On August 11, 2014, our beloved actor and Oscar winner, Robin Williams, took his own life. Robin hung himself with a belt at his home in Paradise Cay, California. After Robin lost his life to asphyxiation, it was revealed that he had been suffering from Lewy body dementia.
It is said that this blond bombshell most likely died from suicide caused by taking an overdose of barbiturates. People who were close to Marilyn have said that she was susceptible to “severe fears and frequent depressions,” as well as “abrupt and unpredictable mood changes.”
In April of 1994, infamous frontman of the rock band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kurt had an ongoing struggle with drug addiction and depression, and after fleeing a detox center in Los Angeles, he returned to his home in Seattle to take his own life.
In February of 2013, country star Mindy McCready took her life by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at her home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. This mother of two had spent quite a bit of time going in and out of rehab and had attempted suicide twice before, once in 2005 and in 2008.
The star of The Neverending Story II and seaQuest DSV, Johnathan Brandis, committed suicide by hanging himself in November of 2003. Brandis was discovered by friends in the hallway of his LA apartment building at the young age of 27.
Kansas City linebacker Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend nine times in front of his mother in December 2012. After the shooting, he drove to the practice facility of the Chiefs and in front of his coach and the general manager, he shot and killed himself.
After his 75-year-old mom passed away from cancer in February 2010, the famous British fashion designer and couturier Alexander McQueen, took his own life. After taking a mixture of cocaine, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers, McQueen completed the act by hanging himself with his favorite brown belt.
You may recognize this British actress and model from the movies Serendipity, Spider-Man 3, and The Four Feathers. Gordon was found by her roommate, cinematographer Jérôme Alméras, in their apartment in Paris, in May 2009.
Gia Allemand, actress, Maxim model, and contestant on The Bachelor, attempted suicide in August 2013 by using the vacuum cord to hang herself. She was admitted to the University Hospital in New Orleans and declared brain dead two days later.
Dana Plato, known as Kimberly Drummond from the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes, committed suicide by intentionally overdosing on the painkiller, Lortab, and the muscle-relaxant, Soma, in May 1999.
Chris Benoit was a professional wrestler and was actually considered the greatest wrestler in the world, at one point in time. In June 2007, Chris murdered his wife, Nancy, and his 7-year-old son, Daniel, before taking his own life.
Junior Seau was 10-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and honestly one of NFL’s greatest linebacker. Seau died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home in Oceanside, California, in May 2012.
Ernest Hemingway was a short story writer, journalist, and one of the great American novelists. After dying from a shotgun wound, his wife, Mary, said he accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun. It wasn’t until five years later, during an interview, that Mary admitted that he had actually committed suicide.
Hunter S. Thompson was an author and journalist, known for founding the gonzo journalism movement. In February 2005, Thompson died in his home in Woody Creek, Colorado from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The singer, actress, member of the pop girl group G.R.L, and finalist on The X Factor, Simone Battle, committed suicide in September 2014 at her home in California by hanging herself. A spokesperson for Simone came forward to say that Simone was struggling with depression because of financial issues.
By way of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh committed suicide in July 1890. The incredible artist actually walked his injured self back to the Auberge Ravoux, where he ended up spending the last 70 days of his life because doctors couldn’t remove the bullet without a surgeon.
After suffering through years of depression, the American news reporter Christine Chubbuck shot herself in the head in July 1974 during a live broadcast. Christine reported the news as usual before she told the audience, “In keeping with Channel 40’s policy of bringing you the latest in “blood and guts.”
In 2008, Lee starred in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but he was also known for his role as the main character on the Disney Channel series, The Famous Jett Jackson. He also had the role of Chris Corner in Friday Night Lights. Lee Thompson Young died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in August 2013.
Sylvia Plath was known as a poet, novelist, and a writer of short stories. In February 1963, Sylvia killed herself by placing her head in the oven of her London Apartment. Since her children were upstairs in bed at the time, Sylvia sealed off her kitchen so the carbon monoxide wouldn’t claim the lives of her children, as well.
Aaron Swartz was a renowned computer programmer, entrepreneur, Internet hacktivist, writer, and political organizer. Aaron committed suicide in 2013 by hanging himself, while he was facing 50 years in prison for computer and wire abuse and fraud.
In March 1941, after putting large stones in the pockets of her overcoat, English writer Virginia Woolf walked into the river by her home and drowned herself. It wasn’t until about three weeks later that her body was found.
In February 2007, the professional wrestler Michael “Mike Awesome” Alfonso took his own life. He was found hanging, by his friends, in his home in Tampa Bay.
Don Cornelius died in February 2012 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Cornelius was known as a producer, a TV show host, and of course, the creator of the infamous music and dance show Soul Train.
Michael Hutchence was the founding member, lead singer, and the lyricist of the major rock band, INXS. In November 1997, Hutchence was found dead in a hotel room in Sydney. After stating that Hutchence was depressed and under the influence of alcohol and drugs, the state coroner ruled his death a suicide.
Jon-Erik Hexum was an American model and actor. While playing a game of Russian roulette on the set of TV spy show, Cover Up, Hexum accidentally killed himself by shooting himself in the head with a blank-loaded gunshot round.
The former defensive tackle for the Houston Oilers, now known as the Tennessee Titans, Jeff Alm, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In January 2013, Seattle rapper Freddy E died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The artist of hip-hop posted a last note on Twitter before taking his own life. Freddy wrote, “If there’s a God then He’s calling me back home.”
American novelist, professor, and essayist, David Foster Wallace, died in September 2008. After writing a note that was two pages long, and arranging part of The Pale King manuscript, Wallace hung himself from a patio rafter in his garage.
Freddie Prinze was a stand-up comedian and actor that starred in the 1970s sitcom Chico and the Man. In January 1977, after going through marital problems, drug abuse, and depression, Prinze died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Diane Arbus was a world-famous writer and photographer. In July 1971, Diane took a large number of barbiturates and slashed her wrists, taking her own life. She was found two days later in her bathtub.
The founding member, co-lead singer, and the original guitarist of the classic rock band Chicago, Terry Kath, died in January 1978. While playing around with a semiautomatic 9 mm pistol, Terry accidentally shot himself in the head.
James Whale was an English actor, film director, and theater director is known for his films Frankenstein, The Old Dark House, and The Invisible Man. In May of 1957, James took his own life by drowning himself in his own pool.