Couple commits suicide after writing obituaries, letters

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A local columnist and her businessman husband committed suicide on New Year’s Day after sending out their obituary, letters to friends and a newspaper column supporting “death with dignity,” authorities said.

The obituary stated that Ethan and Helen Levine, both suffering from serious illness, died together “through united self-deliverance,” according to the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle of Cheyenne and the Casper Star-Tribune, which received copies.

The bodies were found Tuesday by Laramie County sheriff’s deputies, who went to check on the couple after the obituary and letters were delivered. Laramie County Coroner Bill Ryan said Wednesday that the Levines appear to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Helen Levine, 73, had been a columnist for both newspapers and was formerly public information officer for the state health department. Her husband, Ethan Levine, 50, had been manager of Frontier Mall and served on the Tribune-Eagle editorial board.

The final column Helen Levine wrote for the Casper Star-Tribune reminded readers of her support for “death with dignity,” the newspaper said. She also wrote that the couple had “experienced insults” related to their jobs, and she criticized President Bush for the war in Iraq and other things.

The newspaper quoted from the submission in a news story but does not plan to publish the column, which it said came in the mail Tuesday.

In their letter to friends, the Levines described their health problems — Ethan Levine had multiple sclerosis and diabetes and his wife had heart disease. Their letter called MS “a great age equalizer” that brought chronic fatigue and pain.

“We know what we feel and why we have made this choice,” the letter said. “We also know that our decision may not be met with the same understanding by you. All we can ask is for you to respect our choice and understand this was something we both felt so strong about.”

Jim Angell, director of the Wyoming Press Association, said the two “were both very, very smart debaters. If you ever got on the opposite side of a political issue, they’d talk until they wore you down.”

Gov. Dale Freudenthal had appointed Helen Levine to the Wyoming Senior Services Board. In a statement, Freudenthal said, “I have known Ethan and Helen both for years and years and considered them friends for a long time.”