Goodbye cruel world! (7 bizarre and/or ironic deaths)

People die all the time.  It’s an unfortunate but unavoidable part of being alive.  Some people, however, have more notable deaths than others.  Last year I listed a few deaths that occurred as a result of stupidity, but there are also those where just strange and/or ironic.  Like the woman who never wore a seatbelt when she drove until a passenger in her car told her to buckle up.  When she turned to put it on, she missed a curve and drove off a ridge.

What she should have done instead

When people have a certain occupation or live their lives a particular way, and then die in a way that mirrors or contradicts those, it can be funny.  I don’t wish to make fun of the deceased, but… well, yes I do.  How can you not in the following situations?  (Except for the woman who was murdered.  Interesting situation, but hard to laugh at.)

 Jim Fixx

 Jim was a health-nut guru.  He wrote a book in 1977 called “The Complete Book of Running” which was a best seller.  He made a lot of money telling people that running could greatly extend your lifetime.  He was a member of Mensa and wrote a book of puzzles for geniuses, which means was also probably pretentious.

Afterword by the Grim Reaper

One day when he got home after his daily run, he had a heart attack and died.  An autopsy revealed he had coronary arteries 95%, 85%, and 50% blocked. 

Clement Vallandigham 

As a lawyer in the 19th century, Vallandigham had made quite a name and fortune for himself.  He was also politically active and made news for opposing slavery while at the same time calling for the removal of Abraham Lincoln as president.  In 1877, he took the case of a man on trial for an alleged murder that occurred during a barroom brawl.  He argued that the deceased accidentally shot himself during the melee and set out to prove it was possible.  It was very possible.  During his reenactment, he shot himself in the head and died.  

Can you name another lawyer who would die for his client? Didn't think so.

While that sucks for Vallanigham, it was golden for his client.  The jury decided that the deceased very well could have shot himself and acquitted the accused.

Myra Davis 

Myra was a body double for Janet Leigh in the movie Psycho.  She was the one standing in the shower in the scene where caretaker/handyman Norman Bates murdered Leigh’s character.  It’s quite a famous scene to be a part of. 

Nice hair

In 1988, she was found dead in her apartment.  After the investigation, it was found that she was murdered by a 31-year-old certifiably insane caretaker/handyman.  

Jerome Moody 

In 1985, the New Orleans recreation department lifeguards threw themselves a party.  You see, they had their first season go by without a single drowning incident.  While quite an accomplishment, they apparently let all the rules go bye-bye during the party.

Unfortunately not on duty at the time

When the party ended, 31-year-old lifeguard Jerome Moody was found dead at the bottom of the pool from drowning.  Not one of the over 100 lifeguards at the party noticed it happen. 

Jerome Rodale 

Another Jerome, another ironic death.  Jerome Rondale was one of the first faces of the organic food movement.  He thought sugar and caffeine were not part of clean living, so no Starbucks for him.  He was also an advocate for the organic lifestyle saying lead to a much longer life. (You can see where this is going)  He went on the Dick Cavett radio show and told Cavett that “I’m going to live to be 100, unless I’m run down by some sugar-crazed taxi driver.” 

Didn't live to 100

Right after the interview ended, Rondale collapsed and died of a heart attack.  He was 72.  On a sidenote: don’t name your kid Jerome.

Michael Anderson 

In 1983, Anderson was convicted of murder and sentenced to death by electrocution.  He appealed the jury’s decision and the sentence was changed to life in prison.  Shortly after, he was having problems with his television in his cell. 

Not the chair that the jury had in mind

 While sitting on the metal toilet, he bit into a live wire attempting to fix the TV.  The resulting shock electrocuted him to death.

Bobby Leach 

As a world-famous daredevil in the early 1900’s, Leach did a lot of crazy things including going over Niagara Falls.  Even in his sixties, he was still trying to do crazy things.  That kind of commitment to trying to kill yourself would usually lead to success after a while.  Not for Leach. 

Really, it floats

He died in 1926 from gangrene and having to have his leg amputated.  Whet crazy stunt was he doing, you ask?  None, unless you consider clumsiness a stunt, in which case give me a few beers and call Hollywood.  Anyways, Leach slipped on an orange peel.

 

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