She had allegedly packed her bags, including her brand new, one-of-a-kind golf bag, all in preparation for her flight to the upcoming match, but she never made it to the airport. In fact she never made it out of her bed in her Henderson, Nevada home, as that is where, according to her father, “a friend, ” now known to be 43-year-old MD Thomas Hess, found her dead; cause at the time unstated.

Blasberg’s father initially thought his daughter had committed suicide, but he quickly backed away from this observation, indicating his subsequent belief that her death was somehow suspicious. Police investigators, for their part, initially declined to indicate a cause of death, suggesting they were awaiting the results of toxicology tests. In the meantime death investigators would know that Blasberg, like any of us, had to have died from one of four reasons: natural causes, accident, suicide or homicide. Erica Blasberg had no known history of illness, at least nothing that appeared to threaten her health tosuch a degree, and while an accidental death could include a fall or a motor vehicle accident, it could also include an unintentional overdose. Of course an overdose could also be very intentional, therefore indicating a suicide, while a homicide would usually be evident to responding officers, or at least to the medical examiner. Her death received national news coverage and one outrageous tabloid television talk show host went out of her way to suggest Blasberg could have been suffocated by an unknown assailant, a murderous act done without leaving obvious signs of trauma to her body, perhaps a so-called “soft kill” such as by smothering her with a pillow. While some trashy shows put forth unsupportedtheories for the sole purpose of ratings, such stupid theories do nothing to deal with the challenge of suicide in America and any such host should be ashamed of her/himself for putting such trash out! (As if they care…)

Much would later be said condemning Blasberg’s bags being packed for her upcoming trip to a golf match, but her caddie, Missy Pederson, said she received a text message from Blasberg sent late Saturday night/early Sunday morning indicating that Blasberg was not going to Alabama anymore. Pederson’s reply went unanswered and Blasberg was discovered dead in her own bed at 3 PM Sunday, the day she was to leave for the match.

The above facts, coupled with the now known results of the toxicology exam and the admission of Dr. Hess that he removed medications and a suicide note from the victim’s residence all point to the fact that Blasberg had not only had made a decision about the match, but also about her own life. When Dr. Hess allegedly found Blasberg’s body and called 911 to report her death, he was told specifically not to touch anything in the residence. He instead removed evidence of her pill usage and her alleged suicide note from her residence, choosing to hide them in his vehicle. When later asked to explain why he removed evidence from the victim’s home, he stated he was simply trying to spare her family the embarrassment of her suicide, further indicating “the whole thing was a ‘fuzz’ to him.” We now know Erica’s father’s initial reaction, that of suggesting suicide, was apparently correct, but the question still lingers as to “why;” why would someone with so much going for her in life instead choose death?

Suicide in America

Upwards of 35,000 men, women and children will commit suicide in the U.S. every year, roughly one suicide every 16 minutes., and twice the number of homicides in the U.S. on a yearly basis. Statistically, most suicides occur in the spring of the year, and while women attempt suicide three times more often than men, men are far more successful at taking their own lives, probably because of method of death, 60% of the time by the use of a firearm. Women are more likely to choose some kind of overdose. There are almost one million suicide attempts in the U.S. every year, with suicide representing the third highest cause of death for those near her age. One of the highest risk factors for suicide is depression and/or substance-abuse; silent killers that contribute to many accidents, suicide attempts and actual suicides every year. Approximately 20% of suicide victims leave some form of note to explain their death, something Blasberg apparently did also. Suicide rates vary greatly across the world with Greece experiencing about three such deaths per 100,000 while Korea sees 215 suicide related deaths per 100,000.

Media reports suggest Blasberg was struggling with her game this year, finishing no better than 44thin a recent tournament. Her father indicated “she knew this year was going to be a tough year, but she was motivated.” She was ranked the nation’s #1 female golfer in 2003, but found the LPGA far more challenging than the college ranks, never finishing higher than 94th on the overall money list. A former coach indicated that she tended to keep to herself, suggesting it was hard for anyone to get close to her. Reports have not included any information concerning a significant other in her life, this as golf seemed to take up all of her time.

Death by Suffocation or Strangulation

For investigators, suffocation happens when someone places something over a victim’s mouth and nose to prevent her from breathing. This could be the assailant’s hand, a pillow, or even a plastic bag (we now know that one was found over the victim’s head). Suffocation is basically anything that restricts the flow of oxygen into the victim’s lungs and, of course, to the brain. In these cases investigators attempt to determine the cause of death, in the absence of obvious indications of trauma, by checking the decease’s eyes to determine if they are bloodshot. Physical evidence of suffocation would have likely included the presence of petechial hemorrhages in the victim’s eyes, face, lungs, and neck area. Petechiae are tiny purple or red spots on the skin that are caused by small areas of bleeding under the skin. The medical examiner would also have looked for evidence of a fracture to her hyoid bone, the U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that can be fractured during strangulation. But without any sign or indication of a struggle, something to indicate that someone as athletic as Blasberg had somehow not died without a fight, investigators would early on have considered suicide. And although there was no sign of a struggle, as a parent I can understand how her father would want to somehow believe she died at the hands of another as opposed to her own.

Accidental Death

Many people have died from the accidental ingestion of prescription and non-prescription drugs. Actor Heath Ledger was just 28 when he died in 2008 of “a toxic combination of prescription drugs,” in his case at least six different drugs taken to combat depression, insomnia, anxiety, pain and the common cold. Ledger, like Blasberg, was young and successful and, in his case, at the top of his game, but self medication can at times be deadly. Investigators have now stated that Blasberg’s cause of death was the result of a prescription drug cocktail, an opinion supported by toxicology results. In fact the victim had a total of six different drugs in her system, to include butalbital, temazepam, alprazolam [Xanax], codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol, and Dr. Hess has confirmed that he found her with a plastic bag over head. Erica Blasberg, a perfectionist in so many positive areas in her life and in her game, also apparently did everything she could do to insure she succeeded in taking her own life.

As indicated above, suicide is, unfortunately, something that happens far too often in this country. While some had suggested her death in her own bed without any overt evidence of physical assault was a probable accidental death or an or intentional suicide, others chose to believe she had too much to live for to take her own life. Some believed she was too future oriented and had not exhibited the obvious signs of suicidal ideation, signs like talking about taking her own life or giving away her possessions or otherwise preparing to close the book on her own life. But, as one friend said, “if you’re struggling on the tour, it can be very stressful. You’re trying to make a living, you’re traveling every week.” Stress enough for anyone, noting her father suggested he thought she might even quit golf after the 2009 season. Sometimes suicide can become the obvious, or perhaps the only way to end one’s pain.

She did, in fact, have some physical injuries in the past year, injuries that could have required some of the medications found in her system, but there was no indication by her family that she was otherwise using, much less abusing such medications. But no matter what her cause of death, she will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She was a wonderful role model for other young women that might seek to follow in her footprints. Her death is a true tragedy, a tragedy that demanded, and ultimately received an equally tragic answer. We now know the how concerning her death, but the why will linger forever. What her death should be, however, is an example that no matter how strong or determined we are, we need the help and support of others. When the going really gets tough, even the tough need help.

For more information concerning personal and family safety and security, to obtain a free copy of our DVD “Protecting Children from Predators,” to find out the identity and location of sex offenders in your community, and to learn how to get our new and free iPhone and iPod and Blackberry application, “Silent Bodyguard,” that with just one-button allows you to send both a personal distress message and transmits your exact GPS coordinates every 60 seconds, go to www.LiveSecure.org.