Submitted by Courtney A. Walsh, Jan 23, 2008 09:04

Whether an accidental overdose, pneumonia-induced cardiac arrest or intentional suicide...it is a tragedy any way you look at it. What makes someone who seems to have it all drown themselves in substances to avoid their agony? Is it the pressure of the spotlight? Society in general? So many of us have been depressed, withdrawn and felt alone. We need to communicate with each other more, Heath is just one more big example of that. We need to ask for the help we need and get it. If therapy, religion or rehab don't work then keep trying people. Dying at 28 is just so wrong no matter what the cause or contributing factors. I should know---I tried to check out about four years ago. Luckily for me---the Grim Reaper's dance card was full that day. Then I wrote a memoir, Lipstick and Thongs in the Loony Bin to try and instill others with hope. I wish Heath could've read it. Again---maybe it was an accident---maybe it was pneumonia...but there were so many warning signs that he was unhappy...he'd been to rehab like so many other young stars recently, he'd experienced the breakup of his marriage and now his toddler daughter is fatherless forever. Blessings and peace to him and his loved ones. lipstickandthongbookdotcom

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