Category Archives: Suicide

Thousands in Los Angeles pray for peace, January 14, 1939

Posted on January 14, 2009 by lmharnisch

About 4,000 worshipers attend a Perpetual Novena for Our Sorrowful Mother at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral. People knelt in the aisles, in the doorways and outside praying for peace and for relief of the poor, The Times says. County Supervisor Roger … Continue reading →

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Another Nixon story challenged, January 10, 1959

Posted on January 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

A strike at a Hollywood supermarket turns into a management lockout involving 1,000 grocery stores across Southern California that lasts for 28 days. The union negotiator charged that the lockout was aimed at crushing the clerks’ union and forcing smaller … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Suicide | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock — January 6, 1959

Posted on January 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

Law Is Upheld A very upsetting ruling came down recently from Appellate Justice Paul Vallee. Shocked by the discovery that three men were held in jail for five days before being arraigned, he stated in an opinion, "It appears the … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Columnists, Matt Weinstock, Suicide | 1 Comment

Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Venta will return and be resurrected." Known as "the barefoot people." Above, followers of Krishna Venta describe life at the Fountain of the World religious compound and the bombing that killed 10 people. "A tower of blue and white flame … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | Comments Off on Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

Cult leader killed in bombing of religious compound, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

American history presented as a lavish pageant, the only film directed by Anthony Quinn, who took over from the ailing  Cecil B. DeMille. With a great score by Elmer Bernstein. An ad published in The Times shortly before the explosion. … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | 2 Comments

November 30, 1958: Former deputy strangles wife, kills himself as police close in

Posted on November 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

This is one of those stories where I wouldn’t change a word. We can only speculate as to who the anonymous rewrite man was, but he did a first-class job. All I can say is the obvious, which is that … Continue reading →

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San Marino woman commits suicide, September 29, 1958

Posted on September 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, pro baseball players shatter youngsters’ illusions by refusing to sign autographs. I guess Pat Brown can rule out an endorsement from The Times. Such was the state of political cartoons at The Times before the arrival of Paul Conrad.

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Sports, Suicide | 4 Comments

Couple found dead in pool, August 23, 1958

Posted on August 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

August 23, 1958 We’re parked outside the home at 322 Arbolada Drive, Arcadia. It’s early morning and everything is quiet. Nice place, isn’t it? Built in 1951. You’d never guess, but one spring day a few years ago, a college … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Suicide | 1 Comment

Actress attempts suicide at home of movie star, August 1958

Posted on August 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

A young actress and model takes an overdose of sleeping pills at the home of Mickey Rooney, August 1958
Continue reading →

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Lovers’ death pact at downtown hotel

Posted on July 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

  The Hotel Ramona on Spring Street.   I stumbled across this story while researching something else and it’s too good not to post. From The Times, Dec, 28, 1891. Email me

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Carole Landis, July 27, 1937 Form 3.11 (Revised 10-3-47) DEAD BODY REPORT Type SUICIDE DR No. 486 592 Victim SCHMIDLAPP, Carole Landis (Mrs.) Residence Address 1465 Capri Dr., Pac Pal. Business Address Eagle … Continue reading →

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July 7, 1908

Posted on July 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

e have a bounty of news today. Above, Mexican troops put down an insurrection in the state of Coahuila. And turmoil in the Mideast. At left, Mayor Harper urges Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan to accept Capt. Eugene Merrick … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

I discovered something interesting in trying to enhance this photo.   I was fiddling around with the contrast and brightness when the labels suddenly became readable — at least the larger type. Imagine my surprise. (No, I didn’t salvage this … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the photo of Carole Landis published in The Times. omeone was kind enough to send me a scan of this photo. Here are the items on the bathroom counter: a book of matches, a comb and several bottles. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, the Carole Landis crime scene photo as it was published in The Times, July 6, 1948. nce again, here are our two detectives, John Laymen and Emmett Jones, looking at poor old Carole Landis on the bathroom floor. I … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Here’s the overall shot again. So far nobody has mentioned the item almost in the center of the photograph. A piano bench and an old movie script. Voila! At first I thought it was … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Let’s break down the photograph by segments. First, we’ll  inventory everything on and around the bureau. Starting from the left, here’s the camera. I’ll leave to the experts to determine the precise model. My first … Continue reading →

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Carole Landis–RIP

Posted on July 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Detectives John M. Laymen, top, and Emmett Jones examine the body of actress Carole Landis in a bathroom (one of four) at her home at 1465 Capri Drive, July 5, 1948. Below, the approximate … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

May 27, 1908

Posted on May 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, time to start planning summer getaways to Tahoe … At left, fruit peddler Leonardo Vett, accused, along with his wife, of stealing diamonds from local jewelry shops. "Vett looks like a Jew but says he is an Italian," The … Continue reading →

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May 21, 1958

Posted on May 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

At left, Nicholas Aloysius Adamshock changes his name to Nick Adams … Makeup man Percival "Perc" Westmore attempts suicide …  Kim Novak bids a private farewell to the Dominican Republic’s Gen. Rafael Trujillo Jr. during a goodbye bash in his … Continue reading →

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