10 crazy attempts have surfaced throughout history where nations tried to turn ordinary soldiers into literal living explosives. Suicide bombing is synonymous with terrorists today, but it hasn’t always been that way. It used to be the mainstay of standing armies and was extensively used by the Axis powers during World War II. The kamikaze of Japan are a well‑known example, where pilots were trained to ram their airplanes into Allied ships. Below is a countdown of the most outlandish schemes ever devised.

10 Kaiten

The kaiten were the underwater version of the Japanese kamikaze airplanes. Like the airplanes, the pilots were expected to ram their torpedo submarines into enemy ships, killing the pilot and destroying the ship. Work started on the kaiten in February 1944, and a prototype was deployed in July the same year.

The kaiten was more of a torpedo than a submarine. It was even powered by a torpedo engine. The pilot was only there to guide it to its target. The first prototypes allowed the pilots to escape as the torpedo moved closer to its target. However, most pilots were not interested in escaping. Later versions did not even allow them to do so.

A kaiten pilot had two opportunities to hit his target. If he lost the second opportunity, he was expected to blow himself and the torpedo up. The kaiten’s inability to dive deep underwater was its greatest limitation, since it made it vulnerable to Allied attacks. Some missed their targets, and others did not explode even when they hit their targets.

The Japanese navy did manage to successfully deploy kaiten against US ships, however. The USS Underhill was a notable casualty. It sank on July 24, 1945, after it was attacked by six kaiten. Japan suspended kaiten attacks a week before it surrendered.

9 Fieseler Fi 103R

During World War II, Britain found itself at the receiving end of the infamous V‑1 flying bombs fired from Nazi Germany territory. The V‑1 attacks were as successful as they were scary. But they would have never been as scary as the Fieseler Fi 103R, the manned version of the V‑1.

By 1944, Germany was already losing the war and had started getting some crazy ideas. Someone thought it would be cool if they could launch manned missiles from bombers. The German high command bought the idea but thought it would be cooler if they just put a person inside a rocket. The V‑1 was already successful, so it became the vehicle of choice.

The pilot was not originally expected to die in the attack. He would just aim the Fi 103R at the target and bail out before it hit. However, this would have been impossible, since the escape would have interfered with the workings of the aircraft.

However, unlike the V‑1, the Fi 103R would not be targeted at British cities. The V‑1 was handling that already. Instead, the Fi 103R would have been aimed at Allied ships in the English Channel. Germany produced almost 200 Fieseler Fi 103R’s during the war. Fortunately for the Allies, the Nazis never deployed any, since the German high command was not really interested in the weapon.

8 Proxy Bombings

While Islamist terrorist groups today will brainwash people with their ideologies before ordering them into bomb‑strapped vehicles, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) used a more terrible and cowardly tactic during its decades‑long war with the British government.

The IRA targeted people with links to the British government. Holding their families hostage, the IRA ordered their victims to drive bomb‑laden vehicles into British targets. The bombings were deadly and controversial. Sometimes, the driver only had moments to escape from the vehicle before it exploded. But they weren’t always that lucky.

One notable victim of the IRA’s cowardice was Patsy Gillespie. In June 1990, he was forced to drive his wife’s vehicle—which had been rigged with bombs—to the police barracks in which he worked as a cook. He did, and the IRA left his family alone … for a while. Four months later, they returned and ordered Patsy to drive another bomb‑laden vehicle to a military checkpoint. Patsy died in the explosion alongside five soldiers.

7 Maiale

The maiale (Italian for “pig”) was a manned torpedo manufactured in Italy during World II. Work started on the torpedo in 1935 over concerns that the Italian navy was surrounded by the British and French ships in the Mediterranean Sea. World War II broke out in 1939. The same year, Italy deployed the first maiale in the Mediterranean.

The 5‑meter‑long (16 ft) maiale was armed with either a 300‑kilogram (662 lb) warhead or two 150‑kilogram (331 lb) warheads. Two crewmen rode the torpedo into the English and French harbors. Once under enemy ships, the crew detached the front part of the torpedo, which contained the actual warhead, attached it under the enemy ship, and escaped before it exploded.

The maiale’s first deployment ended in failure. One was destroyed by an aircraft, and the other retreated after it was shot at. The maiale later found success in December 1941, when it sank two British battleships and a tanker in Alexandria, Egypt. However, the crew were captured before they could escape.

The maiale remained in Italian service and was extensively used against British ships and Allied merchant ships until Italy signed an armistice with the Allies in September 1943. While it was a success, it was difficult to operate and was prone to sinking into the water. This is why it was called “The Pig.” Many torpedoes were lost during tests.

6 Yokosuka MXY‑7 Ohka

The Yokosuka MXY‑7 Ohka was one of the infamous Japanese kamikaze airplanes. It was as deadly as it was feared. For a start, it was rocket‑powered, which was unusual. The majority of airplanes used by the Allies were driven by propeller engines.

The idea was simple. Once an Allied invasion was detected, Mitsubishi G4M2e bombers transported and released swarms of Ohkas toward the advancing Allied force. The Ohkas dived toward the enemy. Once they got close enough, the pilot fired the rocket engines, causing the deadly aircraft to speed toward their targets.

The Ohka’s first combat deployment ended in disaster when all 16 bombers transporting them to the target were attacked and destroyed. Some bombers managed to release some Ohkas, but they were far away from their target. While Japan later found success with the Ohka and even used them against US ships, they were taken out of production because the bigger G4M2e bombers were vulnerable to Allied attacks.

5 Sonderkommando Elbe

Sonderkommando Elbe was a special group of Luftwaffe (Nazi Germany air force) pilots trained to ram their airplanes into Allied aircraft. As we mentioned earlier, the tide changed toward the end of World II, with Germany on the losing side, and the Germans had been getting crazy ideas. One was the Fieseler Fi 103R. Another was removing all weapons and armor from aircraft and ordering the pilots to ram them into Allied planes.

The idea ended up worsening Germany’s situation. While Germany had better airplanes than the Allies, it did not have enough. The Germans didn’t have enough pilots or fuel, either. Turning their aircraft into manned missiles only reduced the number of planes and pilots at their disposal. While the pilots were expected to bail out of their airplanes before they crashed, it would not have been easy.

Germany’s idea of ramming airplanes into the Allies was not very successful in combat. While the airplanes destroyed some Allied bombers, Germany lost more aircraft than the Allies. Besides, the Allies quickly and easily replaced their airplanes, while the Germans could not so readily replace theirs, further worsening the situation of the Luftwaffe.

4 Bomi

The Bomi is straight out of the United States. Its name means “Bomber‑Missile.” It was developed during the Cold War, at a time when the US and Russia were only concerned with developing new technologies to deliver nuclear warheads into the other’s territory.

Bell Aircraft Corporation came up with the idea. They thought a pilot guiding an intercontinental ballistic missile into Moscow would be a good idea. The missile was divided into two compartments with a crew of three. A two‑man crew manned the rear compartment and were responsible for launching the missile from base.

The rear compartment detached in midair and returned to base, while the third crewman in the forward compartment flew into space before gliding into Moscow. The pilot would aim the missile toward the target before bailing out. This idea of bailing out sounds ludicrous, since the pilot would most likely have remained in the range of the 18.14‑kilogram (4,000 lb) nuclear warhead.

The US Air Force later dumped the idea because the missile could not reach Moscow. Besides, the US government was only interested in delivering nuclear weapons into Russia with either bombers or missiles, not with a hybrid of both.

3 Fukuryu

The Fukuryu (Lurking Dragons) were the Japanese versions of today’s suicide bombers during World II. The soldiers conscripted into the unit were armed with bamboo canes with 15‑kilogram (33 lb) bombs at the ends. The divers would sneak into enemy harbors and attach the bamboo canes to ships. The resulting explosion would kill the divers and damage or sink the ships.

Interestingly, the divers were more likely to die before they could strap the bombs to the ships. This was due to their unorthodox means of maintaining an oxygen supply. They connected their helmets to a tank containing caustic lye. The air they breathed out went into the tank, where it mixed with the lye to form oxygen, which they breathed in again. The idea was to breathe the clean air in through the nose and to exhale into a tube that led to the lye tank.

Messing up this specific breathing pattern could quickly lead to unconsciousness. About 50 divers died during training after inhaling the lye. Sometimes, water entered the tank, turning the lye into a deadly gas. It was also normal for divers to get stuck in seaweed. Survivors who never detonated their bombs were no better. Many suffered respiratory issues and brain damage.

2 Shinyo

At this point, we can all agree that the Japanese were so determined to stop the Allies from invading their territory that they used suicide attacks as a regular combat tactic. The shinyo (“sea quake”) boats were another suicide weapon deployed by the Japanese. They were modified torpedo boats containing deadly explosives.

Two types of shinyo boats were developed. The first, which was designed for the navy, was rammed into enemy ships, killing the pilot and causing extensive damage to the ship. The other, which was developed for the army, was used to drop depth charges around the enemy ship before fleeing. The pilot was not supposed to die in the attack, though they sometimes did because the boats were not fast enough to vacate the area before the depth charges exploded.

1 Marder

The marder was a small one‑man submarine built in Nazi Germany. The submarine was not supposed to kill the operator even though it often did. It was an improved version of a similar submarine, the neger. The marder solved some of the neger’s problems, including its inability to remain underwater.

However, the marder was not really better than the neger it was supposed to replace. While it could dive underwater, it could not do so beyond 30 meters (100 ft). For safety reasons, it usually remained between 13.7 and 15.2 meters (45–50 ft) below the water. Anything deeper was suicide.

Both submarines carried one torpedo, which the pilot fired before fleeing the area. However, fleeing after firing the torpedo was difficult in both designs. While the marder was successfully used against Allied ships, it was still listed as an unsuccessful weapon since one third of the pilots died during missions.

10 people who have stared death in the eye and lived know that the line between life and loss can be razor‑thin. Suicide is an epidemic that we tend to think of as a modern thing. While suicide rates have gotten worse in the US^[1] and are projected to get worse in developing countries, humans have been taking their own lives for about as long as we’ve had the tools and knowledge to do so. It’s a tragic event for all parties involved, especially the friends and family of the person who passed on, leaving tens, hundreds, thousands, or, in the case of some recent celebrity suicides, millions of people with slews of questions, with panic, and with fear. Suicide forces us to think of our own mortality and the fragility of our own mental state—just how vulnerable are we to a bout of depression or life taking a wrong turn on us, leaving us with what, at least perceptively, feels like nothing worth living for?

10 people who survived a gunshot to the head and lived

10 Oleg Shegeda

In January 2018, a woman named Svetlana Shedega was found shot dead, and a man named Oleg Shegeda was found critically wounded in St. Louis, Missouri.^[2] Police were called when neighbors heard gunshot sounds coming from the apartment. Upon their arrival, they entered the apartment to discover Svetlana lying dead on the floor with several gunshot wounds and Oleg with one single gunshot wound and a gun in his hand.

The police took Oleg to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. Svetlana was 67 years old at the time of her death, and the two had lived in the apartment for 20 years. Oleg Shedega would be officially charged a week later with the murder of Svetlana Shedega.

9 Cameron Underwood

Cameron Underwood would be 26 years old when he would finally receive a new face in 2018 after he shot himself in the head in 2016.^[3] He was extremely fortunate in that his face was restored relatively quickly with surgery. Most patients have to wait longer to receive face transplants, leading to severe emotional trauma, such as the depression which stems from social criticism and feeling guilty.

Cameron spent months in the hospital after he attempted to end his own life with a gun, an act which removed most of his jaw, all but one of his teeth, and basically the bottom half of his face, on the night of June 26, 2016. He was fed through tubes and covered up to his eyes, which remained. Like all too many who commit or attempt suicide, Cameron had been battling severe depression and the resultant alcoholism, which hurt significantly more than it helped. But in the end, Cameron Underwood received the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to smile again, when doctors completely rebuilt his entire face, giving him a new jaw, teeth, and everything else that had been damaged by the gunshot.

Today, Cameron is outspoken about his experience and tells about how he’s completely different from who he once was. Sometimes, through a failed suicide attempt, people can find a new appreciation for life.

8 Daniel Von Bargen

For many of us, it’s hard to fathom why someone like Daniel von Bargen would attempt to take his own life—he was a former actor on the hit television show Seinfeld and the movie Super Troopers, but this Hollywood star would end up turning a gun on himself and pulling the trigger back in 2012.

Shortly after he raised the gun to his temple and fired, 911 operators received a call about a man who had been shot—amazingly, the call was placed by von Bargen, moments after he’d shot himself.^[4] Even more insane, von Bargen was coherent and capable of holding a conversation with the operator while he awaited the arrival of emergency services.

The actor then went on to explain to the operator that he’d been suffering from diabetes for years and was supposed to have several toes amputated but didn’t want to go through with it. He said, “I’ve shot myself in the head . . . and I need help.” Then, when prompted, the actor explained that he had shot himself in the temple. Sadly, Daniel von Bargen died in 2015 from complications arising from his diabetes.

7 David Parnell

Featured on radio shows and television and making appearances as a public speaker, David Parnell is the last person you’d expect has survived a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. He’s married and has fathered seven children and travels the world to engage live audiences to tell his story.^[5] In 2003, after an extremely long history of drug abuse that had spanned 23 years, David’s wife Amy had had enough of his antics and decided to leave him—for David, this was his world collapsing around him.

David then took his SKS assault rifle, placed it beneath his chin, and pulled the trigger. But rather than the bullet traveling through his brain and exiting through the top of his skull, killing him in an instant like David had planned, the bullet exited through the front of his skull between his eyes, breaking almost every single bone in his face. But David had been high on meth at the time and didn’t even fall unconscious. He sat on the floor while Amy called emergency services, holding two halves of his split head together, and was actually capable of speaking, telling everyone how sorry he was for what he’d done.

This wasn’t actually David’s first attempt, but it would prove to be his last. Three years prior, David hanged himself, but after he had fallen unconscious, someone found him and cut him down. He now tells his story and of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, being featured all over the world on Internet sites, in interviews, and in public speaking engagements to let people know where such radically poor life choices can ultimately lead in hopes of saving a few lives from experiencing the agony that he has—or worse.

6 Katie Stubblefield

Katie Stubblefield was only 18 years old when her boyfriend broke up with her in 2015, leading to an event that would dramatically change her life forever. That’s when Katie took a gun, put it to her face, and pulled the trigger. Every part of her face, from her mouth to her nose, her sinus cavities, and her eyes, were all damaged in the blast. And like Cameron Underwood, Katie would receive a face transplant through the hard efforts of surgeons. The same surgeon worked on both Katie and Cameron.

She had taken her brother Robert’s hunting rifle in an attempt to take her own life, one that went horribly wrong. The shot didn’t kill her but left her horribly disfigured, and the photos from the events following are striking.^[6] But ultimately, Katie would receive her new face and then have to deal with the adjustment period of returning to as close to a normal life as she could manage. She is, however, extremely fortunate, as only 40 procedures like Katie’s had been done at the time that hers was, and of all the facial damage the surgeons had worked on prior, Katie’s was the most severe. These are the miracles of modern medicine.

5 Victor Sibson

The case of Victor Sibson is one of the most tragic stories of survival out there. Sibson was a young man of only 21 years old when he shot himself in the head after a night of drinking on April 19, 2017. Even more tragic than such a young man attempting to take his own life and failing is that his 22‑year‑old girlfriend was present at the time and attempted to stop him, but he was able to discharge the firearm anyway. The bullet from Sibson’s gun traveled through his head and into the chest of his girlfriend, Brittany‑Mae Haag, after entering through her armpit that sat beneath her raised hand.

Police and paramedic services arrived at the scene to find both laying on the floor with bullet holes. Victor had an exit wound through the top of his head, and both were rapidly dying. Medical teams were able to save Victor’s life, but Brittany‑Mae died from the critical injuries to her internal organs, telling them with her last breaths what had happened—that Victor had shot himself purposely and her accidentally.

Victor Sibson would go on to be charged in the death of Brittany‑Mae Haag and turned himself in to stand trial. He was formally charged with murder in the second degree.

4 Bed Bath & Beyond

In 2011, another man would survive a self‑inflicted gunshot wound to the head and live to tell about it when he attempted suicide in the highly public parking lot of a Bed Bath & Beyond in Portsmouth, Maine.^[8] Police initially responded to a suspicious shooting and found the man but thought that someone else had actually pulled the trigger. Upon investigation, they quickly determined that the man himself had decided to take his own life in a highly public place—and failed.

He was taken to the hospital and survived. It’s unknown why the man chose the Bed Bath & Beyond parking lot, but it definitely goes down in history as one of the most unusual places to attempt a suicide.

3 Lance Paulson

It would be over a year before Lance Paulson would finally start the process of standing trial for his crime: the murder of his longtime friend Steve Gagnon, who was 50 years old at the time of the shooting.^[9] The incident took place in April 2017 El Cerrito, California, a city on the east side of the San Francisco Bay.

Apparently, there was a financial dispute which caused the event in which Paulson, then 51, drew a gun and shot Gagnon and then turned the gun on himself in an attempt to end his own life. He was rushed to the hospital, and no one thought he would make it, but Paulson survived. It would take a full month to heal from his injuries, though charges were officially brought against him within 72 hours of his arrest, per state law.

The district attorney alleged that the motive behind the murder and attempted suicide was a $20,000 debt, and witnesses testified that this was the case, by Paulson’s own admission. Two lives were completely ruined over money.

2 Cody Mark Patrick

Cody Mark Patrick was an American traveling abroad, a tourist in Cambodia, when he made an attempt on his own life in 2008. Police found drugs in the tourist’s hotel room, though they declined to say which kind, after the man went to a shooting range in the Ang Snuol district of the Kandal province of the country.^[10]

The 33‑year‑old man walked into the gun range, purchased ten bullets, fired off seven of them, and then discharged the eighth round into his own head. He was treated for his injuries at a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, where he would survive. As there are no laws against attempted suicide in Cambodia, Patrick would not be brought up on charges of attempted suicide for the event. In some countries, such as Nigeria, merely attempting suicide is a crime.

1 Erik Kramer

Erik Kramer is a former NFL football player for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and San Diego Chargers in the United States and also played for the Calgary Stampeders in Canada. He, too, would go on to attempt suicide himself, proving further that fame, status, and wealth don’t always exempt people from the cold, hard facts of life that can sometimes lead them to try to take their own lives.^[11]

Kramer had it all planned out to the last detail back in 2015. He had been suffering from severe depression as the result of the recent overdose death of his son, written a suicide note to those closest to him, and dropped off his children. He then proceeded to shoot himself in the head. But miraculously, Erik Kramer survived.

When police and ambulances arrived, they noted that he had a non‑life‑threatening gunshot wound and took him to the hospital. Erik Kramer would be another person who went on to tell his story of depression and survival, giving interviews and spreading his tale of sadness, suicide attempt, and hope.

When you hear the phrase 10 suicide notes, you might picture anonymous scribbles, but the truth is far more startling. Even the glittering lives of the rich and famous can end in silence, leaving behind haunting letters that reveal a side of fame most of us never see. Below, we dive into ten well‑known personalities, each of whom chose to put their final thoughts on paper.

10 Suicide Notes From the Rich and Famous

10 Clara Blandick

Clara Blandick enjoyed a four‑decade tenure on the silver screen, most famously appearing as Aunt Em in the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz. After stepping away from acting in 1950, she settled into the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where visitors grew scarce and her once‑bright star dimmed into near obscurity.

Retirement ushered in a cascade of health woes. Her vision faltered, and relentless arthritis inflicted constant agony, eroding both body and spirit. One quiet Sunday in April 1962, she attended church, then returned home to meticulously arrange her personal belongings, laying out treasured photographs and career memorabilia with deliberate care.

She dressed herself with the same elegance she had always favored—applying makeup, slipping into her beloved dressing gown, and settling on a couch draped with a golden blanket. The scene was almost cinematic, though the plastic bag she used to suffocate herself sadly marred the tableau.

Clara’s final note read, “I am now about to make the great adventure. I cannot endure this agonizing pain any longer. It is all over my body. Neither can I face the impending blindness. I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.”

9 George Eastman

George Eastman reshaped everyday life with his invention of the Kodak camera, a device that turned photography from an elite hobby into a pastime anyone could enjoy. Before his breakthrough, cameras were bulky, costly, and required expert handling; his innovation made them cheap, compact, and user‑friendly.

The crowning achievement of his career, the $1 Brownie camera, opened the doors for amateurs and children alike. Its portability made it a favorite among World War I soldiers, who could easily tuck it into their gear packs.

Beyond his inventive genius, Eastman was a compassionate employer and generous philanthropist, donating more than $100 million over his lifetime. Yet, as his health deteriorated, the activities he once loved became burdensome, and in 1932 he chose a swift end with a gunshot to his heart.

His farewell note was succinct: “To my friends: My work is done. Why wait? G. E.”

8 Tony Hancock

Tony Hancock carved a niche as an actor‑comedian, often portraying characters who felt the world had treated them unfairly. His on‑stage personas brimmed with self‑importance, only to be humbled when the audience failed to recognize their supposed brilliance.

Hancock’s off‑stage life mirrored his characters in many ways. He grew increasingly resentful of collaborators—particularly the writing duo Galton and Simpson, whose clever lines he felt should have borne his name, and co‑star Sid James, whose jokes he begrudgingly admired. In a drastic move, he demanded James’s removal from Hancock’s Half Hour and subsequently fired his own writers, a decision he later lamented.

As his career faltered without the creative team, his long‑standing battle with alcohol intensified. Hoping to revive his fortunes, he accepted a television project in Australia, but the experience left him despondent. Believing the production was failing, he took his own life in his hotel room.

His final note echoed the despair of his on‑screen persona: “Things just seemed to go too wrong too many times.”

7 Vachel Lindsay

Vachel Lindsay was celebrated for his flamboyant performance poetry, which he dubbed “higher vaudeville.” While his style captivated early audiences, many of his works today are viewed as culturally insensitive, especially his stereotypical portrayals of African‑American life. He even performed in blackface for a poem about the Congo, a place he’d never visited.

Despite his controversial methods, Lindsay earnestly tried to capture the spirit of small‑town America, earning a burst of patriotism during World War I. After the war, however, his audience dwindled, his income shrank, and critics mocked his dramatic flair.

Health issues compounded his woes, and by 1931 he was both physically broken and deeply depressed. He chose a painful end by drinking a bottle of lye, a method as theatrical as his poetry.

His suicide note was stark: “They tried to get me—I got them first!”

6 George Sanders

George Sanders, an Oscar‑winning actor, never seemed able to savor his success. He married four times, including a brief union with Zsa Zsa Gabor and later with her sister Magda. Known for his biting wit, he once confessed, “I am not a sweet person. I am a disagreeable person. I am a hateful person.”

His self‑awareness did little to lift his spirits, nor did the help of seven psychiatrists. Feeling perpetually snubbed for roles he coveted, the frustration gnawed at him. In 1972, at 65, Sanders ingested five bottles of Nembutal in a Spanish hotel room.

The note he left was unapologetically contemptuous: “Dear World, I am leaving you because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck.”

5 Lupe Valez

Lupe Valez dazzled 1920s Hollywood as a Mexican actress famed for fiery roles that earned her the nickname “The Mexican Spitfire.” While she thrived on the party circuit, she remained a devout Catholic. When she discovered she was pregnant at 36, she refused the era’s common “health‑spa” abortions, opting instead for a more personal decision.

She briefly became engaged to Australian actor Harald Ramond, the father of her unborn child, but the engagement dissolved just days before her death. After hosting a dinner party, she slipped away from her friends and took her own life with poison, leaving a note to Harald that read, “To Harald, may God forgive you and forgive me too but I prefer to take my life away and our baby’s before I bring him with shame or killing him, Lupe.”

Rumors later swirled that she had meticulously arranged a glamorous death, only to end up nauseated and dying with her head in a toilet—a story that remains unverified.

4 Terry Kath

Terry Kath wielded the guitar for the rock band Chicago, earning high praise from Jimi Hendrix, who called him “better than me.” Like many musicians of his era, Kath battled alcoholism, drug abuse, and recurring bouts of deep depression. He also cultivated a hobby of collecting firearms—a dangerous pairing.

Chicago’s meteoric rise in 1969, opening for both Hendrix and Jan Joplin, gave Kath a taste of stardom. By 1977, internal tensions fractured the group, and Kath’s relationships with bandmates soured. His cocaine consumption escalated, and he took up an alarming pastime: Russian roulette.

On a January day in 1978, after a two‑day binge of cocaine, Kath decided to clean his guns. When warned to exercise caution, he retorted, “What do you think I’m gonna do? Blow my brains out?” He pulled the trigger, unaware that a stray bullet remained in the chamber, and the gun discharged, ending his life instantly.

Whether the act was a deliberate suicide or a tragic accident stemming from his reckless obsession remains debated, but his final words were chillingly prophetic.

3 Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf stands among the most influential writers of the twentieth century, celebrated for her literary innovations and a seemingly harmonious marriage. Yet, she endured lifelong bouts of mental illness, likely bipolar disorder—a condition poorly understood and untreated in her time.

When she sensed another manic episode looming, Woolle penned a tender, anguished note to her husband, declaring, “Dearest, I feel certain that I’m going mad again. I feel we can’t go through another of those terrible times… I can’t go on spoiling your life any longer… V.” The letter expressed profound love, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

On March 28, 1941, Woolf filled her pockets with stones and walked into the River Ouse near her home, ending her life by drowning.

2 Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious, the notorious bassist of the Sex Pistols, epitomized the raw, chaotic energy of punk rock. Though musically limited, his volatile temperament made headlines—he frequently assaulted journalists, clashed with audiences, and sought refuge in a spiraling heroin addiction shared with his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.

In October 1979, Vicious awoke to discover Nancy dead on their Manhattan hotel bathroom floor, a knife wound to her stomach. Though he owned the weapon, he gave contradictory statements to police, sometimes admitting the stabbing, other times claiming amnesia due to drug use. He was arrested and charged with her murder.While awaiting trial, Vicious attempted suicide multiple times without success. On the night he was granted bail, he was found dead in his jacket pocket, a note allegedly reading, “We had a death pact, and I have to keep my half of the bargain. Please bury me next to my baby in my leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots. Goodbye.”

1 Hunter S Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson, the pioneering Gonzo journalist behind Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, lived a life as explosive as his prose. Known for his Southern charm, gun‑loving anarchism, and relentless drug use, he chronicled America’s underbelly while chasing an ever‑elusive version of the American Dream.

In his later years, Thompson faced mounting health issues and a deep aversion to aging. Believing that his time had run out, he shot himself in the kitchen of his Colorado home, Owl Farm, in 2005. A few weeks earlier, he had penned a stark final note: “No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax This won’t hurt.”

His friends honored his flamboyant spirit by launching his ashes from a cannon into space, turning his ultimate exit into one last, spectacular explosion.

If You Need Help: If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to a trusted resource. United States National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1‑800‑273‑8255; Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1‑833‑456‑4566; United Kingdom Samaritans Helpline: 116 123. International numbers are available here.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes trigeminal neuralgia (TN, often dubbed the “suicide disease”) so terrifying, you’re in the right place. Below are 10 unnerving facts that lay bare the worst‑pain‑known‑to‑man, its eerie past, bewildering triggers, and the fight for relief.

10 Unnerving Facts at a Glance

10 A Long History

Early physicians were already scratching their heads over a baffling form of facial torture that modern scholars label “tortura oris.” Greek healers Galen and Aretaeus of Cappadocia mentioned such agony in the first century, and Avicenna revisited the mystery in the 11th century. Even Hippocrates noted the perplexing pain in his seminal writings.

Fast‑forward to 13th‑century England, where the tomb of Bishop Button in Somerset bears eerie stone carvings of figures clutching their throats in distress. Researchers interpret these as early visual clues to what we now recognize as trigeminal neuralgia, rather than simple toothaches.

When Bishop Button’s remains were later exhumed, his teeth turned out to be remarkably intact—yet pilgrims still flocked to his shrine, hoping the saint could cure their jaw‑related woes. The legend persisted, blurring the line between dental pain and nerve‑driven torment.

The condition finally entered mainstream medical discourse when the English philosopher‑physician John Locke described its symptoms in 1677. By 1756, French physician Nicolas André coined the clinical term “tic douloureux.” Shortly thereafter, John Fothergill published a comprehensive account, dubbing it “Fothergill’s disease.”

Fothergill’s breakthrough was to classify the ailment as neurological, not dental. Modern neurology now calls it trigeminal neuralgia, referencing the fifth cranial nerve—the trigeminal nerve—whose dysfunction produces the searing facial pain.

9 A Disease Of Many Names

The nickname that sends shivers down spines is the “suicide disease.” When newly diagnosed patients hear this label, the shock is palpable, yet it captures the sheer gravity of the suffering.

Trigeminal neuralgia is infamous for delivering the most excruciating pain known to humanity. Only in recent decades have clinicians begun to develop truly effective therapies to tame its fury.

Popular myth once claimed that over half of those afflicted chose to end their lives. In reality, rigorous studies have found no solid evidence to back that alarming statistic, offering a small measure of solace to patients and families.

Beyond the grim nickname, the disorder carries a slew of alternative titles: tic douloureux, Fothergill’s disease, prosoplasia, and trifacial neuralgia. Most sufferers and their doctors simply abbreviate it to “TN.”

8 Trigger‑Happy Pain

What sets off the electric‑like jolts of TN? The short answer: almost everything. From a bright smile to a gentle breeze, the nerve seems primed to react.

Patients report a staggering roster of triggers: smiling, touching the face, brushing teeth, combing hair, wind gusts, eating, drinking, sudden temperature shifts, shaving, applying makeup, certain foods, loud noises, and even kissing. The sheer variety makes daily life feel like walking on a minefield.

The anticipation of a trigger can be just as debilitating as the pain itself, causing many sufferers to withdraw from routine activities for fear of an unexpected flare‑up.

7 The Dental Connection

“Yank ’em all out!” is the rallying cry of many newly diagnosed TN patients who, mistaking nerve pain for a stubborn toothache, rush to the dentist demanding extractions.

Like the medieval shrine to Bishop Button, modern sufferers often believe the source of their agony lies in a rogue tooth. In reality, the pain radiates from the trigeminal nerve, not the dentition, leading many to undergo unnecessary dental work.

Frustration mounts when patients endure multiple extractions, only to discover the pain persists, sometimes culminating in a full set of dentures before age 50. Veteran TN patients frequently share this cautionary tale with newcomers.

Still, the dental link isn’t entirely a red herring. Research shows that dental trauma—whether accidental or iatrogenic—accounts for roughly 40 % of trigeminal neuralgia cases. Combined with routine dental procedures that act as triggers, this creates a perfect storm of facial pain.

Thus, while not every toothache signals TN, dental professionals must stay vigilant, and patients should be aware that a dentist unfamiliar with the condition might inadvertently exacerbate the problem.

6 Treating The Incurable

Given its centuries‑long saga, it’s astonishing that truly viable treatments for trigeminal neuralgia have only emerged in the past hundred years. Once researchers pinpointed its neurological roots, a wave of medical interventions followed.

Traditional analgesics—NSAIDs and opioids—prove largely ineffective because the pain originates from a nerve, not inflammation. Instead, anticonvulsants such as gabapentin and Trileptal serve as first‑line therapy, delivering relief in about 80 % of cases.

These drugs, however, bring a host of side‑effects, and many patients find they must gradually increase dosages to sustain efficacy. Adjunct medications like Lamictal and Baclofen are sometimes added to bolster the anticonvulsant effect.

When pharmacology falls short, surgeons step in. The most prevalent operation is microvascular decompression (MVD), a technique pioneered by Walter Dandy in 1925. MVD gently separates the trigeminal nerve’s root from a compressing artery, alleviating the pressure that fuels pain.

Patients with classic (Type 1) TN whose MRI reveals arterial compression tend to respond best to MVD. Yet outcomes vary: some enjoy complete, long‑lasting relief, while others experience only temporary respite, sometimes necessitating repeat surgeries.

Potential complications—such as anesthesia dolorosa, a paradoxical numbness that can be agonizing—underscore that MVD isn’t a guaranteed cure.

For those with atypical (Type 2) TN or other facial pain syndromes, alternative procedures like rhizotomy, glycerol injections, or balloon compression may be recommended.

So where does this leave us? In a landscape where the disorder remains a formidable adversary. Some therapies work wonderfully for a subset of patients, but durability is uneven. Managing TN requires relentless trial‑and‑error, perseverance, and a partnership between patient and clinician.

Research is relentless. With continued scientific dedication, a definitive cure—or at least a consistently reliable long‑term treatment—may soon be within reach.

5 Triple Whammy

Trigeminal neuralgia rarely travels alone. It often brings along a trio of unwelcome companions, turning an already excruciating experience into a full‑blown health crisis.

The most documented partner is multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers remain uncertain whether MS triggers TN or vice‑versa, but data reveal that 1–2 % of MS patients present with TN as their inaugural symptom.

Among women with TN, a startling 18 % also carry an MS diagnosis, while 2 % of all MS sufferers develop TN. Moreover, a rare subset—about 5 % of TN‑MS patients—endure bilateral facial pain, a condition typically confined to one side.

Migraines and cluster headaches also frequently co‑occur with TN. Though one does not directly cause the other, their proximity to the trigeminal nerve suggests a tangled web of shared pathways that amplify overall discomfort.

Ironically, many anticonvulsant medications prescribed for TN can themselves provoke headaches, creating a paradox where treatment for one pain source ignites another.

The psychological toll is equally severe. Chronic, unpredictable pain often fuels depression, eroding quality of life and mental well‑being. Patients report heightened anxiety, social withdrawal, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness.

These multifaceted challenges reshape every facet of a sufferer’s existence: from the terror of diagnosis to the ongoing battle to maintain cherished activities, and the relentless erosion of optimism.

Fortunately, support networks—both online forums and in‑person groups—offer a lifeline, fostering community, shared strategies, and emotional sustenance for those navigating this complex landscape.

4 Differential Diagnosis

Pinpointing trigeminal neuralgia early can dramatically improve outcomes. Experts outline a clear roadmap to sidestep the endless maze of misdiagnoses.

First, if you’re battling tooth pain, schedule a dental visit—but make sure the dentist knows about TN. Encourage them to entertain a differential diagnosis before extracting any teeth. If they’re unfamiliar, it may be time to seek a second opinion.

Second, secure an appointment with a neurologist promptly. Neurologists specialize in nerve‑related disorders and can chart a tailored treatment plan. While waiting for a specialist, collaborate with your primary‑care physician to manage symptoms.

Third, should a pain episode force you into the emergency room, brace yourself for skeptical questions. Emergency physicians aren’t always versed in TN, so bring written notes summarizing your condition. Having a concise handout can be a lifesaver when you’re in severe agony.

Ask the ER staff whether a neurological consultant is available. Remember, standard painkillers and opioids offer only modest relief for nerve pain. The first line of emergency pharmacology often involves an IV dose of fosphenytoin (Dilantin). Knowing this ahead of time empowers you to advocate for appropriate care.

After a thorough neurological work‑up, request a written emergency care plan from your doctor. Carry it with you to any urgent‑care visit to avoid confusion and ensure swift, targeted treatment.

Finally, a self‑assessment tool created by a leading international TN researcher can guide you through a reasonably accurate self‑diagnosis. The tool is publicly available and can help you arrive at a provisional diagnosis before stepping into a clinic.

Armed with a tentative diagnosis, you can approach each medical appointment with confidence, increasing the odds of a swift, accurate identification of the condition.

3 Famous Faces

Though rare, trigeminal neuralgia has left its mark on several well‑known personalities, both past and present.

Social activist and writer Gloria Steinem has openly discussed her struggle with TN, describing attacks that leave her speechless and immobilized.

HR, the charismatic vocalist of the legendary reggae‑punk outfit Bad Brains, underwent a “bad brain” surgery to tame his TN. A GoFundMe campaign raised $16,000 for the procedure, and post‑op updates indicate a positive recovery.

Bollywood megastar Salman Khan disclosed his diagnosis in 2011, traveling to the United States for treatment. He used his platform to raise awareness, famously quipping, “If there was a choice to give this pain to my worst enemy, I would not give it. They wouldn’t be able to take it.”

In 2015, UK Member of Parliament Andrea Jenkyns faced public criticism after a speech faltered. She clarified that a bout of trigeminal neuralgia was the culprit, labeling the experience “excruciating” and “sporadic.”

2 Gaining Recognition

Advocacy groups for facial pain and TN have fought tirelessly to secure research funding and public awareness. Their efforts bore fruit on October 5, 2017, when the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 558, officially designating October 7 as National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day.

The facial‑pain community is also lobbying the World Health Organization to recognize October 7 as International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, a proposal submitted on July 1, 2017.

Media coverage of TN is gradually expanding, appearing in news stories, television programs, and short films. As visibility rises, patients discover they’re not alone, researchers gain motivation to seek cures, and clinicians become more adept at recognizing and treating the disorder, reducing future misdiagnoses.

1 The Good (Forget The Bad And The Ugly)

After wading through all the unsettling facts, there’s a silver lining: resources and strategies exist to make life with TN more manageable and hopeful.

If you or a loved one grapples with this condition, consider tapping into the following best‑practice guidelines and support networks.

Connection: Join groups such as the Facial Pain Association, TNnME, and active social‑media communities. Sharing experiences can alleviate isolation.

Self‑Care: Become your own champion. Identify personal triggers, devise a family‑wide response plan for flare‑ups, and incorporate relaxation techniques into daily routines.

Pain Management: Seek out a pain‑management specialist. These clinicians often employ innovative, multimodal approaches that complement standard treatments.

Be Your Own Advocate: Keep meticulous records of diagnoses, test results, medications, ER visits, and physician contacts. Carry this file to every appointment to ensure continuity and assertiveness.

Sometimes, Michael likes to write.

Welcome to the top 10 truly unsettling guide to Japan’s infamous Aokigahara, better known as the Suicide Forest. This dense, moss‑covered woodland at the base of Mount Fuji has earned a reputation that’s equal parts eerie and tragic, drawing visitors who are fascinated by its dark allure. Below we dive into ten disturbing facts that reveal why this forest feels like a living, breathing mystery.

Top 10 Truly Overview

From haunting ribbons that mark the paths of lost souls to scientific theories about magnetic fields that may sway the human mind, each entry uncovers a layer of the forest’s grim reputation. Whether you’re a curious traveler or a researcher, these facts paint a vivid picture of a place where nature and tragedy intertwine.

10 The Place Is Littered With Ribbons

If you step into Aokigahara, one of the first things that catches your eye is the sea of colorful ribbons dangling from tree branches. While a ribbon might seem like a harmless trinket, each piece tells a somber story: it represents a person who entered the forest with the intention of ending their life. Many visitors carry a long strip of colored ribbon, tying it to a tree as a breadcrumb in case they decide to turn back.

Following these ribbons, however, often leads to a chilling discovery. At the end of many of these bright trails lies a lifeless body, sometimes hanging from a branch, a grim reminder that the forest’s beauty can mask a very dark reality.

9 Personal Items Are Scattered Everywhere

Wandering deeper, you’ll encounter an unsettling assortment of personal belongings—mobile phones, notebooks, even clothing—left behind in small, deliberate piles. These collections suggest that multiple individuals have paused at the same spots, perhaps to contemplate their final thoughts one last time.

Among the items, you’ll also find empty beverage bottles, boxes of prescription medication, and other signs that many choose to overdose rather than hang themselves. The presence of these objects adds a stark, personal dimension to the tragedy.

Each discarded item is a tangible link to a once‑living person, anchoring their story to a specific location in the forest and amplifying the overall sense of loss.

8 The Ghosts Of The Dead “Encourage” Suicide

Japanese folklore is rich with tales of restless spirits, or yūrei, that linger after violent or sudden deaths. In Aokigahara, legends claim these ghosts actively urge visitors toward self‑destruction, feeding off the despair that already permeates the woods.

Those who have felt sudden, inexplicable anxiety or panic while walking among the trees often attribute these sensations to the lingering rage of the dead. Imagine battling personal darkness while an unseen force seems to whisper encouragement.

Similar reports of intense negative emotions have surfaced worldwide, hinting that the forest’s effect might someday be traced to geological rather than purely paranormal causes.

7 Warning Signs Are Everywhere Discouraging Suicide

Scattered throughout the forest are bright, multilingual signs that explicitly urge visitors not to take their own lives. These placards are hard to miss, placed strategically along the main trails.

Beyond the stark warnings, each sign lists phone numbers for crisis hotlines and local support organizations, offering a lifeline to anyone teetering on the brink.

While the impact of these signs is debated, their very presence underscores how seriously Japanese authorities take the problem and how they hope to deter the forest’s tragic draw.

6 Around 100 Bodies A Year Are Found In The Forest

Each year, roughly a hundred bodies are recovered from Aokigahara’s shadowy depths. Many more remain hidden for years, only discovered when volunteer groups or officials happen upon them.

Specialized teams venture into the forest, alerting police when they locate a body. An elder member often stays on site to ensure the scene isn’t disturbed. If a living person is found, they are escorted to nearby “safe houses” where they receive counseling and assistance.

These grim duties have led some volunteers to criticize tourists who treat the forest as a macabre attraction, fearing that curiosity may increase the number of tragedies.

5 Official Numbers Are No Longer Given

In an effort to curb the forest’s grim fame, Japanese officials stopped publishing official suicide statistics for Aokigahara. The omission aims to reduce the media spotlight that may unintentionally attract more people.

Even filmmakers have been drawn to the forest’s dark reputation. Gus Van Sant’s 2015 movie “Sea of Trees” centers on a protagonist confronting his suicidal thoughts amid the forest’s eerie backdrop.

By withholding numbers, authorities hope to diminish the forest’s allure as a “must‑visit” site for those seeking a grim experience, though the long‑term effectiveness remains uncertain.

4 Camping Overnight Is Frowned Upon And Discouraged

While the idea of spending a night under the canopy of Aokigahara may sound adventurous, officials strongly discourage overnight camping. Visitors are required to remain on marked trails, and any deviation is viewed as disrespectful.

Temperatures can plummet after dark, turning the forest into a chilling, potentially dangerous environment for anyone unprepared.

The primary goal of these restrictions is to prevent prolonged stays that could provide the time and solitude for someone contemplating suicide.

3 Many Believe An “Evil Energy” Resides In The Forest

Beyond ghost stories, a common belief holds that Aokigahara harbors a pure, malevolent energy. Some attribute this darkness to the sheer number of suicides that have taken place there over centuries.

Historically, the forest served a grim purpose: in the 1800s, families would bring elderly relatives to the woods to let them die “with dignity,” further staining the land with sorrow.

These layered histories fuel the perception that an intangible, evil force lingers, shaping the forest’s reputation as a place where despair thrives.

2 Eruption Of Mount Fuji

The forest’s very foundation traces back to a cataclysmic eruption of Mount Fuji in 864 AD. Lava blanketed roughly twelve square miles, later cooling to form the basaltic ground upon which dense hemlock and pine now grow.

Over time, the volcanic soil gave rise to hidden caves and cavern systems, many of which remain unexplored and are steeped in myth.

Whether this fiery birth contributed to the forest’s eerie aura is a matter of speculation, but the geological history certainly adds another mysterious layer to the area.

1 Might Magnetic Anomalies Cause The Suicides?

Recent scientific inquiries suggest that geomagnetic disturbances beneath Aokigahara could influence the minds of those already vulnerable, nudging them toward suicidal thoughts.

Researchers have correlated spikes in geomagnetic activity with higher suicide rates in multiple countries, noting that the effect appears stronger in men than women.

While the theory is still under investigation, the possibility that invisible magnetic forces play a role adds a fascinating, if unsettling, scientific dimension to the forest’s dark legend.

Cyanide, in its many deadly forms, is a lightning‑fast poison that has claimed countless victims throughout history. While most people remember the tragic mass‑suicide at Jonestown, cyanide also powered the infamous Zyklon‑B gas used in Nazi death chambers during World War II.^[1] As the war turned against the Third Reich, a grim pattern emerged: many of the very men who ordered the gas to kill millions would later swallow the same poison to avoid capture. Here are the ten most notorious Nazis who sealed their fates with cyanide capsules.

Why 10 Nazis Who Chose Cyanide

The irony is stark – the very toxin they weaponised against millions became the instrument of their own demise. Whether driven by shame, fear of prosecution, or a twisted sense of honor, each of these men reached for a tiny pill that promised a swift exit. Below, we rank them from the most senior architect of Nazi terror down to the infamous air‑war chief, each accompanied by a brief look at their dark careers and final moments.

10 Hermann Goering

Hermann Göring rose to prominence as one of Adolf Hitler’s closest confidants and the mastermind behind the Gestapo, the secret police that enforced Nazi domination. He was instrumental in the 1934 Night of the Long Knives, a brutal purge that eliminated over 85 perceived rivals and solidified Hitler’s grip on power. Göring also helped design the concentration‑camp system, where Zyklon‑B would later claim untold numbers of lives.

When the war finally collapsed, Göring stood trial at Nuremberg, convicted of war crimes and sentenced to death by hanging. He famously begged the tribunal for a bullet to the head, a request that was denied. On the night of 15 October 1946, just hours before his execution, he slipped a cyanide capsule into his mouth inside his cell. The poison acted quickly, and he was found dead, the capsule having done its grim work.^[2]

Göring’s demise epitomises the ultimate betrayal: the very chemical weapon he helped deploy to murder millions was turned against him in a final, desperate act of self‑destruction.

9 Odilo Globocnik

Odilo Globocnik, an Austrian Nazi, was a key architect of the Aktion Reinhardt extermination plan, which aimed to annihilate the Jewish population of occupied Poland. A fervent supporter of the Nazi cause, he helped recruit local collaborators and oversaw the construction of death camps where Zyklon‑B was used to exterminate countless victims.

Captured by Allied forces during a pre‑dawn raid on 31 May 1945, Globocnik faced the prospect of standing trial for his crimes. Rather than endure that fate, he placed a cyanide capsule under his tongue and held it there for several hours before finally crushing it at roughly 11:25 a.m. The poison took effect within minutes, ending his life in a bleak, quiet bunker.^[3]

His final act underscores the chilling consistency: those who orchestrated the mass murder of millions often chose the same lethal chemical they had wielded as a weapon of genocide.

8 Joseph Goebbels’s Children

On 1 May 1945, as Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, Joseph Goebbels – Hitler’s ruthless propaganda minister – retreated to the Führerbunker with his six young children. Refusing to imagine a future for them under Allied rule, Goebbels ordered their deaths. Initially, a dentist‑turned‑Nazi doctor, Helmut Kunz, balked at the task, leaving the grim responsibility to another physician, Ludwig Stumpfegger.

Stumpfegger rendered the children unconscious and placed a half‑centimetre cyanide capsule between each of their teeth, crushing the tablets to ensure rapid death. The children died within minutes, their brief lives extinguished by the very poison that had been used to murder millions in gas chambers.^[4]

The tragedy of the Goebbels children remains a haunting reminder that the cruelty of the Nazi regime extended even to its own families, sealing the fate of the next generation with cyanide.

7 Richard Glucks

Richard Glucks began his career as a regular soldier before the Nazi Party’s rise, eventually becoming a concentration‑camp inspector. In that role he decided who would live and who would be sent to the gas chambers, even collaborating with Heinrich Himmler on the grotesque plan to spin victims’ hair into yarn for German troops.

After surviving a severe Allied bombing, Glucks was hospitalized and, facing the inevitable reckoning for his crimes, swallowed a cyanide capsule. Some historians speculate that he may have been assassinated by Jewish resistance fighters, but the prevailing account holds that he chose the poison himself to escape justice.

Glucks’ fate illustrates the pattern of self‑inflicted death that many high‑ranking Nazis embraced when the Allied tide turned irreversibly against them.

6 Hans‑Georg von Friedeburg

Admiral Hans‑Georg von Friedeburg commanded the Kriegsmarine’s U‑boat fleet and later served as the chief of the German navy. Unlike many of his peers, he was not directly implicated in the Holocaust, but he played a pivotal role in negotiating Germany’s surrender to the Allies in May 1945.

Nonetheless, rumors that he would be tried for war crimes—simply because of his high rank—loomed large. On 23 May 1945, fearing the prospect of a post‑war tribunal, von Friedeburg ingested a cyanide capsule, ending his life in a quiet, self‑administered death.

His suicide underscores that even those peripheral to the regime’s most heinous policies sometimes opted for cyanide when the war’s outcome became inevitable.

5 Martin Bormann

Martin Bormann, the shadowy head of the Nazi Party Chancellery, operated as Adolf Hitler’s private secretary and wielded immense influence over the regime’s inner workings. He was instrumental in the creation of many concentration camps and helped orchestrate the forced‑labour system that fed the German war machine.

After the war, Bormann vanished, prompting rumors that he had escaped to South America. It wasn’t until 1998 that DNA testing confirmed his remains, discovered alongside those of Ludwig Stumpfegger, the doctor who killed the Goebbels children. Both men had died on 2 May 1945 after crushing cyanide capsules in their mouths.^[7]

Bormann’s post‑war disappearance and eventual identification highlight how the very poison that powered the gas chambers also sealed the fates of those who orchestrated the Holocaust.

4 Robert Ritter von Greim

Robert Ritter von Greim rose through the Luftwaffe ranks to become a field marshal, overseeing aerial campaigns such as the Battle of Britain and the invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa). He was among the most senior air‑force officers, credited with numerous strategic victories for the Third Reich.

Captured by American troops on 8 May 1945 in Austria, von Greim faced the prospect of a war‑crime trial. On 24 May 1945, while in custody at Salzburg, he crushed a cyanide capsule in his mouth, ending his life within minutes.^[8]

His suicide reflects the broader pattern of high‑ranking Nazis preferring a swift cyanide death over the humiliation of a public trial.

3 Heinrich Himmler

Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the SS and chief overseer of the Gestapo, was a central figure in planning and executing the Holocaust. Joining the Nazi Party in 1923, he swiftly rose to become one of its most powerful men, responsible for the creation of the concentration‑camp system that employed Zyklon‑B to murder millions.

In 1943, Himmler briefly fell out of favour and was expelled from the party, yet he remained a key player in the regime’s terror apparatus. As the war collapsed, he attempted to flee but was captured by Allied forces. On 23 May 1945, to avoid a trial at Nuremberg, he swallowed a cyanide capsule, dying within moments of ingestion.^[9]

Himmler’s self‑inflicted death epitomises the ultimate irony – the man who oversaw the systematic use of cyanide on millions chose the same poison to escape justice.

2 Eva Braun

Eva Braun, Adolf Hitler’s long‑time companion and eventual wife, lived in the shadows of the Nazi regime, largely removed from direct political power but intimately tied to its leader. She attempted suicide twice during the final days in the bunker, reflecting her deep despair and isolation.

When the Soviet army closed in on Berlin, Braun entered the Führerbunker with Hitler. Together they ingested cyanide capsules hidden in glass vials, sealing their fate as the Third Reich crumbled around them. Braun’s death on 30 April 1945 marked the end of a personal partnership that had endured the war’s entire horror.^[10]

Her tragic end underscores how even those peripheral to the Nazi hierarchy chose cyanide as the final, hopeless escape.

1 Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler, the architect of the Holocaust, oversaw the deployment of Zyklon‑B in gas chambers that murdered millions. While most historical accounts cite a self‑inflicted gunshot as the cause of his death on 30 April 1945, some Soviet reports claim he also swallowed a cyanide capsule, adding a second layer of lethal certainty.

In 1968, a Soviet intelligence officer published a book asserting that Soviet scientists had recovered Hitler’s body, performed an autopsy, and detected cyanide poisoning alongside the bullet wound. Whether or not the cyanide was truly present remains debated, but the possibility aligns with the pattern of other Nazi leaders who chose the poison as their final weapon.^[11]

Whether fact or legend, Hitler’s alleged use of cyanide adds a chilling footnote to a regime that weaponised the toxin on a massive scale, and it serves as a fitting, if macabre, conclusion to the list of 10 Nazis who chose cyanide to end their lives.

Suicide ranks as the 13th leading cause of death worldwide and holds the grim third‑place spot among 10‑24‑year‑olds in many nations. Each year roughly 815,000 individuals end their lives, which translates to one death every 40 seconds. Yet, among those who attempt this final act, a handful are remarkably fortunate enough to be given a second chance. This article spotlights ten of the most notorious locations where people have survived suicide attempts, pairing each survivor’s story with stark statistics for the site. Keep in mind that details vary according to press reports and the survivors’ own accounts.

Why These 10 Extremely Lucky Survivors Inspire Hope

10 Connie Mercure

Location: Verrazano‑Narrows Bridge (Estimated over 30 Suicides)

In 1995, after a painful breakup, 29‑year‑old Connie Mercure of Brooklyn leapt from the bridge, plunging more than 200 feet into the cold waters of Lower New York Bay. Rescue crews pulled her from the icy water almost immediately. She emerged with a broken leg, severe internal bleeding and hypothermia, yet managed to survive. Her survival was credited to the swift response of the rescue team and her own will to live.

9 Matthew Sicoli

Location: Throgs Neck Bridge (Estimated over 40 Suicides)

In 2001, 26‑year‑old Matthew Sicoli, reeling from a fight with his girlfriend and job troubles, walked onto the pedestrian walkway of the Throgs Neck Bridge and, after being spotted kneeling, vaulted over a railing and vanished. Police launched an immediate rescue operation and retrieved him in under ten minutes. He survived the 140‑foot plunge, suffering only bruises to his ribs, stomach and face, despite hitting the East River at an estimated 64 mph. Tragically, his 51‑year‑old mother had taken her own life by jumping from the Whitestone Bridge five years earlier.

8 Hanns Jones

Location: Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Over 120 Suicides)

In May 2001, 35‑year‑old artist and inventor Hanns Jones, overwhelmed by business pressures, heavy drinking and a fierce argument with his wife, drove his pickup to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and jumped. He later recalled the moment as “You just accelerate and accelerate so fast and then it stops, but when you stop you don’t feel like you hit water, you feel like you hit concrete.” The impact stripped his clothing, fractured multiple ribs, caused internal bleeding and a collapsed lung. Remarkably, Jones managed to swim to a nearby rock formation, where he clung naked until rescuers arrived. He spent several weeks in hospital but today says he is “fine and happy,” often wondering why fate spared him while countless others perished.

7 Did Bélizaire

Location: Jacques Cartier Bridge (Over 140 Suicides)

Did Bélizaire’s gambling addiction began at 17, and by 2003, at age 36, another night of losses at the Casino de Montréal left him in a deep hole. He called his girlfriend, asked for her blessing, then ended the call without revealing his plan. He leapt from the Jacques Cartier Bridge into the St. Lawrence River and survived, but his survival instincts overrode any attempt to drown. The fall rendered him paraplegic, taking the use of his legs. Bélizaire, once a 6‑foot‑7 athlete, now measures 3‑foot‑3 in a wheelchair. He now shares his story widely, warning youth about the dangers of compulsive gambling.

6 Michelle

Location: Brooklyn Bridge (Estimated suicides are in the hundreds)

In June 2008, a 34‑year‑old woman known only as “Michelle” stepped onto the pedestrian walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, intent on ending her life. After a ten‑story drop into the East River, witnesses called 911, and rescuers quickly pulled her from the frigid water. Paramedics were astonished that she emerged without broken bones and with only minimal scratches. She was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors treated her for water in the lungs.

5 Angela Schumann

Location: Humber Bridge (Over 200 Suicides)

In the autumn of 2005, 28‑year‑old Angela Schumann, embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her ex‑husband Julio, penned several letters, one of which expressed a desperate desire to be with her daughter forever, away from Julio’s reach. Three days before her daughter’s second birthday, she leapt from the Humber Bridge, clutching her child the entire way down. The girl was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, found hypothermic, but recovered and returned home five days later. Angela spent nearly two months in hospital, treating lower‑body fractures. A faded inscription on her abdomen read “Cause of death Julio.” Both mother and daughter are among only five known survivors of a fall from the Humber Bridge.

4 John Dittmann

Location: Aurora Bridge (Over 220 Suicides)

John Dittmann, plagued by daily tranquilizer use and alcohol to offset the medication, often stared at Seattle’s Aurora Bridge from his Wallingford halfway house. In 1979, at age 22, he decided to end his life by leaping off the bridge. Mid‑fall, he experienced a sudden change of heart, thrust his arms back, and fought to keep his body from pitching forward, striving to keep his feet extended. He struck Lake Union at roughly 70 mph, cracking his back and injuring his lungs, yet managed to swim weakly to shore. Dittmann is one of roughly thirty individuals who have survived a jump from this iconic bridge.

3 Sarah Henley

Location: Clifton Bridge (Over 500 Suicides)

Over a century ago, 22‑year‑old Sarah Henley received a heartbreaking breakup letter from her fiancé. In despair, she hurried to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, intent on ending her life. That morning, a gentle wind lifted her skirt, effectively acting as a parachute and slowing her descent while also preventing a direct plunge into the water. She survived, later living a full life until her death in 1948, adding 62 years to what could have been a tragic end. Her extraordinary luck has become legend and is recorded in the official history of the suspension bridge.

2 Martin Hinchcliffe

Location: Beachy Head (Over 500 Suicides known)

In June 1995, 15‑year‑old Martin Hinchcliffe, after a heated argument with his girlfriend’s parents, wrote a note to his mother stating his intent to kill himself and trekked to the Sugar Lump cliff at Beachy Head. He leapt 35 feet, only to be caught by extending rocks, which concealed him within a deep crevasse. He clung there for 72 hours, surviving on the hope that someone would hear his cries. Eventually, a passerby on the beach below heard his muffled calls; coastguard, police and firefighters rescued him. He emerged with a broken leg and several cracked ribs, recounting that he even sucked on rocks to avoid dehydration during his ordeal.

1 Kevin Hines

Location: Golden Gate Bridge (Over 1500 Suicides)

At 19, Kevin Hines grappled with bipolar disorder until he decided to end his life in 2000. After attending his first class, he boarded a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge, crying the entire way. He stood at his chosen spot for 40 minutes, receiving no concern from passersby. When a tourist asked to take a photo, Hines interpreted it as indifference and snapped a picture before leaping. Mid‑fall, he realized his mistake, shouting “God save me,” and instinctively tried to orient himself head‑first and feet‑first. He plunged 40 feet underwater, survived, but endured arduous physical rehabilitation. Hines says managing his bipolar disorder remains the greater challenge. He now follows a strict schedule, combining medication and therapy, and works with mental‑health organizations and suicide‑prevention hotlines.

These ten stories remind us that even in the darkest moments, chance, swift rescue, and personal resolve can turn tragedy into a second chance. By sharing their experiences, we hope to shine a light on mental‑health resources and encourage anyone struggling to seek help.