Comments on: a death

a death

the fire you left me — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:20:27 -0800

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:37:35 -0800

Who's saying this? All your links say that the autopsy was inconclusive, and the coroner can't say for sure if it was a suicide or not. Do you have any links suggesting that he was murdered?

By: scody

scody — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:43:27 -0800

I agree. Yeah, it raises some eyebrows to read that there were two stab wounds (I seem to recall all the press at the time reporting only one), and it's interesting that there were no drugs found in his system, but for now it's an open investigation; though it could turn into a murder investigation given more evidence, etc., it doesn't mean that anyone has so far publicly suggested a plausible homicide scenario.

By: kittyb

kittyb — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:48:28 -0800

On the various Elliott-centric message boards, there's been Scooby-gang-esque buzz about the possibility of foul play since the beginning. Wishful thinking, perhaps? There was quite a bit of posting from someone who apparently rented studio space in his building -- I can't find the original thread, but there's summary and a pasted version of it here. Whatever the outcome... it may comfort his family and friends, but at the end of the day, he's still gone. Sad.

By: Utilitaritron

Utilitaritron — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:49:48 -0800

Hah! The BBC can't spell Elliott Smith's name.

By: Sidhedevil

Sidhedevil — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:52:02 -0800

As Vidiot points out, nobody in the links posted seems to suggest that Smith was murdered--only that they can't definitively rule it out. In other news, there are still 78,976 World War II American soldiers Missing In Action. You know, because they can't prove they're dead.

By: elwoodwiles

elwoodwiles — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 15:58:31 -0800

Not to be crass, but I've been wondering about the logistics of stabbing one's own self twice in the chest. Do you hold the knife and run against a wall or something? I'm not saying it's murder, just that it's weird and should be looked into.

By: efalk

efalk — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 16:39:52 -0800

Hmm, I live in Portland, Smith's former hometown and have met a few people who actually knew him. One who knew him quite well was a guy who used to be in My Life with the Thrill Kill Cult. Anyway he said Smith killed himself becuase he was fighting with his girlfriend and basicly said, "If you leave me I'm going to kill myself" and she blew him off. dunno why I'm writing this, but since the whole Elliot Smith death is kinda gossipy anyway....

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 17:31:56 -0800

Oh yeah, I'm sure someone killed Elliot Smith. Probably the same bastard who murdered Ian Curtis, Kurt Cobain, and Michael Hutchence.

By: jjg

jjg — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 18:21:44 -0800

As Vidiot points out, nobody in the links posted seems to suggest that Smith was murdered--only that they can't definitively rule it out. Well, let's see here -- the report does not rule the death a suicide, and does not rule the death accidental. What conclusion are we supposed to draw, exactly? This seems to send a pretty clear message to the LAPD to investigate the possibility of foul play. Probably the same bastard who murdered Ian Curtis, Kurt Cobain, and Michael Hutchence. Surely the differences between those cases and Smith's should be readily apparent. I should think "stab wound to the chest" is much more common among homicides than among suicides, while the reverse would be true of hangings and point-blank shotgun blasts to the head.

By: wendell

wendell — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 18:34:52 -0800

...he was fighting with his girlfriend and basicly said, "If you leave me I'm going to kill myself" and she blew him off. Somebody should've told him he wouldn't have been the first to break that promise. I should think "stab wound to the chest" is much more common among homicides than among suicides, while the reverse would be true of hangings... That's what the people who want it to look like a suicide specialize in... ...and point-blank shotgun blasts to the head. Except for people with very short arms. Hey, maybe Phil Spector did it... 'tis the season to be snarky

By: Eekacat

Eekacat — Wed, 31 Dec 2003 18:45:37 -0800

Professor Plum did it in the conservatory with a lead pipe.... (What wendell said)

By: adamgreenfield

adamgreenfield — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 07:39:15 -0800

I should think "stab wound to the chest" is much more common among homicides than among suicides...with the stabbing, and the thrusting, and the bleeding...glaven.

By: Satapher

Satapher — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 16:04:09 -0800

If only Connor Oberst would follow suit.

By: jed

jed — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 17:04:34 -0800

Has anyone questioned Courtney Love?

By: jpoulos

jpoulos — Fri, 02 Jan 2004 07:49:53 -0800

Not to be crass, but I've been wondering about the logistics of stabbing one's own self twice in the chest. I wonder about the logistics of doing it without any drugs or alochol in your system, as the reports indicate. When this happened, I assumed he had fallen off the wagon and offed himself in a Sid Vicious-esque "I was so fucked up I don't remember killing Nancy" stupor. To stab yourself twice while stone cold sober is completely bizarre.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Fri, 02 Jan 2004 09:15:01 -0800

What does Richard Lee have to say about this?

By: ph00dz

ph00dz — Fri, 02 Jan 2004 10:38:57 -0800

Haha... I interviewed Richard Lee way back in the day. That guy is a nut!