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Men survive gruesome suicide attempt

Published on: 03/09/07

Two Atlanta men survived an attempt to kill themselves Friday by cutting off their arms with a circular saw, according to Atlanta Police Major Lane Hagin. The men managed to sever three of their arms about six inches above the wrist, he said. The fourth arm, however, was apparently not well planned for.

"As suicides go," said Major Hagin, "It was pretty original. The most original I've seen anyway. But you gotta wonder why they didn't take into account that with three out of four hands gone, there would be no way to cut off the fourth hand."

The two men — ages 40 and 41 — left a suicide note with the manager of their Atlanta apartment building saying they were committing suicide because their business had failed and they were recently diagnosed with HIV, Hagin said.

The note began: "We are now down to one arm and can only hope we bleed to death before you read this note."

"Well," said Hagin. "You know how suicide notes go. They are poorly written and always up for interpretation. If you ask me, this was a either a bad business decision gone awry or a cry for help. A cry for someone to lend them a hand."

After reading the note, the manager called police who found the two men in their apartment with "a lot of blood," the major said.

"Blood? Yea. Lots of blood. You kinda expect a lot of blood in cases like this. I don't know why the building manager was so shocked."

Their names were not released. Police spokesman Steve Coleman said both were in stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital late Friday and will undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Said Mr. Coleman, "I think we can all predict the outcome of the evaluation. You don't have to be a psychiatrist to diagnose this one, do you? I mean, we hope the men are ready to begin the long rode to psychiatric wellness. After which, they will most likely participate in rigorous physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other treatments to aid in recovery. Once completed, they will most likely find themselves in public housing where they will live the rest of their productive lives."

Pressed by the press as to their physical condition, Mr. Coleman merely rolled his eyes at reporters.

No charges will be filed in the incident, police said.

"Christ," said Hagin, "we can't even handcuff them."

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