American Commits Suicide Following Recent Death Of His 4y Old Son

[webfact]

Grief-stricken American commits suicide following recent death of his 4 year old son

PATTAYA: -- A tragic update now on the story we featured on 25th August relating to the death of a 4 year old American boy at View Talay 2 Condominium in Jomtien.

The body of the boy’s father, Mr. Brett James Wolfe aged 40, was discovered on Saturday Afternoon in a 5th floor room at the Jomtien Plaza Condotel.

A cleaner found the body after repeated knocks to the front door remained unanswered and she therefore used a spare key to enter.

Mr. Wolfe was fully clothed and lying on the bed. A glass containing a selection of white and purple sleeping pills was next to the body and an 11 page suicide note was left next to the bed which clearly showed that the pain of losing his son in such a tragic way was too much for Mr. Wolfe to cope with.

Full story HERE

-- Pattaya One 2010-08-29

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Related story:

[webfact]

Grief-Stricken father commits suicide

Just 4 days after experiencing the accidental death of his 4-year-old son, a grief-stricken father decided to end his own life.

PATTAYA: -- At 3.30 pm, on the 28th August 2010, Pol.Lt.Col. Anuchet Kadsomboon, Pattaya police investigator, was notified that a foreign man had committed suicide in room no. 501/49, 5th floor of Jomtien Plaza, Jomtien Beach Road. The police team rushed to investigate with the rescue team.

At the scene, the police found the body of Mr. Brett James Wolfe [40] was lying on the bed. He was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and black pants. Nearly 30 tablets of white and purple medicine were found in a glass nest to his hand. His mouth was full of saliva. The police did not find any suspicious or foul play. In the room, they found a black back-pack which contained his clothes and his passport. On a table, they found a picture of him and his son was placed on it. There was also a note saying “I love my son Michael”. The police kept them as evidence.

Full story HERE

PATTAYA DAILY NEWS

-- 2010-08-29

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Double tragedy in Chon Buri

By The Nation

An American man reportedly committed suicide out of grief after his four-year-old son fell off the apartment building four days earlier, police said yesterday.

Police found the body of Wolfe Brett James, 40, inside a fifth-floor guestroom at the Jomtien Plaza Hotel/Apartment in Bang Lamung district yesterday afternoon. Police also found a handwritten suicide note saying "I love my Sun", 20 white tablets in a glass near his right hand and other tablets scattered around the room.

Jomtien Plaza official Pornnapa Weerakulwattana told police that James checked into the hotel on Wednesday, after his son died from falling off a 16-storey building on Tuesday. He had stayed in his room prior to the official going to collect rental fees yesterday. As the knocks didn't get any reply, they used a backup key to open the door and found James dead.

Police suspect he killed himself because of grief over his son's death. An autopsy will be performed on his body to determine the cause.

-- The Nation 2010-08-29

[mickylonster]

So VERY VERY Sad , R.I.P to both

[Shotime]

There is no greater tragedy than losing one of your children. I've known a few women who've lost children, and they never recover. It's a cross they bear for the rest of their lives. There's no imformation on the Mother, but usually one of the parents seems to take it the hardest. I wonder how the Mother of the child is coping.

[seanocasey]

RIP To both this is so so sad

[chiang mai]

How very tragic, RIP.

[webfact]

what a tragedy - RIP

[ronz28]

This is one of the saddest things I have ever heard of. Rest is peace.

[Naam]

There is no greater tragedy than losing one of your children.

tell me about it! we lost our only child five years ago and do not see an end to our grieving. even though we try hard to hide from each other what goes on in our minds one can read the other ones mind.

[craigt3365]

A family ruined...RIP...horrible event. My heart goes out to their surviving family...

[SomTumTiger]

May he find the peace in death that he never knew in life.

[craigt3365]

This article talks about his child's abduction a few years ago:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0229amberalert0229.html

The boy's mother, identified as Relaiza Galope Labadan, is believed to live in the Philippines.

[brahmburgers]

Yes, very sad indeed. Reminds me of Eric Clapton's tragedy. However, it's not a completely downhill never-ending slope. There are ways to deal with misfortune. Buddhism recommends 'non-attachment' - it's not just interesting-sounding words, it's a guide for how to avoid suffering in one's life. Granted, a child is probably the biggest attachment a person will ever have, ...that and a romantic interest. However, the loss of one life need not be followed by the loss of another. Where were the guy's friends - did he have anyone dear nearby? If so, were they all just snowballing his grief - or did they offer any glimmers of light for appreciating life?

[Somtamnication]

May they both rest in peace. Sad sad sad.

[Xangsamhua]

There is no greater tragedy than losing one of your children.

tell me about it! we lost our only child five years ago and do not see an end to our grieving. even though we try hard to hide from each other what goes on in our minds one can read the other ones mind.

Very sorry to hear of this Naam.

I remember so well when my children were little, thinking that to lose any of them would be the worst possible thing that could happen.

Now I fear for my grandchildren.

My best wishes to you and your wife.

[bkkjames]

IMO, this and the other topic should be closed out of respect for the departed and their family.

I see no purpose in following this tragedy 'live' on TV. Just because some pattaya paper feels the need to publish this kind of 'news?' Pictures and all, TV should show a bit more 'class'.

A simple text only version (edited) would suffice if it is deemed that this truly is a story that is newsworthy enough to garner a headline on here.

Disagree if you want but if I was a relative of this father and son, I would hope that someone might take this into cosideration.

Just my personal opinion. Rip.

[Phuket Stan]

IMO, this and the other topic should be closed out of respect for the departed and their family.

I see no purpose in following this tragedy 'live' on TV. Just because some pattaya paper feels the need to publish this kind of 'news?' Pictures and all, TV should show a bit more 'class'.

A simple text only version (edited) would suffice if it is deemed that this truly is a story that is newsworthy enough to garner a headline on here.

Disagree if you want but if I was a relative of this father and son, I would hope that someone might take this into cosideration.

Just my personal opinion. Rip.

I agree with that 1000%

[phosphorescent]

IMO, this and the other topic should be closed out of respect for the departed and their family.

I see no purpose in following this tragedy 'live' on TV. Just because some pattaya paper feels the need to publish this kind of 'news?' Pictures and all, TV should show a bit more 'class'.

A simple text only version (edited) would suffice if it is deemed that this truly is a story that is newsworthy enough to garner a headline on here.

Disagree if you want but if I was a relative of this father and son, I would hope that someone might take this into cosideration.

Just my personal opinion. Rip.

Tragic, but I dont think keeping it private is the best thing to do. I'm sure after reading this story some people have made their own balconies a bit safer and if getting this story out helps to prevent one mone tragedy like this then it will not have all happend in vain. Rip.

Edited August 29, 2010 by phosphorescent

[bifftastic]

There is no greater tragedy than losing one of your children.

tell me about it! we lost our only child five years ago and do not see an end to our grieving. even though we try hard to hide from each other what goes on in our minds one can read the other ones mind.

Naam, that's awful, so sorry to hear that. I can only imagine what you and your wife have been through. Words fail me, so sad.

[Jumbo chilli]

It's the saddest story I have ever heard.

RIP

[Spee]

It's the saddest story I have ever heard.

RIP

Yeah, same here. I don't usually get on these RIP threads, but this story is horrifically tragic. May they find each other in the next life and ease their pain together. May their friends and family find a way to cope in this life.

[bkkjames]

IMO, this and the other topic should be closed out of respect for the departed and their family.

I see no purpose in following this tragedy 'live' on TV. Just because some pattaya paper feels the need to publish this kind of 'news?' Pictures and all, TV should show a bit more 'class'.

A simple text only version (edited) would suffice if it is deemed that this truly is a story that is newsworthy enough to garner a headline on here.

Disagree if you want but if I was a relative of this father and son, I would hope that someone might take this into cosideration.

Just my personal opinion. Rip.

Tragic, but I dont think keeping it private is the best thing to do. I'm sure after reading this story some people have made their own balconies a bit safer and if getting this story out helps to prevent one mone tragedy like this then it will not have all happend in vain. Rip.

This one is about the father's suicide, not the balcony-that's the other topic lower down.just really think the pictures are tasteless. Using your analogy, I guess we should start posting every fatal car accident etc in full colour on here?

[Rimmer]

An even more tragic end to an already very tragic story, I am so sad.

RIP father Brett, and son Michael.

[sedeflonga]

My God... I was reading the story about his son just a few days earlier.

I feel shocked when I just stumbled upon it. So sad, so much love lost.

So sorry... RIP and may you find peace with your sweet little son...

[mrdome]

Yes, very sad indeed. Reminds me of Eric Clapton's tragedy. However, it's not a completely downhill never-ending slope. There are ways to deal with misfortune. Buddhism recommends 'non-attachment' - it's not just interesting-sounding words, it's a guide for how to avoid suffering in one's life. Granted, a child is probably the biggest attachment a person will ever have, ...that and a romantic interest. However, the loss of one life need not be followed by the loss of another. Where were the guy's friends - did he have anyone dear nearby? If so, were they all just snowballing his grief - or did they offer any glimmers of light for appreciating life?

Very well said, brahmburgers.

[lebelge]

Very sad RIP ans I hope that they are together now

[Scott]

My very deepest sympathies to the survivors of this tragedy. Also, Naam, my thoughts are with you and your wife. You have suffered a horrible loss as well and, although no one entirely gets over it, time helps to heal some of the wounds.

When I was quite small--maybe 5 years old, we visited my great-grandmother who lived in a nearby town. She would have nearly 100 at the time. I remember a large, oval framed photo, quite large, that hung over her bed. The picture was of a teen age girl. It was a portrait and she wore the traditional long-dress of the very late 1800's or early 1900's. When I asked who was in the picture, there was a torrent of tears and great sadness. It was one of her children who died of an appendicitis attack when she was only 16.

All those years, and all the people who had preceded her in death, but this one, a child whose destiny would never be known, was still painful enough to bring tears.

[mca]

That's fuc_king terrible. Poor bloke.

[Xangsamhua]

Yes, very sad indeed. Reminds me of Eric Clapton's tragedy. However, it's not a completely downhill never-ending slope. There are ways to deal with misfortune. Buddhism recommends 'non-attachment' - it's not just interesting-sounding words, it's a guide for how to avoid suffering in one's life. Granted, a child is probably the biggest attachment a person will ever have, ...that and a romantic interest. However, the loss of one life need not be followed by the loss of another. Where were the guy's friends - did he have anyone dear nearby? If so, were they all just snowballing his grief - or did they offer any glimmers of light for appreciating life?

I guess it's good to have something positive with which to comfort the grief-stricken, but you'd need to know that the person is ready for the kind of comfort or advice you have to offer. I don't know how grief counsellors do it. I know what Buddhist monks would say. I'd worry that my contribution might be like that of Job's "comforters" - a bit sanctimonious and not timely.

I agree with your principles, Brahmburgers, but I don't think I'd know just how to go about it. Your point about people possibly "snowballing his grief" is a very good one though.