At the risk of sounding morbid....

[lilpup]

If the news agencies are going to report suicides I wish they would follow up with a few details so we'd know the rest of the story at least as far as possible motivation/triggering event goes [[e.g. the SUV that went into the river off Belle Isle and now this guy on I-275).

Telling us would be far better than us speculating [[because I don't really want to believe it's all about the economy, but that I-275 overpass is right around the corner from an auto industry company, plus I worked in that general area for years).

[sumas]

I thought the press did not report suicides. I do not get email subcription so perhaps I am wrong. I do agree that if they report these events you should be told "the rest of the story".

[Stosh]

They report them on TV more often than in the print media. I can't imagine that providing the reasons would be helpful, other than for morbid curiosity, and potential "push and shove" for someone that is in the same boat.

[Kelton]

The news last night did refer to it as a suicide. I think it's pretty obvious when someone jumps off a freeway overpass that it is a suicide.

I do not believe "the rest of the story" should be used to embellish a news story or to satisfy the curiosity of strangers to the family. We're all extremely conscious of what is happening to our world's economy, our jobs and our family finances, so it's easy to speculate one of those woes could be the cause of a suicide.

However, what if this jump was prompted by the stress of a divorce, or the death of a child, or loss of a parent, or the pain of cancer, etc.? That is the business of only the family. Aren't they suffering enough having lost a family member to suicide? Now they should have their dirty laundry or private affairs aired for all the world to see? I would favor more discretion than that.

[pffft]

Yes, but...

When you jump off of a public overpass onto a busy freeway, thus traumatizing dozens, possibly hundreds who witness your act, you've effectively ceded your right to privacy.

[iheartthed]

Yes, but...

When you jump off of a public overpass onto a busy freeway, thus traumatizing dozens, possibly hundreds who witness your act, you've effectively ceded your right to privacy.

Except that privacy means nothing to the person who committed suicide, so that person cannot cede it. The privacy protection courtesy is intended to support the family.

[greebomusic]

May I ask as to which overpass and when this happened? I didn't catch the news last night. I look at I-275 from my desk every day.

[ronaldj]

I always read newspaper obits that use "died suddenly" as suicides.

[Retroit]

How credible would a reason be if given from someone who is so distraught that they are about to take their own life? If the person left a note saying "I killed myself because I lost my job", how would you explain the absence of suicide from everyone else that lost their job? In other words, there probably isn't just one logical reason, but many compiled and confusing factors that the individual has not been able to sort out and think through unemotionally.

[lilpup]

Well, there are often triggering events that are identifiable and questioning about these is usually part of the official investigative process.

The deal is readers will assume scenarios that fit their thinking [[and thus be more likely to be 'pushed', imho) because the media isn't telling the full story. People's imagined scenarios are often worse and more extravagent than the real story [[seriously, that's how the rag tabloids make their living).

[Maxine1958]

As someone who has been affected by the suicide of a loved one, I think I can honestly say that nothing good would come of broadcasting the 'reasons' for someone to take their own lives.

Even if the person left a note, printing the contents in the media would only deepen the pain of those who loved and cared for the person. The signs are not always evident. The reasons given most likely would not cause the majority to end their lives. But that person at that time could not see a purpose or prospect for the future.

When the suicide affects the public, as this one did, then the media must comment on it. Beyond that, there would be no benefit.

[lilpup]

When they comment on it they should mention the probable trigger is all I'm saying. I'm not asking for all the details, just a mention - unemployed with financial trouble, relationship problems, whatever.

And I'm sure no one here has a corner on being affected by suicides.