US military aide found dead in Cyprus

[Greymatters]

An unusual story: links here as part of the fair dealings protion of the copyright act.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/07/ap_mooney_070702/
Although most US released stories appear to merely say the case is 'being investiated', a couple of papers have implied it was suicide.
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2730431.ece (as an example)
In the Victoria Times-Colonist, the expert is cited as Marios Matsakis, forensic pathologist who completed the post-mortem.

Is it just me or is it very strange that a person would commit suicide by cutting their own throat?  To me its another example of incompetence.

 

[armyvern]

An unusual story: links here as part of the fair dealings protion of the copyright act.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/07/ap_mooney_070702/
Although most US released stories appear to merely say the case is 'being investiated', a couple of papers have implied it was suicide.
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2730431.ece (as an example)
In the Victoria Times-Colonist, the expert is cited as Marios Matsakis, forensic pathologist who completed the post-mortem.

Is it just me or is it very strange that a person would commit suicide by cutting their own throat?  To me its another example of incompetence.

Well nothing in either story mentions that he cut his own throat. There is mention in one article however that there was a cut on the neck. This could also imply a puncture wound to the carotid artery, not an unheard of means for the comission of suicide.

Lefka also happens to be a very isolated location in Cyprus, not an unusual choice for one wanting to commit this act unhindered.

I see no conspiracy here, nor incompetence. I just see a person who had his mind on a task, and who chose his location precisely because of what he was about to set out and do.

Truly a tragic event, but certainly not a conspiracy.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Maybe he pissed off the mob.

 

[Greymatters]

Sorry, it is here in this version:

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=9da4cc38-e66e-4e21-b600-f7888f5b8f3c
Victoria-Times Colonist from Reuters (03 Jul 07):
"NICOSIA -- The U.S. military attache in Cyprus was found dead with his throat slit yesterday in a remote mountainous region of the Mediterranean island in what authorities are treating as a suicide.  The body of Lt.-Col. Thomas Mooney, 45, was found near his locked car northwest of the capital, Nicosia, four days after he went missing.  "There is no foul play involved," forensic pathologist Marios Matsakis, who carried out a post-mortem, said.  In Washington, the U.S. State Department said there was nothing to suggest Mooney's death was an act of terrorism."

Not saying there is a conspiracy, I just find it odd that a person would try to stab themselves in the throat as a means of suicide, as implied by the article.  Perhaps I'm just being pessimistic? 

 

[Journeyman]

Sorry, it is here in this version:

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=9da4cc38-e66e-4e21-b600-f7888f5b8f3c
Victoria-Times Colonist from Reuters (03 Jul 07):
"NICOSIA -- The U.S. military attache in Cyprus was found dead with his throat slit yesterday in a remote mountainous region of the Mediterranean island in what authorities are treating as a suicide.  The body of Lt.-Col. Thomas Mooney, 45, was found near his locked car northwest of the capital, Nicosia, four days after he went missing.  "There is no foul play involved," forensic pathologist Marios Matsakis, who carried out a post-mortem, said.  In Washington, the U.S. State Department said there was nothing to suggest Mooney's death was an act of terrorism."

Not saying there is a conspiracy, I just find it odd that a person would try to stab themselves in the throat as a means of suicide, as implied by the article.  Perhaps I'm just being pessimistic? 

Let's see, your first article states the cause is under investigation, but they've ruled out "terrorism."

The second states "He had a wound in the neck which is compatible with self-infliction."

You've now found a third article stating (possibly for dramatic effect) "throat slit," but also "suicide," and "no foul play involved."

Since only one article, with your bold highlight, went as far as saying his throat was "slit," what are you determined to believe?

Personally, I figure a puncture wound severing the carotid artery would be a pretty quick, therefore effective, way to bleed out -- that would make it a good form of suicide, I'd imagine. Because the brain is quickly starved of oxygen, it becomes painless quicker than some other means. And because a severed carotid makes 'changing ones' mind' somewhat difficult, it has the same inescapable attraction as suicide by jumping or stepping in front of a train.

Mind you, I'm not an expert; I've never committed suicide (although I have read some obituaries with pleasure). YMMV.

 

[chanman]

Well, it's not an unheard-of method

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigai

Ritual suicide for women in feudal Japan (again, for samurai caste) involved slitting one's throat as well.  It's just that there are so many easier or less messy ways for suicide.

 

[Greymatters]

Let's see, your first article states the cause is under investigation, but they've ruled out "terrorism."
The second states "He had a wound in the neck which is compatible with self-infliction."
You've now found a third article stating (possibly for dramatic effect) "throat slit," but also "suicide," and "no foul play involved."
Since only one article, with your bold highlight, went as far as saying his throat was "slit," what are you determined to believe?

I'm not sure what to think on this one, especially due to the number of different variations on the story, which is why I threw it into the ring.