Suicide on Camera
Okay, I wasn’t going to post anything until after therapy tonight, but…
This news story is just so bizarre and disturbing that I had to mention it. I got this via AustralianIT.com, which carries news that other services in the States often don’t get or get days later. Apparently, an American gamer has killed himself on a Bulgarian game forum, via webcam. It seems this guy, nicknamed “Kudjo”, switched on his web cam and drank radiator fluid with a bunch of unidentified pills. Other users thought he was joking even though he went on, apparently at great length, for six hours about the effects the substances he ingested were having on him and the fact that he “disappeared from view” several times. It was only after he didn’t show up at regular meeting spots that fellow gamers went to his home and learned that he had died in the hospital. The gaming forum has apparently been shut down pending an investigation, but I don’t see how they can be held liable.
I was horrified by this, especially the idea that people knew he’d talked about this but apparently did nothing. Anytime anyone talks about suicide it is no joke. Not ever. I know, because I’ve been there. If people I knew hadn’t taken me seriously, I don’t know what would have happened. I’m thankful they did. I only wish someone had taken this guy seriously.
Wow, sorry to be a downer today, but I just felt I had to put that out there. It can be a scary world and we all have to look out for each other as best we can. It was just so shocking that I had to say something. I only hope it turns out to be some kind of cruel hoax or joke.
That is absolutely sick and also hope it’s a hoax. My brother used a knife and although he survived, he had never spoken of his intent. We were left with wondering how we could have missed the signs.
Comment by Deirdre — 1/19/2006 @ 3:55 pm
Oh, Deirdre, I’m so sorry.
I’ve had several friends commit suicide and no one ever saw it coming. In fact, most of the time, the people closest to the victim don’t know until it’s too late. For instance, when I was in that bad a way this time last year, my parents had no idea that I’d been contemplating suicide. And, my friends did only because I got so scared that I might actually do it and what it would do to my mother and my step-daughter that some part of me cried out for help. I credit my spiritual connection and, frankly, familial guilt complexs. I felt that I was letting them down, again, by even thinking it. Don’t blame yourself, I’m sure he was purposely hiding it from you so you wouldn’t feel bad that he was depressed enough to be thinking it. That’s basically what I was doing.
I’m glad he survived and I hope he’s doing well today.
Comment by the Network Geek — 1/19/2006 @ 4:05 pm