One Man Dead from Suicide, Another on Life Support After Attempt
(Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Sept. 3, 2014)
INCIDENT: 20:17 hrs. – Sept. 2 – Brandon Township – Shooting Investigation / Suicidal Subject – #14-139014
SUMMARY: Deputies responded to an address in the 4300 block of Dogwood Blvd. for a report of a suicidal subject. The complainant stated that she was on the phone with her boyfriend and that he was making suicidal statements. Upon arrival, Deputies made entry to the residence and found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head.
OUTCOME OF INCIDENT: The victim was transported to McLaren Oakland Hospital where he was declared brain dead and is currently on a ventilator. A detective responded to investigate. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation continues.
VICTIM INFORMATION: 60 year old, male resident of Brandon Township.
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INCIDENT: 21:13 hrs. –Sept 2 – Independence Township – Death Investigation / Missing Person #14-139053
SUMMARY: Deputies were dispatched to Independence Oaks County Park to assist parks with locating the driver of a vehicle that had been left in the park at closing time. Upon arrival deputies learned that the driver of the vehicle had been reported missing earlier in the day by Madison Heights PD. The driver had last made contact at 1am today with his wife. The wife of the missing person stated that her husband has been battling with Social Security Adm. and he told her “he needed to clear his head”
OUTCOME OF INCIDENT: Deputies searched the park on foot and with golf carts. The subject was eventually found deceased by deputies in the park. It appears he suffered a self- inflicted gunshot wound. Detectives, the Forensics Lab, and a Medical Examiner investigator responded to assist in the investigation. The Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the deceased and an autopsy is pending. The investigation continues.
DECEASED INFORMATION: 42 year old, male resident of Eastpointe.
NOTE: Police Reports come directly from the Police Department or agency involved and are written by the person or agency listed below the title. We generally run these “as is” or with minimal editing for punctuation, spelling, etc. Suspects should not be presumed guilty. Those needing more information about a case are encouraged to follow up with the reporting agency or court system for the most current information.
SUICIDE PREVENTION:
“Suicide is a major public health issue, but it is preventable,” said George Miller, Director of Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services in a previous article. “It is important for everyone to recognize the warning signs and risk factors for suicide to prevent the loss of lives.”
Warning Signs:
~Talking about, or making plans to die
~Talking about “ending the pain”
~Persistently feeling sad, lonely or “empty”
~Insomnia or excessive sleeping
~Social isolation and withdrawal
~Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
Risk Factors:
~Previous suicide attempt(s)
~Depression or other mental illness
~Substance use
~Family history of suicide
~Physical illness and /or chronic pain
If you or someone you know is in crisis, do not leave the person alone and do not isolate yourself. Call your doctor, 911, go to a hospital emergency room for immediate help, or ask someone to help you. The phone number for Common Ground’s 24-hour Crisis and Resource Helpline is 800-231-1127 and is available 24 hours a day.
Additional Resources:
Common Ground – www.commongroundhelps.org
Oakland County Community Mental Health – www.occmha.org
Easter Seals – www.mi.easterseals.com
Suicide Prevention Resource Center – www.sprc.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – www.samhsa.gov
National Alliance on Mental Illness – www.name.org