Hello family,

My penpal and great friend was in the hole since almost a year at USP Terre Haute IN (fed). This morning the chaplain called his father to tell him that he passed away. He said he couldn't tell him what happened (I suppose they need to investigate it first) but that there will be more news on Monday.

I really don't know what to do nor what to say to my friend's father.
Do you have any advice? Is the BOP allowed to hold these informations about his death? We don't even know what happened!! He was in perfect health so it means he had a violent death which is even more disturbing...

Please help!!!

I'm sorry for your loss...my condolences to you and his family. I pray that the truth will be told and that you all will have answers. May he rest in peace.

I'm really sorry for your loss. I can't imagine being ill or injured in prison. Was he single celled? If he was, it could have been something else. If you'd like maybe post his dad's address so we could send him cards?

Oh my, I'm so sorry. Information can be withheld pending investigation. I'm at a loss as to what to advise you to tell his father other than how sorry you are for his loss. May he rest in peace.

I'm really sorry for your loss. I can't imagine being ill or injured in prison. Was he single celled? If he was, it could have been something else. If you'd like maybe post his dad's address so we could send him cards?

thank you tweedybird and wendy for your answers and your support.
Tweedybird, you're refering to suicide right? I don't think he would do this... from what I know he was sharing a cell, but since the last time he wrote his celly could have been moved (he was going to be transferred soon, we didn't know when), and yes he could be alone...

oh, and if you feel like it you can leave a message of support on my friend's blog that his father put online : http://whit-superfriends.blogspot.com/

so sorry for your loss... My condolences to you and his father..

how old was he? Maybe he had a heartattack? Anyhow.. I am so sorry. :(

thank you tweedybird and wendy for your answers and your support.
Tweedybird, you're refering to suicide right? I don't think he would do this... From what i know he was sharing a cell, but since the last time he wrote his celly could have been moved (he was going to be transferred soon, we didn't know when), and yes he could be alone...

Sorry about your loss. May God bless you and his family.

so sorry for your loss... My condolences to you and his father..

how old was he? Maybe he had a heartattack? Anyhow.. I am so sorry. :(

thanks for your message
he was going to turn 25 next week... and he's a health nerd, he exercises every day... exerciseD... I seriously doubt he died quietly and peacefully while he was sleeping...

That is not necessarily true. He could of had a brain tumor or aneurysm or something. Maybe a blood clot in the leg, you never know. No one thought Natasha Richardson would've died either, but she bled in the brain after falling on soft sand, who knows, maybe she had a brain problem and the impact hit her just right and it started the bleeding. Because of his age we ask for autopsies here in the U.S. Unless he had some sort of scanning saying there was no bleeding in his brain, or a scan for clots, you never know.

thanks for your message
he was going to turn 25 next week... and he's a health nerd, he exercises every day... exerciseD... I seriously doubt he died quietly and peacefully while he was sleeping...

So sorry for your lost and hisfather.Will be praying for all of you.
Hope you find out what happend.

May you find comfort in God's mercy and love and in knowing how sorry we all are for your terrible loss.

So Sorry! May he RIP!

I am very sad for you loss. His soul is now free, but it will be a very difficult time for you and for his father. As to what you can say to him, just be there, your caring and support are more of more value than just words.
You are both in my prayers

Currently there is no announcement on our news channels of an inmate that died under suspicious circumstances. There is usually a news article when something occurs, but Terre Haute is Federal not state so they may do things differently.

It does"t matter what the cause is, it is very hard to loose a loved one. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. May God be with all of you at this time.

I am so sorry for your loss, and please pass condolences to his father. I would think that his father could request an autopsy. It is typically standard practice for a sudden death in the US, but I am not sure if that applies to inmates. His father can ask. There are so many things that could have been the cause of death. The first thing that comes to my mind for a young exercise zealous male is heart attack due to steroid use. But there are so many options that I would not speculate. That is very young!

The little I know of your pal I cannot imagine this being of natural causes either Nina. I am so saddened by this news and wish I could do something for you .. please know that you made him happy and that is more than alot of people ever have.

I went to the blog and left my condolences for his family ~ You all are in my thoughts and prayers

That is not necessarily true. He could of had a brain tumor or aneurysm or something. Maybe a blood clot in the leg, you never know. No one thought Natasha Richardson would've died either, but she bled in the brain after falling on soft sand, who knows, maybe she had a brain problem and the impact hit her just right and it started the bleeding. Because of his age we ask for autopsies here in the U.S. Unless he had some sort of scanning saying there was no bleeding in his brain, or a scan for clots, you never know.
this is more along the lines I was thinking, not suicide. I guess his father will find out pretty quickly.

please keep on them to tell you what happened im sorry for your lossbut dont let them sweep this under the rug and if he was killed by an inmate or an untreated illness ie, infection or something post it every were so that they are forsed to give better treatment.

If he had a cellie and they suspected they cellie was involved he would have been placed in a separate cell or in the hole right away. Let me edit my original post, i meant to say snow, not dirt.

Let me also add, not directed towards you tweedy, i work in a hospital and have been in healthcare for 10 years, just because someone is young does not automatically mean he was murdered, or using drugs. This sounds more like a natural cause or some kind of medical condition. No one knows if he had heart problems, hell, maybe he did not even know. Blood clots and bleeding are called silent killers, because they are exacly that, silent until they kill.

Signs of a blood clot in the leg, pain at the spot or surrounding area where the clot is. How often have people thought this was a charlie horse and let it go. Go on a plane ride and the change in altitude can cause it to travel, and believe it or not, that clot goes directly to the heart.

Sorry about caps.



this is more along the lines i was thinking, not suicide. I guess his father will find out pretty quickly.

If he had a cellie and they suspected they cellie was involved he would have been placed in a separate cell or in the hole right away. Let me edit my original post, i meant to say snow, not dirt.

Let me also add, not directed towards you tweedy, i work in a hospital and have been in healthcare for 10 years, just because someone is young does not automatically mean he was murdered, or using drugs. This sounds more like a natural cause or some kind of medical condition. No one knows if he had heart problems, hell, maybe he did not even know. Blood clots and bleeding are called silent killers, because they are exacly that, silent until they kill.

Signs of a blood clot in the leg, pain at the spot or surrounding area where the clot is. How often have people thought this was a charlie horse and let it go. Go on a plane ride and the change in altitude can cause it to travel, and believe it or not, that clot goes directly to the heart.

Sorry about caps.

Very sorry to hear about your friend, my condolences. I agree with dortiz37... especially if he were in his cell 23 hours a day without a lot of movement, it's possible that he developed a blood clot or something like that. I hope you find out soon the cause of his death and are able to get justice for him.

I would like to thank you all for the messages you left.
Well now I guess all we can do is wait until we get more news...
I just looked him up on the BOP website and his status is "DECEASED". Somehow I was still waiting for someone to call me and say "It was a joke, he's alive and safe!!"... Now it's really becoming real... :(

His dad posted this morning that he committed suicide. My condolences to you and his dad.

His dad posted this morning that he committed suicide. My condolences to you and his dad.

thanks for letting me know, I had not seen the blog post...

So sorry for your loss. The others are right. My son was in good condition and passed 09/11. Heart problems can stay hidden many years. He will have an autiopsy. It may take several months to get the results, Friends will help you get answers.

no matter what the cause, no one deserves to die that early..but my thoughts an prayers are with you and the family of your friend..take care and i hope you find your answers.

Hello family,

My penpal and great friend was in the hole since almost a year at USP Terre Haute IN (fed). This morning the chaplain called his father to tell him that he passed away. He said he couldn't tell him what happened (I suppose they need to investigate it first) but that there will be more news on Monday.

I really don't know what to do nor what to say to my friend's father.
Do you have any advice? Is the BOP allowed to hold these informations about his death? We don't even know what happened!! He was in perfect health so it means he had a violent death which is even more disturbing...

Please help!!!
I am so sorry for your loss! I will keep you and his family in my prayers.

I am so sorry for your loss. His writings on the blog site were very good! Hopefully as time goes on, the writings will give you and his family comfort.

Just my opinion, but 1st I am so sorry, what a shame for one to die so young. I read his blog and he didn't sound like one who would take his life, I hope you can convince his father to get them to do a thorough investigation into his death.

So sorry for your loss. My sympthy goes out to you and his family and may he rest in peace. Hope you find out what happened, so you guys can get some closure.

MKW - I'm so sorry for your loss!!!
May he RIP - I will light a candle in his name @ Church this evening when I go.

Hugs!

suicide!!! so very sad.

May he R.I.P

Just my opinion, but 1st I am so sorry, what a shame for one to die so young. I read his blog and he didn't sound like one who would take his life, I hope you can convince his father to get them to do a thorough investigation into his death.

boop's mom,
most of his loved one received some sort of goodbye card. It really seems that he took his own life. I don't know all the details so I can't tell anything for sure, plus it's hard to follow the whole "story" when you're overseas as I am... I'll try to learn more things later
Thanks for your concern :)

Again I am so sorry, it just breaks my heart . reading his blogs gave me the opinion he was a person with such wit and personality.

oh my gosh, im so sorry to hear. my prayers are with him, you and the family.

I'm sorry for your loss.

i'm truly sorry for your loss, God give you confort on this time, whit mi son on prisions this is ma nightmare i'm scare for the phone , sometimes i dream i will never see mi loved son again. god bless you everybody

i'm truly sorry for your loss, God give you confort on this time, whit mi son on prisions this is ma nightmare i'm scare for the phone , sometimes i dream i will never see mi loved son again. god bless you everybody

I understand that you are scared, I'd feel horrible if I had a child in prison. Fortunately, inmate murders or suicides are still a minority.
I'd like to find something to advise you, but right now I can't... I'd like to tell you "listen to the red flags he sends you", but in the case of Whit, he didn't really send any red flag. On the contrary, he was hiding all this pain, and I never saw "it" coming :( I don't think anybody around him (I mean his family and other penpals, not the other inmates) expected that either. I mean everybody knew this would be a possibility, but noone thought it would happen (and not so soon :( )
good luck to you and your son

Whit will be remembered Nina, and you helped spread the word of how amazing he is, I would never have known about him if it weren't for you. He's always going to live on through those that cared about him ... May he RIP and may everyone that loved him find peace eventually with the choice he made. Fri will be hard .... I'm always here if you need me !!

Hi,
I am sorry for your loss and even though we do not know each other I wanted to lend a shoulder or two. I have been dealing with the DOC for 15+ years and at this point this is my biggest fear so I can't imagine how you handling this? I do want to share with you that God put you in this man's life for a reason - and in his father's life. I really don't think they can keep this information from his family or at least who ever was listed as his contact/procy. If you want to talk more feel free to send me a message. Keep your head up and you will be in our (PTO family) prayers.
Hugs from Boston, MA :thumbsup:

I am so sorry to hear this and thanks for the link to the blog. Everyone usually says to "look for the signs" regarding suicide. A friend of mine committed suicide after we spent a week at the beach laughing and having fun. There was a group of us. Not one of us had any idea. For a long time, we felt guilty having "missed" something, but that is the tragedy of suicide. Closure can be next to impossible for the ones left behind.

Take care of yourself and know you brought light to his days.

Hello family,

My penpal and great friend was in the hole since almost a year at USP Terre Haute IN (fed). This morning the chaplain called his father to tell him that he passed away. He said he couldn't tell him what happened (I suppose they need to investigate it first) but that there will be more news on Monday.

I really don't know what to do nor what to say to my friend's father.
Do you have any advice? Is the BOP allowed to hold these informations about his death? We don't even know what happened!! He was in perfect health so it means he had a violent death which is even more disturbing...

Please help!!!


I am not going to say "I'm sorry" b/c when close one's have passed saying sorry didn't make me feel any better...so, with that I'll say I'll keep you in my daily prayers and have hope that in the end, everything will come out and your friend's death will be handled properly.

Thank you for posting about Whit and for the link to his blog. I started reading it last night and only stopped because I was so tired and I couldn't see through my tears. I got up first thing this morning and finished. For some reason, this really struck me close to my heart.

I left a message on the blog, I hope you and his family and loved ones are doing well... I know times can be tough, but something positive will come from this tragedy. I only wish I knew of him sooner....

condolences god bless you an your family ill praying for all of you that god will comfort you in your time grief

I am so sorry to hear this and thanks for the link to the blog. Everyone usually says to "look for the signs" regarding suicide. A friend of mine committed suicide after we spent a week at the beach laughing and having fun. There was a group of us. Not one of us had any idea. For a long time, we felt guilty having "missed" something, but that is the tragedy of suicide. Closure can be next to impossible for the ones left behind.

Take care of yourself and know you brought light to his days.

Yeah, that's precisely what happened. From what he was saying to me it was absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to know that he would do it.Except the fact that he had not written me since 2 weeks, which was unusual, there were absolutely no red flags for me. And I blame the letter-free weeks on the post that sometimes doesn't work properly on on the essays he had to write for his classes.

I've been dealing with suicide threats in the past with one of my exes, and even though I was scared to death he would do it, I was explained by my school's psychologist that as long as the person talks about it and warns you, it's usually a sign that s/he won't do it and just needs some attention (or that s/he is doing some emotionnal blackmail on you, which is what happened to me...). If Whit never mentionned anything in his letters, it's probably because he didn't want me to worry or to tell him not to do it...

I'm really sorry about your friend's loss PrincessD

Big hugs and thanks again to all of you

i have had three sucides a best friend an my brother an my father god bless them all
most folks blame them selves but they took decsion to do it with depression an mental illness ran hand an hand an foot usa is bad in that area Mental health ass rate mental health as a big D an another friend last year if you reganize the signs have that person you cant force it but you can be support for that person if your are around enough notice change or any thing diffrent gut say it try to get him help if he want it him or her

I know this is late but sorry for ur loss. May he R.I.P.

I am so sorry about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I am new to this forum but your story is one of the first I have read, and I pray for you and your friends family. May he rest in peace and may you all get the truth to give you all closesur that you need to truly mourn the loss. God bless you and always know in your heart what is done in the dark always comes to the light the truth will be revealed! Be strong

sorry for your loss same for his family,prayers go out to you guys and this is of any comfort GOD has come to get his child and he's in better hands,

May he rest in peace. Heartbreaking.

Im so sorry for you and his familys loss. May he rest in peace. God loves him and you all.

That is just horrid, my sincere condolences to you and to his family.

I'm sorry for your loss my condolences to you and his family.

I will keep his family and you in my prayers. The situation is heartbreaking.

How are you doing? I'm so sorry for your loss.

i am very sorry for your loss. you and whit's family are in my prayers.
may he rest in peace.

Hello hun, I am very sorry to hear about your loss, I truly am! Honestly, during these times like this, I really don't think that there are set things to say that are right or wrong.. you just reallydon't know what to say. It's easier telling someone else who is in the situation, rather than yourself, but as they say in church.. do not mourn a loss, rejoice a live that was lived by him. Talk to his father about things you knew about him, memories you could bring up to his dad that were familiar to you both that both knew and so on. Prison is a very hard and loneyly place among other things.. It is hard to believe, but there is no more pain anymore, he is at peace now. It hurts when we don't have someone in our life due to this cirumstance, but rejoice the life he had when he was in this world. I will pray for him tonight, that he is with god and the angels ;-)

I am sorry for your loss.

Im so so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your friend's family xxx

MKW Im so sorry to hear this ,it most certainly must have been a shock for you. I have no advice to give just know you are in my prayers at this sad time.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and his loved ones...I am truly sorry for your loss.

I have just caught up with this, having not been around PTO much lately. I am so, so sorry. I know how much all your friends mean to you, so know how deep your pain will be. Like has been mentioned before, take comfort in the love and friendship you gave him. Your friendship will have been so very important to him. There are no words to ease the pain you will be feeling, but know, I send you lots of love, and you know where I am if you need to talk. God bless sweetheart.

R.I.P. Whit... Fly free.

i have had three sucides a best friend an my brother an my father god bless them all
most folks blame them selves but they took decsion to do it with depression an mental illness ran hand an hand an foot usa is bad in that area Mental health ass rate mental health as a big D an another friend last year if you reganize the signs have that person you cant force it but you can be support for that person if your are around enough notice change or any thing diffrent gut say it try to get him help if he want it him or her
[I was explained by my school's psychologist that as long as the person talks about it and warns you, it's usually a sign that s/he won't do it and just needs some attention (or that s/he is doing some emotionnal blackmail on you, which is what happened to me...). If Whit never mentionned anything in his letters, it's probably because he didn't want me to worry or to tell him not to do it...]

I can put myself in his place because I 've been suffering for depression almost my hole life and suicide was always in my toughts, sometimes most sometimes less, but I won't tell my history about because is hard to understand. I can say that for not much I'm alive. And I've been luck with my meds and therapy and feeling well for now. But that thoughts always come back. I'm telling you this because besides the disturb I suffer from lack of understanding, because there are people who doen't know this desease is for real and painful. And the fact that With had been loved and understood by you and his father was more important than you can imagine. And I know the peace he was looking for he had found. Sorry for your lost, but I know you understand and you know you made the difference in his life, because I'm sure love was the only support kept him alive before his act.

My condolences on the passing of your loved one....May God Bless You

my condolences go out to you and your friend's family, may he RIP.

Thank you again to everyone for the kind words and for your support.
Missiva, thank you for your message, I'm looking for answers and you help me understand better. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. If you ever want to talk to somebody who is totally outside your life and won't judge, I'm here.
Be strong.
Love,
Nina

I can put myself in his place because I 've been suffering for depression almost my hole life and suicide was always in my toughts, sometimes most sometimes less, but I won't tell my history about because is hard to understand. I can say that for not much I'm alive. And I've been luck with my meds and therapy and feeling well for now. But that thoughts always come back. I'm telling you this because besides the disturb I suffer from lack of understanding, because there are people who doen't know this desease is for real and painful. And the fact that With had been loved and understood by you and his father was more important than you can imagine. And I know the peace he was looking for he had found. Sorry for your lost, but I know you understand and you know you made the difference in his life, because I'm sure love was the only support kept him alive before his act.

I am very sorry for your loss and the father as well. My prayers will be with you and his father. You might try to look at his death the way I do that he is in a better place and that God will be taking care of him now. We suffer the loses with such pain, just try to be there for his father and May god be with you in this time

REST IN PEACE

Wow Hun I am so very sorry for your and his family's loss. May God wrap his arms around you shower you all with love and comfort.

I just went a read Whit's blog. That young man was an amazingly gifted writer. He could have turned his blogs into a wonderful book :*( I am so sorry for your loss and wondering why such a brilliant, funny, young man would take his life.
Was I right in reading he had a total 6 year sentence and had already done three? Or did I read that wrong?
You said that he sent goodbye cards to family members. I hope within those good-byes he told them why he did it. Many people who are left behind due to suicide spend their lives wondering why... and if it was something that THEY did wrong.
God, such a waste. This man was so scarily talented as a writer.... he could have shown the world what prison is like for the millions of people that live in them.

I just went a read Whit's blog. That young man was an amazingly gifted writer. He could have turned his blogs into a wonderful book :*( I am so sorry for your loss and wondering why such a brilliant, funny, young man would take his life.
Was I right in reading he had a total 6 year sentence and had already done three? Or did I read that wrong?
You said that he sent goodbye cards to family members. I hope within those good-byes he told them why he did it. Many people who are left behind due to suicide spend their lives wondering why... and if it was something that THEY did wrong.
God, such a waste. This man was so scarily talented as a writer.... he could have shown the world what prison is like for the millions of people that live in them.

Whit was facing 20 more years on his sentence, but he told everybody that he was confident that he would win this new trial. Otherwise, he would have been free in 2011, which can be long or short depending on how you use your time I guess.
Yes, he did send sort of goodbye cards to family members and friends. I received one. I didn't understand it was a goodbye card when I got it (the day before his passing), because, well, it didn't say goodbye... It said that he was glad I was part of his life. And a few other things, but no goodbye, no explanation, no nothing.
As you were saying, there are a lot of questions that will remain unanswered. But as far as the reasons of his suicide are concerned, I think it's very simple. He was going to turn 25 (last Friday), and he probably didn't feel like spending almost the rest of his life in prison (and in solitary, where he was since 1 year). Maybe there are thousands of other reasons, but this one is the most obvious. We will never know.
I don't know if he left a note next to him, nor how he did it. I'll ask his father when he feels better. He's devastated at the moment, which is perfectly human and understandable.

Thank you very much for the compliments on his talent for writing. I agree with you, and I told him all the time... he was such an awesome writer... I never got to read any of his poems :(

Whit was facing 20 more years on his sentence..., He was going to turn 25 (last Friday), and he probably didn't feel like spending almost the rest of his life in prison (and in solitary, where he was since 1 year).


Solitary is cruel and unusual punishment. I feel so bad for that poor kid. :( How could they put someone with so much obvious life, love of life and talent in a solitary cell for 20 years? I am sending prayers of emotional healing to you and his family.

Solitary is cruel and unusual punishment. I feel so bad for that poor kid. :( How could they put someone with so much obvious life, love of life and talent in a solitary cell for 20 years? I am sending prayers of emotional healing to you and his family.

he probably wasn't going to spend the whole 20 years in solitary, but it was going to last at least 6 more months or maybe a year. Maybe more depending on the administration.
I believe it's a cruel and unusual punishment as well.
Thank you for your support!

I'm very sorry for your loss. Did you get to find out what happened yet?

I'm very sorry for your loss. Did you get to find out what happened yet?

Thank you Ashley. I know he committed suicide, but that's all I know. I don't know how, nor all the reasons for that.

I am sorry to hear about your friend. It's got to be doubly hard to not know the circumstances about his death. My heart goes out to you and his family. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Thank you Ashley. I know he committed suicide, but that's all I know. I don't know how, nor all the reasons for that.

I just saw this after I posted my message. I am very sorry that your friend committed suicide. I am all too familiar with it, if you need to talk, let me know.

so sorry to hear this ... I'll be praying for you and his family, I pray you get an honest answer ...

Be patient and time will see you through. Sorry, about your loss.

very sorry for your loss

i am sorry to hear about your loss, may God bless his soul forever and ever

I am very sorry for your's and his father's loss. I know death is very hard for us to deal with, but remember, his spirit is in God's loving arms now, and remember to smile about the good times he has blessed you with in his much too short time here, it truly does make a difference!