did Osage bury their dead?

Believing he was dead, the Osages performed their traditional burial rites and buried him on top of a hill in a seated position covered in rocks. The story goes on to say that being buried in such a manner brought Stink back to life.

Why were the Osage people so sick?

In one scene, an Osage man references the high rates of sickness in his community, blaming it on "the white man's food." Killers of the Flower Moon implies that others suffer in silence with the disease—a trend that still rings true among Native Americans.

What happened to the real Ernest Burkhart?

After his release from prison, Burkhart moved back to Osage County to live with his brother Byron. Later he moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma, living in a "mice-infested" trailer. Burkhart died at the age of 94 on December 1, 1986, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. His death came on what would have been Mollie Kyle's 100th birthday.

Is there still oil in Osage County?

He and other minerals council members believe there is still oil to be produced on the reservation, but it's a matter of finding new techniques to extract them. “But with time, technology sometimes doesn't move as fast as the time does. And so, like right now, there's a lot of oil still around.

What happened to Anna Burkhart?

In the middle of the trial, the Burkhart's youngest daughter Anna became seriously ill and died, according to Grann's book. Doctors attributed her death to illness and found no evidence of foul play, Grann wrote. A few days after Anna's death, Ernest changed his plea to guilty and was later sentenced to life in prison.

How accurate was Killers of the Flower Moon?

The movie's version is true up to a point. In the early 1920s, between 24 and 150 Osage died violent or suspicious deaths, most in or near Fairfax.

Did Mollie Burkhart survive?

Although Mollie was able to survive the treacherous hidden agenda set forth by Hale and her own husband, whom she deeply loved, the Osage murders marked her life for the rest of her days.

How many years did Ernest Burkhart serve?

Ernest was sentenced to life in prison in 1926 for his hand in the murder of Mollie's sisters. However, only 11 years after being sentenced, Ernest was paroled (via The Oklahoman). Although Burkhart may have thought he lucked out, his parole status didn't last long.

Were Mollie and Ernest really in love?

Mollie was Osage but spoke some English and eventually, Ernest learned some of her language, too. The two fell in love, and with Hale's encouragement, they married in 1917.

Did Ernest know he was poisoning his wife?

So while it's evident Ernest is well aware Mollie is being poisoned in the movie, the book never goes there. "Burkhart never admitted having any knowledge that Mollie was being poisoned," Grann wrote.

Was Mollie Burkhart married to John Cobb?

Mollie divorced Ernest and remarried

In 1928, Mollie married John Cobb and the two lived on the Osage reservation until her death in June 1937 at the age of 50.