The Bridgend Suicides

**Rankenstein** · 02-21-2008, 02:58 AM

This may have come to your attention in your corner of the world, but there is a strange, puzzling chain of events going on in Bridgend, a small Welsh town.

Put baldly, in the Bridgend area since the beginning of 2007, 17 people under the age of 27 have committed suicide, many by hanging themselves. That's more than one a month.

From The Times:
"Dale Crole, 18, hanged himself in a derelict warehouse in neighbouring Porthcrawl on January 5 2007. His friend David Dilling, 19, hanged himself on February 18. Thomas Davies, 20, who knew both of them, hanged himself in a park a week later. Zachary Barnes, 17, who hanged himself on August 11, is also believed to have been known to other victims. In December Liam Clarke, a friend of Crole, was found hanged in a park. Gareth Morgan, 27, who knew Clarke, died on January 5 this year. Natasha Randall, 17, posted a tribute message to Clarke on her Bebo page two days before she hanged herself on January 17. On February 13 Kelly Stephenson was found hanged a few hours after her cousin Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, was declared dead following a suspected suicide. The two cousins were said to be “very close” and on one of Ms Stephenson’s Bebo pages there were tributes to Clarke, Randall and Barnes. Jenna Parry, 16, found hanged on the morning of 19 February, was thought to be a close friend of at least one other victim."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle3399528.ece

There's something really strange going on there. I don't know what it is, but I find it very disturbing.

jdspc · 02-21-2008, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Suicide rates among men in Wales are currently the highest in the UK. The Welsh Assembly wants a 10 per cent reduction in suicides by 2012.

just 10?

**South** · 02-21-2008, 07:51 AM

Sounds cult-ish. I would think hanging is a pretty bad way to die. There must be a common influence...a need to die in that particular fashion.

**Rankenstein** · 02-21-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by South

Sounds cult-ish. I would think hanging is a pretty bad way to die. There must be a common influence...a need to die in that particular fashion.

Exactly my thoughts... not to linger on detail but hanging is pretty outlandish, I mean pills or slitting your wrists or the high jump would seem infinitely preferable to me if I was looking for a way out. It's just that this was noted and commented on last autumn... and it continues, so the latest have had an element of WTF, another one! and another one! And Bridgend in the past has had similar runs, it half reminds me of Stephen King's town of Derry, Maine.

It is a difficult subject because I don't want to sensationalise or trivialise it, or seem unfeeling, but it is becoming X Files-territory.

Atom · 02-21-2008, 08:10 AM

I think certain kids these days hold their breath or something, or somehow make themselves just about pass out to get some sort of a euphoric thrill, I hear. Or maybe they actually do pass out, I forget. I've never tried it. But this here, this is the work of satan.

**Rankenstein** · 02-21-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atom

I think certain kids these days hold their breath or something, or somehow make themselves just about pass out to get some sort of a euphoric thrill, I hear. Or maybe they actually do pass out, I forget. I've never tried it. But this here, this is the work of satan.

I think that's more of a sex thing, Atom. I believe that's how Michael Hutchence of INXS died.

I don't believe in Satan or God for that matter, but funnily enough, just after my last post I went to make a cup of coffee and seriously wondered whether some sort of exorcism might help. Humans are very suggestible and we all know the mind can play strange tricks - it might help, that's all I'm saying. I'd get someone to do an exorcism just to cover all the bases, psychological or otherwise.

kristeejo · 02-21-2008, 08:18 AM

how odd. suicide by infection?

Atom · 02-21-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rankenstein

I think that's more of a sex thing, Atom. I believe that's how Michael Hutchence of INXS died. ...

Ok right, I remember now. That wouldn't be related then probably.

StrongInTheArm · 02-21-2008, 08:30 AM

'Out breaks' of this nature are not unheard of throughout the world. It seems to be almost a contagious thing, it feeds upon itself. It almost seems as if the talking/reporting itself contributes to others wanting to do the same.

Although I recall a drug given to children being reported last year or the year before that was said to have a terrible side-effect, namely to cause depression leading to feelings of a suicidal nature. Who is to say some chemical isn't responsible, or at least contributing to the problem.

Hanging yourself is a dumb way to call for help, very few survive it, unlike overdoses or even cutting your wrists. If you want help ask someone that can help you!