Artist died 'handcuffed to tree'

BBC ^ | 9/22/05 | Mikey_1962

[Mikey_1962]

A schizophrenic artist who died after handcuffing himself to a tree after throwing away the key, may have tried to free himself, an inquest has heard. The skeleton of Richard Sumner - 47 when he went missing three years ago - was found in a remote area of Clocaenog Forest, Denbighshire, in April 2005.

Mr Sumner, from Crosby, Merseyside, may have changed his mind about killing himself but could not reach the keys, the Denbigh inquest was told.

The coroner recorded an open verdict.

Mr Sumner, at one time a scenic artist for opera productions at Glyndebourne, had suffered from schizophrenia since 1984.

The hearing was told he had attempted to take his life in this manner before and in 1996 had taken four days to free himself.

His skeleton was found by a woman who had become lost while walking her dog.

[CPOSharky]

All tree huggers and performance "artists" should emulate this guy.

[Kenton]

For a sequel, I expect something of a "Weekend at Bernie's" work.

[ko_kyi]

You're killin me! LOL

[Enterprise]

I wonder if he 'cuffed himself to a nut tree.

[krb]

I don't think it's fair to consider a schizo guy a darwin award. That guy was sick.

[JasonC]

Nuts

[Puddleglum]

As the Schaivo lawyers told it, it was a blissful death. No doubt there are ruts dug out of the tree bark to prove that.

[cripplecreek]

"That guy was sick."

Not anymore.

[r9etb]

I hope that I will never see A skeleton handcuffed to a tree

LOL! That would make a great tag line.

[ItsForTheChildren]

He'll be the first dead guy to get an NEA grant.

But not the first brain-dead one.

[azhenfud]

Would a Darwin Award be appropriate? if so I nominate him.

[Enterprise]

The shoulder bone connected to the arm bone
The arm bone connected to the hand bone
The hand bone connected to the tree bone

[varyouga]

This is what happens when you don't have guns. I see a Dr. K government contract in the future.

[wideawake]

A schizophrenic artist who died after handcuffing himself to a tree after throwing away the key

Apparently the English language is committing suicide as well.

[azhenfud]

"A few days does not a skeleton make."

The mosquitoes were especially bad.

[PissAndVinegar]

I bet to differ - probably some good nutrients in that thar freak!

[DirtyHarryY2K]

OUCHIE!

[sgtbono2002]

Its pretty obvious the guy knew he would change his mind, thats why he threw the keys away. Seems a pretty stupid way to commit suicide though.

I have seen people who tied a plastic bag around their heads with a necktie and committed suicide. All they had to do was tear away the bag, but they didnt.One woman tried to commit suicide by takeing her months supply of Birth control pills all at once. She got sick stomach. Another tried it with aspirin. Dont try that one , If you dont die the acid in the aspirin ruins the stomach lining. Black Flag will take you out , but its painful, and Draino isnt any fun either. During my term in a DC Ambulance I found that one step off the Duke Ellington Bridge always did the job.

[MortMan]

You mean "Weekend at Woody's", right? ;-P

[Conspiracy Guy]

The smell had to be bad for a few weeks.