Jamie Smith Mr. Bradley Period 6 The Mystery of Edgar Allen Poe?s Death Trained Scientist, psychologist, and pathologists were stumped when they faced the question, what caused the mysterious death of Edgar Allen Poe. His last few days were drawn out by long episodes of hallucinations and dizziness. Sadly the symptoms worsened and Mr. Allen?s short life ended. There is only one possible explanation that can be concluded by the evidence. Edgar Allen Poe died of a brain tumor.