ex-embed reporter was suicided 7 months after return from Iraq ..hmmm?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

don't know if this has been posted already but it is truly a DISTURBING story and gives me much pause to adjust my :tinfoilhat:

<SNIP>
"O'Brien wrote about his war experiences in a July 27, 2003, story in the Virginian-Pilot: "I lost 30 pounds, and 4 inches off my waist. I also probably lost a little of my mind, but it's coming back -- I hope. I'm just glad that's all I lost"

now he has lost more :(

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0203-07.htm

Was Death of Ex-Embed Linked to Iraq Experience?
by Joe Strupp

NEW YORK -- Dennis O'Brien, a military reporter with The Virginian-Pilot and a former Iraq war embed who died over the weekend, apparently committed suicide, according to sources in and outside the paper -- sparking speculation that his war experience might have contributed to his death.

The Virginian-Pilot reported Sunday that O'Brien, 35, had died Saturday, without revealing a cause.

Several editors at the paper would neither confirm nor deny that O'Brien took his own life. Norfolk police confirmed they had responded to a suicide on Saturday, but would not reveal the exact circumstances or the identity of the deceased. Several sources, however, said the reporter had taken his life, and suggested his time in Iraq may have played a role.

"I think it was a contributing factor," said one colleague, who requested anonymity. "He saw some awful things while he was over there. I saw things get worse when he got back. He did tell people it was an awful experience."

Coming just seven months after O'Brien returned from a nearly six-month reporting stint with a U.S. Marine unit in Iraq, his tragic death sparked concern among journalists about the potential deadly effects of war reporting.

"That is very distressing news," Sig Christenson, a military reporter for the San Antonio (Texas) Express-News and vice president of Military Reporters & Editors, said upon hearing about O'Brien. "People should try to know why it happened and if it had anything to do with the war."

[freestatevet]

1. "Suicided?"

The article doesn't seem to question the fact that he committed suicide. It does, however, question if the apparent suicide was linked to the gulf-war.

[G_j]

2. well if he did

he was not alone.

www.kaus.com/home/headlines/582932.html

Military Suicide Rate Extremely High

It's a kind of military casualty you don't hear much about, but US soldiers in
Iraq are killing themselves at a rate about 24 percent higher than the military as a whole.
The rate is 26 percent higher than the overall US rate.

The military has documented 21 suicides since war broke out in Iraq. That's a rate of 13.5 per 100,000.

The national rate is 10.7 per 100,000.
More deaths are being investigated and could ultimately be classified as suicides.

<snip>

[Mari333]

3. If this bloodbath in Iraq doesnt kill our kids or wound them

they come back so psychologically damaged they are a mess for the rest of their lives.
Last night I called the military group that gives families of loved ones headed to Iraq any updates
"When is my stepsons unit going to Iraq?"
"We cant say"
"This month?"
"Cant say. Soon"
"I cant know?"
"After they get there we will let you know."
So, we get to sit and wonder where, when, etc and not have a clue as to his own terrified mental state or where he's at.
It would mean a lot to actually have some date, some goddamn date or time.
And god only knows if he will come back insane like this reporter.
My god if it is so bad a reporter kills himself, it must be really horrible.