I’ve flirted with death my whole life. Even as a young kid I was sick and almost died a few times. … Sometimes I’d be angry that they revived me. I’d be like, ‘How dare you?’…But of course as the hours and days wear on, you realize, well, there is joy to be had.
Singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt • Who died yesterday after being in a coma this week. Chesnutt, 45, has had a long, sad history which often showed up in his well-regarded music. Wheelchair-bound by a car accident at 18, Chesnutt was discovered by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and later gained a huge following, best shown in the 1996 compilation “Sweet Relief II,” which featured alternative rock stars covering his tunes. Chesnutt, even in the tough times, was prolific – he released two albums this year alone – but the sadness around his life has now been accented by a Christmas death. Awful. source
At least that’s what authorities are saying about the death of William E. Sparkman. Back in September, Sparkman was found dead in rural Kentucky. The crime was especially bizarre – he was hung and his body had the word “Fed” scrawled on it. Authorities now say that the case wasn’t a hate crime but a staged suicide in an attempt to earn a life insurance payout. Well, at least he wasn’t mauled by dogs like one unlucky Indiana census worker a few years back. source
He was found in Canada. The weirdest, creepiest story of the week, the apparent murder of model Jasmine Fiore by a VH1 reality show contestant, ended with yet another dark turn, as Ryan Jenkins was found dead in an apparent suicide. He was found dead in a motel in Hope, British Columbia, Canada. According to RCMP Sgt. Duncan Pound, “The hotel staff had gone in to check on him… it would be speculation to say how long he had been in there.” So there you go. Sick story comes to a sick end. source