In 453 CE, Attila had found a wife in a young (likely Germanic) woman named Ildico. His wedding night was filled with alcohol-fueled jubilation which, according to the Roman diplomat Priscus, was not uncharacteristic for him. Attila and Ildico retired to their chambers, but the following morning guards entered the room and found the new widow crying over her husband’s body. Blood filled his nose and mouth, yet because no wound or bruise could be found, his death is most commonly attributed to a nose bleed. By lying on his back, the blood would have been allowed to pool in his throat and cut off his air supply (via ThoughtCo). 

While considered an accident, it is speculated that Attila’s death may have been intentional. Though his wife was apparently not held responsible, it is possible that either she or others assassinated him via poison. As Ildico might have been subject to Hun raids earlier in her life, and aside from her, Attila had no shortage of enemies, it is not impossible that his death may have been an act of retribution. Mystery followed Attila into death as, according to HistoryExtra, those who buried him at the bottom of an unknown river were killed to keep his burial location secret for all time.