A Beautiful Suicide

[AcadieLibre]

The Most Beautiful Suicide:

"On May 1, 1947, Evelyn McHale leapt to her death from the observation deck of the Empire State Building. Photographer Robert Wiles took a photo of McHale a few minutes after her death."

I recall seeing this photo years ago and and it still such a calm image considering the violent death that caused it. It would be thought as gruesome but there is an eerie calmness to this tragic photo of death. Also there is a link in the article to the original Life Magazine.

Usually I caution but this photo I can't, it is just something that should be seen to understand sometimes no matter how tragic the death it still makes for a beautiful photo in the darkest of ways.


The most beautiful suicide (http://www.kottke.org/08/07/the-most-beautiful-suicide)

[casil403]

Wow...this is something. She looks so at peace...amazing.
Thanks for that AL.

It brought up memories of "The Falling Man" from 9/11. I watched that show on PBS.
This might be disturbing to some because it shows a man in mid fall to to his death for those who've not seen it but here is the article:
REFLECTIONS ON THE FALLING MAN OF 9/11 (http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2009/09/11/reflections-on-the-falling-man-of-9-11)

[crystalb]

She looks like a untouched flower surrounded by destruction....

[JAS_Photo]

She is dressed and made up fashionably, almost like a movie star. Even wearing stockings.
All of it preserved for ever on film.

[syndony]

Yup, every year around this time. People are once again searching for 9/11 pictures of people jumping from the Twin Towers before those towers collapsed. The Internet seems divided into two types of people: those who want to see those 9/11 photos or videos of people jumping to their deaths, and those who think the fascination with that stuff is morbid and creepy. You're probably thinking about the falling man right now. That photo was taken by Richard Drew on Sept 11, 2001, and it depicts an unidentified man falling to his death as the office behind him burns. Scary stuff, dude.

[AcadieLibre]

Yup, every year around this time. People are once again searching for 9/11 pictures of people jumping from the Twin Towers before those towers collapsed. The Internet seems divided into two types of people: those who want to see those 9/11 photos or videos of people jumping to their deaths, and those who think the fascination with that stuff is morbid and creepy. You're probably thinking about the falling man right now. That photo was taken by Richard Drew on Sept 11, 2001, and it depicts an unidentified man falling to his death as the office behind him burns. Scary stuff, dude.

Not what this photo is about. Sorry but I see no relevance in that instance in comparison to a Beautiful Elegant Suicide.

[JAS_Photo]

I don't think it's the macabre that attracts a person to the beautiful suicide but the sense of a 'sleeping beauty'. It's as if you could shake her shoulder and she would wake up and all would be well.

[casil403]

I think the reference here is to the link I posted to the falling man in my reply. All I said was that it reminded me of that particular photo. I have no fascination with anything macabre or finding 911 pics on the net. It simply reminded me of a show I saw on NOVA a few years ago on PBS where they were trying to find out who it was...it was a great show I might add and very tastefully done.

I like this photo...she sounds like a troubled girl who looks finally at peace. I might also add I am in no way saying suicide is pretty or peaceful.