The "D.C. Madam," Deborah Jeane Palfrey, facing an almost certain jail term, hanged herself last week. She left behind two suicide notes, which have been published by The Washington Post. You can see them in their entirety here.They are full of bitterness. Even her attempts to be nice come off as deeply angry. Here's part of the one to her sister: "I am very happy to have seen for myself the special person you have become. I envy your happy-go-lucky attitude and the bounty of friends which constantly have surrounded you throughout your life. Fortunate, fortunate you!"
Slate sums up the blogosphere's reactions to the suicide, and so far the posts have fallen into two main categories: conspiracy theories and sympathy for Palfrey.
But now that these notes are out, it's hard not to feel most sorry for her mother and sister. Palfrey's suicide saved her from jail, but we imagine it will be hard for her family to ever feel "fortunate, fortunate" again.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Well, I think the Slate article points out one thing - how the men who were Palfrey's high profile customers - namely GOP Sen. David Vitter, to name one - suffer no consequences. They get to do their 'come to Jesus' moment in front of the press and all is forgiven. And yet the courts were going after Palfrey like she was a serial killer.
And yet the Republicans gave Vitter - who is married - a pass on his sexcapades and gave him a standing ovation at a GOP fundraiser shortly after his scandal broke.
David S. at 6:57PM on May 5th 2008
2. People who commit suicide are either mentally ill or cowardly to the point that they're not worth caring about anymore. If you're willing to take your own life as opposed to facing the consequences for your actions, you are the ultimate failure of humanity.
Strados at 10:14PM on May 5th 2008
3. No question that our society still treats women like chattel. Every single man should be prosecuted who was a client. But she was also exploiting these other women for personal gain. Studies show a high percentage of prostitutes were abused as children.
It is a very sick crime, but men do not want to face the reality of prostitution, it suits their self interest to pretend there is no real victim.
cdnbirch at 12:14AM on May 6th 2008
4. Anyone who really BELIEVES this was a suicide
has an IQ minus six.
Apparently I gave you to much credit Ada.
She had to many names and could have bought her way out. November is around the corner, and they needed to get rid of her.
This was not suicide. I don't care what the media or AOL. or any one else claims......
Rosalie at 2:29AM on May 6th 2008
5. Anyone who really BELIEVES this was a suicide
has an IQ minus six.
Apparently I gave you to much credit Ada.
She had to many names and could have bought her way out. November is around the corner, and they needed to get rid of her.
This was not suicide. I don't care what the media or AOL. or any one else claims......
Rosalie at 2:30AM on May 6th 2008
6. David S., brava. Excellent point. You should repost it a few times.
Strados, if someone can't handle their suffering, let them go. Granted it's TERRIBLE for their family. Absolutely horrid for them, and that's sad.
At the same time, if you feel your life is not worth living, then it's your own decision to make. No one can know the kind of pain or turmoil she felt. "Ultimate failure of humanity?" Oh puh-lease, that's so dramatic.
Okay so let's say she is mentally ill, has a devastating defecit of the needed neurotransmitters, which is quite possible considering her behavior...then that takes care of that. That's what mentally ill oft consists of, a lack of the proper brain chemicals, some of which are required to be able to sustain life.
Recently I realized something about this cliche:
"God can't give you anything you can't handle", obviously this is not true. If it were, people would not off themselves. Not that it's not a hopeful and positive statement, but when you get right down to it, it's not always true.
I'm not saying it's right what she did, nor am I saying it's wrong.
IndeedSir at 5:56AM on May 6th 2008
7. http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
PROFESSOR X at 9:40AM on May 6th 2008
8.
Strados, my uncle commited suicide. Was he mentally ill? Was he weak? Did he cause undo hardship on his family?
No, no, no. My uncle was dying of a terminal cancer. He could have waited for his disease to ravage his body completely, or BANG .45 to the brain. He chose the only way he could find to end his suffering at a managable stage.
Right or wrong, I miss him.
mac at 9:58AM on May 6th 2008
9. mac--
Praying for your uncle.
Try and take heart and remember the good times.
No one knows all of the whats and whys and hows that go into a person's decision in the very moment of suicide.
God is merciful and loving and forgiving.
Also, I had meant to wish you happy b-day before now, but my past few days have been jam-packed.
Ah, such is always the case when returning from a nice getaway at Myrtle Beach, eh?
Peace.
Devon at 12:58AM on May 7th 2008