Suicide Notes

"I must end it. There's no hope left. I'll be at peace. No one had anything to do with this. My decision totally."

Freddie Prinze
(June 22, 1954—January 29, 1977)

Comedian. Star of Chico and the Man. Weight problems and mixed ethnicity caused heightened sense of alienation. "I wasn't a true spic, a true Jew, true anything. I was miserable fat schmuck with glasses and asthma." Verdict of suicide altered to reflect an "accidental shooting due to influence of Quaaludes," despite suicide note.

"When I am dead, and over me bright April Shakes out her rain drenched hair, Tho you should lean above me broken hearted, I shall not care. For I shall have peace. As leafey trees are peaceful When rain bends down the bough. And I shall be more silent and cold hearted Than you are now."

Sara Teasdale (1884—1933)

American poet born in St. Louis. She wrote several volumes of delicate and highly personal poetry, including Helen of Troy, and Rivers to the Sea. An extraordinarily sensitive, reclusive woman. Drowned herself at age 48, directing the brunt of her suicide note toward a lover who left her.

"Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your altar. Please keep going Courtney, for Frances for her life will be so much happier without me. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU."

Kurt Cobain
(February 20, 1967—April 8, 1994)

Sickly and bronchiatic as a child, lead singer of Nirvana as an adult. Kurt Cobain's body was found by an electrician visiting his home to install a security system. When no one answered the front door, he peered through windows. The electrician thought he saw a mannequin sprawled on the floor, until he observed a patch of blood by the figure's ear. When police broke down the door, they found Cobain dead: the shotgun still pointed at his chin, and a suicide note written in red ink resting on a nearby counter.

"Can you believe this crap?"

Jon Erik Hexum
(November 5, 1957—October 18, 1984)

Starred as Phineas Bogg of Voyagers, opposite Meeno Peluce. Not exactly a suicide note, but worthy of great literature. His was an accidental death on the set of TV spy show "Cover Up.". He shot himself with a pistol loaded with blanks, and the the resulting concussion forced skull shards into his brain. He died six days later.

"I don't care if people think I date a lot or a little, if they think I'm gay or if they think I'm an aborigine. Who gives a shit? I would rather people didn't think I was gay but it doesn't upset me a whole lot, and I've been to gay bars with friends and I don't worry about it. I'm sure a lot of people at Exxon are unhappy with the way that company is run, but I'm wildly appreciative to be here."

"First everyone understand nothing to do with Nicole’s murder. I loved her, allways have and always will. If we had a promblem it’s because I loved her so much."

O.J. Simpson (July 9, 1947—)
NFL running back, Heisman trophy winner, co-star of the Naked Gun franchise, and pop-culture murder defendant. Wrote his suicide note prior to fleeing the scene in a white Ford Bronco. Spelling errors left intact.

"Recitly we came to the understanding that now we were’nt right for each other at least for now. Dispite our love we were different and thats why we murtually agreed to go our separate ways. It was tough spitting for a second time but we both knew it was for the best. Inside I had no doubt that in the future we would be close as fiend or more. I don’t want to belabor knocking the press but I cant beleive what’s being said. Most of it tottally made up. Paula, what can I say, You are special I’m sorry we’re not going to have a chanc. I’v had a good life I’m proud of how I lived, my momma tought me to do un to other. I’m sorry for the Goldman family. I kwow how much it hurts. Nicole and I had a good life together, all the press talk about a rocky relationship was no morr than what ever long term relationship expriences. All her friends will confrim that I’v been tottally loving and understanding of what she’s been going through."

"All fled—all done, so lift me on the pyre;
The feast is over, and the lamps expire."

Robert E. Howard (1906-1936)

Credited with the creation of a literary sub-genre known as "Sword and Sorcery." Became a writer so he could be his own boss. With respect to his aversion to traditional employment, he once remarked, "my passion for freedom is almost an obsession. Writing has always been a means to an end I hoped to achieve. Personal liberty may be a phantom, but I hardly think anybody would deny that there is more freedom in writing than there is in slaving in an iron foundry, or working—as I have worked —from 12 to 14 hours, seven days a week, behind a soda fountain. I have worked as much as 18 hours a day at my typewriter, but it was work of my own choosing." A life-long sufferer of bipolar disorder, Howard grew increasingly morose in the late 1920's. He told his friends only the prospect of his mother's grief kept him from committing suicide. When she finally died, he climbed into his 1935 Chevy and took his life with a borrowed pistol.

"Goodbye, my friend, goodbye. My dear, you are in my heart. Predestined separation promises a future meeting."

Sergei Esenin (1895-1925)

Russian poet, briefly married to dancer Isadora Duncan. Hanged himself from the heating pipes in the ceiling of his room at age 30. Wrote his suicide poem in his own blood the day before he killed himself.

"To my friends: My work is done. Why wait?"

George Eastman (1854-1932)

An ingenious man who contributed greatly to the field of photography. He developed dry plates, film with flexible backing, roll holders for the flexible film, the Kodak camera (a convenient form of the camera for novices), and an amateur motion-picture camera.

Through his experimental photography, he accumulated a large sum of money. His philanthropic personality prompted him to give his money to various business endeavors, including the University of Rochester.

Took his own life with an automatic pistol.

"To leave this life, to me, is a sweet prospect. When you read this I will be quite dead and no answer will be possible. All I can say is that I offered you love, and the best I could. All I got in return in the end was a kick in the teeth. Thus I die alone and unloved. As you sowed, so shall you reap."

David Ferrie (1918—February 22, 1967)

Senior pilot with Eastern Airlines until he was fired for homosexuality on the job. His odd lifestyle was embellished with an equally bizarre appearance featuring a red toupee and false eyebrows. A key figure in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and "one of history's most important individuals," according to Jim Garrison. Investigator Harrison Livingstone remembers Ferrie as "an intense and sinister, cynical, disgusting, disheveled individual who was excited at the prospect of preying upon the vulnerable, the helpless, and the innocent." Worked for Carlos Marcello. Allegedly killed himself to escape prosecution.

"Dear World, I am leaving you because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool—good luck."

George Sanders (1906—April 25, 1972)

Starred in The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, All About Eve. The voice of Sher Khan in Disney's The Jungle Book. Died from overdose of sleeping pills.

"To Harald, may God forgive you and forgive me too but I prefer to take my life away and our baby's before I bring him with shame or killing him, Lupe."

Lupe Velez
(July 18, 1908—December 13, 1944)

Tempestuous Mexican actress with a brief career in musical comedy theater followed by a brief career in cinema. Made close to fifty movies in her lifetime, but none catapulted her to the superstardom she'd hoped for. Swallowed handful of sleeping pills. Left two poignant notes detailing tales of unrequited love and expectant motherhood.