Category Archives: Suicide

Matt Weinstock, Oct. 27, 1960

Posted on October 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Oct 27, 1960: Matt Weinstock weighs in on Ben Hecht’s discredited claims that Paul Bern’s suicide was a “whitewash.” CONFIDENTIAL TO IGNORANT AND ASHAMED: Your question is one that troubles many people … and it is nothing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Suicide | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Oct. 27, 1960

Another Good Story Ruined — Updated

Posted on October 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 6, 1932: The scene of Paul Bern’s suicide in his home at 9820 Easton Drive. Oct. 25-28, 1960: In response to an article alleging a “suicide whitewash,” the district attorney’s office reopens the investigation in the 1932 death of … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Suicide | 1 Comment

Widowed by Hasty Words

Posted on October 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

       Oct. 25, 1910: Jessie Emery wanted her husband, Fred, to go to the store and get a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread for dinner. But he had a hard day and didn’t feel like … Continue reading →

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Movieland Mystery Photo

Posted on August 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Los Angeles Times file photo Photograph by George Lacks / Los Angeles Mirror  OK, here’s another picture of our mystery woman. And yes, the photo is from the Mirror files. Update: On the jump, the identity of our mystery … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Mystery Photo, Photography, Stage, Suicide | 6 Comments

Medical Miracle Saves Killer

Posted on July 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 18, 1910: George C. Luitweiler wanted to sell his home at 1134 State St. so he could get money to be treated for tuberculosis. When his wife disagreed, he shot her to death and wounded her sister, then went … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | 4 Comments

Single Mother Attempts Suicide

Posted on June 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 16, 1910: I was struck by the contrast between the photo of women graduating from Occidental and the pitiful story of a single mother with two little children who was down to her last $7 [$159.17 USD 2009] … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Suicide | 2 Comments

Burglar Hangs Himself in Jail Cell

Posted on June 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

  What if it rained eyeglasses? June 14, 1910: Martin T. Smith is found hanging from the door of his cell after being arrested in Santa Monica for burglary. Smith, who had been drinking heavily, leaves no family, The Times … Continue reading →

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Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, June 2, 1941

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 2, 1941: “Carmen Miranda's bruises shocked the 20th Century-Fox execs into ordering her off surfboards while she's in a picture,” Jimmie Fidler says.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Suicide | 1 Comment

Man Hospitalized After Shooting Himself

Posted on June 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Not one, but two ostrich farms in the Los Angeles area! June 1, 1910: "The next thing I knew, I heard a shot and I ran to where he was. I saw him, blood all over, and his shirt … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Suicide | 1 Comment

Paul Coates – Confidential File, May 31, 1960

Posted on May 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 31, 1960: Paul Coates writes about Norman Farberow and Edwin Shneidman, founders of the Suicide Prevention Center.

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Suicide | Comments Off on Paul Coates – Confidential File, May 31, 1960

Matt Weinstock, April 22, 1960

Posted on April 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Vanished Bus       A fun-loving Hollywoodian is sweating out a nightmare, hoping it will go away.  The complication is that it wasn't a nightmare, it was real.       He went to Tijuana and became so simpatico with … Continue reading →

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A Baffling Case – Solved

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1910: Rancher David W. Dwire, a powerfully built Los Feliz rancher, is found shot to death, completely clothed except for his right foot. His missing hat, shoe and stocking are found 100 yards away. Is it murder or … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | 1 Comment

Movie Star Mystery Photo

Posted on March 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo Update: This is Anne Nagel in a publicity photo stamped Sept. 17, 1936.   July 8, 1966: Anne Nagel dies of cancer at the age of 50.     Just a reminder on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Obituaries, Suicide | 28 Comments

Man Attacks Wife, Commits Suicide in Custody Dispute

Posted on March 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 15, 1920: Two streetcar passengers prevent J.B. Claverie from slashing his wife and escape injury when his pistol fails to fire. After the attack failed, Claverie killed himself with strychnine.

Posted in #courts, Suicide, Transportation | Comments Off on Man Attacks Wife, Commits Suicide in Custody Dispute

Gardener Kills Principal, Commits Suicide After Setting Fire to School

Posted on February 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

"He is depressed and melancholy. He has illusions of persecution and that people are always working against him." Huntington Hall, 1790 Fremont Ave. Feb. 26, 1920: A gruesome story of insanity and murder at Huntington Hall, a girls’ school in … Continue reading →

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A Man Is Dead and His Wife and Father Are in Jail

Posted on February 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

 “Ain’t It a Grand and Glorious Feeling’?” by Clare Briggs.   Feb. 14, 1920: John Zeoll is found shot to death in his bed and his wife and father are in custody on suspicion of murder. They were cleared the … Continue reading →

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Young Woman Plays a Somber Reverie, Then Kills Herself

Posted on December 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 23, 1909 — Here’s a little more proof that the past wasn’t really a kinder, simpler time; there’s death in almost every line. Esther Bauer, 22, of San Francisco plays sad music at the piano before hanging herself … Continue reading →

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Deceived Woman Kills Herself

Posted on December 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Beauty and everyday usefulness of aluminum utensils are bound to be appreciated. Dec. 19, 1919: Muriel McMunn kills herself after discovering that she was deceived into marrying a streetcar conductor who claimed to be an Army investigator and vanished shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and Drink, Suicide | 1 Comment

December 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comment “Dear Paul– “Re your column in which you became confused over the use of the words ‘lay’ and ‘lie’ and settled by saying ‘get prone.’ ” ‘Lie’ would have been the correct word.  Intransitive, you know. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Paul Coates, Suicide | 1 Comment

Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 12, 1919: Publicist Albee Smith had a big story, but nobody ever found out what it was.

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Suicide | Comments Off on Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel