Good Night, and Good luck

"In keeping with Channel 40's policy policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living colour; you are going to see another first-attempted suicide." She put a .38 caliber gun to the back of her head, and pulled the trigger. She lurched forward, hit her head on the desk, and proceeded to fall to the floor. On the desk, colleagues found a short message, roughly scrawled onto a piece of paper, covered in blood and bits of brain: Today, Chris Chubbuck shot herself during a live broadcast.

Her choice of words; "attempted suicide" and "shot herself" as opposed to "killed herself" has caused some dispute as to whether or not she intended to die on that day. However, her skill as a journalist and flair for comedy were not absent in those final moments. Three weeks before the live on-air shooting, Christine had revealed to the News Director her interest in doing a piece on suicide.

Suggestion authorised, she began to research methods of suicide, uncovering during an interview with the Sheriffs office, that the best way to kill yourself, was with a .38 caliber gun aimed at the lower back part of the head. Check.

The day before the suicide, she was berated by the Station owner, who'd pulled her aside to remind her that the station was all about sensationalism. Reminding her to stick to the "blood and guts" stories. Blood and guts? Check.

Tongue-in-cheek. Witty. Terribly charming in her death; she achieved the epitome of success in her career. A success that had painfully eluded her in her personal life. With hundreds of people watching; with complete creative freedom and power; the 29 year old virgin, who'd never had a "real" boyfriend , took her own life. Just the way she wanted.