Be careful in presuming guilt; Suicide happens for many reasons, experts say

By ED RONCO, Tribune Staff Writer

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 15, 2009 at 4:28 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 15, 2009 at 6:44 PM EST

The suicide of someone accused of a crime is not always an admission of guilt, experts say.

Ophthalmologist Philip Gabriele and his wife, Marcella, were found dead Monday inside the Gabriele Eye Institute in Elkhart.

Both had been indicted last week on federal fraud and conspiracy charges and were to turn themselves in on Monday.

Police said one of the deaths is clearly suicide but that it was too early to determine whether the other was, too.

As news spread, so did comments on news outlet Web sites from readers and viewers saying the shooting deaths prove the Gabrieles were guilty on the federal charges.

But that’s not always the case, said psychologist Lanny Berman, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based American Association of Suicidology.

“We don’t know and you don’t know and your readers don’t know whether (the deaths) occurred because they were guilty and in effect didn’t want to face the music, or because of what already is apparent, which is a tremendous loss of face and the implication of guilt,” Berman said. “It’s not evidence of anything other than they decided not to face whatever they were going to have to face.”

No statistical evidence has been assembled on people who commit suicide when accused of a crime, Berman said, but there have been cases of people who cannot tolerate losing a societal status.

“It has everything to do with the psychological sense that they will no longer be viewed by others as having the respect and importance and value that they presumed they had prior to this public disclosure of potential wrongdoing,” he said. “We have any number of case examples, sometimes tied to actual wrongdoing, and sometimes not.”

What’s most important, said Madison Center licensed clinical social worker Ruth Yarger, is that those at risk understand other choices exist.

“Their vision of options narrows,” she said. “They need to know there is help out there.”

When someone commits suicide, those left behind are often left looking for rationale they might not find, she said.

“One of the reasons we don’t understand is because we still think of options,” she said. “But that person who is committing suicide does not see those options.”

Staff writer Ed Ronco:
eronco@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6353

FOR HELP

  • In any dire emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.

  • If you’re feeling suicidal, share your feelings. Tell someone you’re considering suicide.

  • Use crisis hot lines. Madison Center can be reached toll-free at (877) 234-0061, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

  • If you suspect a friend or relative might be suicidal, it’s OK to ask them if they’re thinking of suicide. If they are, help them find treatment or emergency assistance. Do not try to treat their symptoms yourself.

  • Tips for dealing with suicide are available through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Web site: www.afsp.org.

  • Read a list of warning signs at www.suicidology.org.

    Sources: Ruth Yarger, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology

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