A veteran committed suicide inside the John Cochran VA Medical Center at 915 North Grand Boulevard early Monday
“We are grieved to confirm that a Veteran was found deceased in our medical center early this morning,” spokeswoman Marcena C. Gunter said in an email. “Our deepest sympathies are with the Veteran’s family and loved ones, our medical center staff and the members of the community affected by this tragic incident.”
St. Louis Police Officer Michelle Woodling said the 62-year-old man committed suicide inside the hospital waiting room at 4:19 a.m. Monday.
John Bauer Known him for many years as a neighbor, he was always complaining to the VA for help. Tried to be a friend/neighbor for support, needless to say he didn’t want my support. I always thank him for his service as a Vietnam veteran. Rest in peace neighbor.
3
COMMENTS ON FACE BOOK
Sherry Harvel Thank you he was my brother 
😭😭😭
😭😭😭
Write a reply…
Hide 12 Replies
Amanda Nicole Well said 
Amanda Nicole I’m going to copy this and share it along with this story. I absolutely agree with you!
Andrea Geringer “Completed suicide” is the correct term to use.
Linda Melonson Glasper What should we all say ? Took their life ? Completed suicide ? What ? That doesn’t even sound like medical terminology. It’s like saying they done it over, and over, and over until they finished. Well, if they say attempted suicide numerous times maybe…See More
Gina White Kuelker Andrea Geringer no, the correct term is “died by suicide”
1
Kevin Lotz Most grief/death/loss experts and thanatologists i.e. experts in the science of death/grief/loss recommend instead of saying “committed suicide,” one refers to suicide as follows…”Jane Doe suicided.” Yes, at first it sounds “awkward,” however as a li…See More
1
Karl Wilder Kevin Lotz And sometimes language can mislead.
Brian Conley Ang PCock, I would like to help. 10th Mountain Veteran 03-10
Write a reply…
Deborah Weber-Finley The VA provided my father good care free of charge. He worked at the VA in Poplar Bluff for years. They could probably use reform but PLEASE do not call for the VA to be closed. Do not even begin to think that v private would be better!
14
Kay Bradford Unfortunately maybe this is what it will take to wake people up to the unnecessary suffering of our Veterans. This poor man took his own life IN A HOSPITAL! I mean if anyone could help him they should have been able to.
11
Jennifer Pallone This isn’t exclusive to the VA. Not long ago a man jumped off a railing at BJC into the lobby below. I can’t recall a time this has happened at the St. Louis VA
3
Kay Bradford I have a friend who has to get treatment at the VA, this one in particular, there are a lot of needs and not so many things that are taken care of in a timely manner.
1
Cathy English Amen they didn’t help him he pleaded with them for years and they didn’t help him with his pain I hope his family sues va. And also the person working there what happen to hippo law? Shaking my head. Dan I’m so sorry for the loss of your grandpa please set up a go fund me account love You dan and Brittany
1
April Bishop-Sennholtz We don’t need a go fund me page! We already hv it payed for! Please do not contribute to any of this. My family has it takin care of. We don’t want no money!
1
Write a reply…
Rivka Gottschall How many scandals have to happen at this hospital before they shut it down? The VA is a failure. I’m a veteran. I’ve experienced their poor care system.
12
Belinda Denson Sorry, I disagree. I am sorry you had a bad experience, but they saved my husband’s life in September and have given him great care.
9
Rivka Gottschall I’m glad things worked out for you.
2
Belinda Denson Thanks, and I hope it will be better for you in the future.
Rivka Gottschall Thank you. I hired a private person.
1
Katie Hansen Rivka Gottschall my dad received care here i hate this place with a passion.
1
Rivka Gottschall I’m so sorry for your loss. The St. Louis VA has been troubled for years. They have been sued in the past. They infected people with HIV and Hep B. They’ve botched surgeries. I say enough is enough. Something needs to happen to change that place. You could file a law suit. Write to your congressman too. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Our veterans deserve the best.
2
Write a reply…
April Harris So sad!!
😕 the poor man needed help but it didn’t come fast enough!! Sometimes when you mix certain meds they can have a negative effect on ones mind!!😕 My condolences to his family and friend. May he now rest in peace.
😕 the poor man needed help but it didn’t come fast enough!! Sometimes when you mix certain meds they can have a negative effect on ones mind!!😕 My condolences to his family and friend. May he now rest in peace.
8
Sherry Harvel Thank you
Write a reply…
Sherry Harvel Thank you
1
Write a reply…
Sara Thomas It is very sad and tragic yes…..but we don’t know what he told them what his complaint was when he checked in…….I’m sure he didn’t come out and say “I’m suicidal” or they would have triaged him immediately
2
Richard Plotzker Over the years I’ve had two attempted suicides by hospital inpatients on medical floors, one a wrist slashing at a different VA, the other a man climbing out the seventh floor window. Both were rescued by heroic efforts of the nurses on site. Suicide…See More
2
Richard L Jones I’m 100% disabled through Agent Orange. I don’t use the VA nearest us except for dental care. Just recently, I was notified that my next dental appointment is on June 24. I also have a dermatology appointment with a civilian doc on April 19. Both a…See More
Missie DeMay My dad was there back in Sept…he has/had early onset dementia and a known drug hx he was in a sitter room…no one notified us he was “missing” for 8hrs. The only reason we found out was bc my sister went to check on him and they said they didnt know where he was.He left the hospital with an IV in none the less. This is our VA system at its best. So sorry for this families loss.
Penny Johnson Hopefully Trump will change that. It seems he is trying. Prayers for you and your family. To think the wars we fought were about money or oil. Something to make the rich richer. I pray for a better world.
2
Mary St Clair They had cut off his pain meds 3 years ago per the family post. Do you realize that there are honest strong legitimate chronic pain patients who are suffering terribly because of the opioid crisis and doctor’s fear of prescribing? Until there is a repl…See More
1
Sherry Harvel He was not on pain meds
Write a reply…
Cynthia McCullison Probst I am so sorry for this family and all the other veterans and their family’s that have no (financial) choice but to go to this criminal institution. My father was a WWII vet that was in Cochran a little over 8 years ago. He was a fall risk and his room …See More
1
Sherry Harvel I’m sorry for your loss that was my brother who shot himself
Write a reply…
Jennifer Brown You know maybe if you could get appointments not a month or two out could be a start. Also telling them they are fat,drink too much coffee,and smoke is not really a diagnosis. Maybe do your job and this wouldn’t happen. You should be ashamed of yourselves! These veterans deserve better than what you provide!
Maria Bonetti Mary Mistretta
You know this is not funny, but my first thought was hearing your stories about the long waits to be seen down there!
You know this is not funny, but my first thought was hearing your stories about the long waits to be seen down there!
Heather Dawn Kartal I truly believe if u want to kill yourself, no one can stop u
The pain inside is greater than any force outside
I have battled depression most of my life and it is a painful road and many do not have the strength to make it one more minute or day…See More
The pain inside is greater than any force outside
I have battled depression most of my life and it is a painful road and many do not have the strength to make it one more minute or day…See More
Barbara Johnson Omg this is so tragic and senseless. Prayers for veteran who didn’t get the help he needed . May you Rest In Peace. We must do a hell of a lot better for our veterans!!! God Bless each and everyone of you for your service and sacrifice for our country!
Paris Rosenberg How did he kill himself? Was it intentional overdose or was he actually with a gun in the ER? Did I miss some of this article?
Maria Bonetti This is the exact same thing my friend talks about when she brings her Veteran father down there! Apparently, it’s a nightmare and a joke, all rolled into one! My condolences to your family.
Sherry Harvel That was my brother and I miss him already please don’t say negative things about him he was very sick 😭😭😭😭😭
😭😭😭😭😭
2
Whitchurch Gary Debbie I m a vietnam vet have been using the VA for several years now , they have treated me good, some how we are not seeing the complete story here. As for as getting into the hospital with a gun, you can walk right into most hospitals unchecked
Nancy Pingel And Congress doesn’t think there should be more funds for the military. Pitiful.
11
Linda Jamerson This isn’t a surprise and I can’t believe it hasn’t happened more. The VA is its own worst enemy in some ways and we, the Veterans are sometimes the unfortunate victim.
5
Alex Stevenson I feel like the veteran community is very often it’s own worst enemy as well. Guys get so worked up about this stuff, and yet, I’d bet a good percent of these incidents would occur no matter what the VA does.
1
Liz Stasieczko Wait until trumps war starts and we have more damaged people.
2
Christopher Slater Liz Stasieczko This is President Trump’s fault? 16+ years of war, under two Presidents – and it was probably broken before that.
5
Linda Jamerson I would agree with you to a certain point Mr. Stevenson and yes, these incidents could very well happen anywhere and to anyone. I’m a Veteran and work for the federal government, in a system that is broken and has been for some time. There are so many …See More
1
Top Comments is selected, so some replies may have been filtered out.
Write a reply…
Belinda Denson It is so sad when any person loses hope to the point of suicide. My prayers are with this family.
8
Dan Carthen Gotta build that wall! No money to improve the VA.
8
Karen Shaw So sorry for the individual’s family
4
Laura Bridegan Curran Tragic… praying for all who knew and love him… praying for all veterans…
2
Kathryn Elizabeth Well since waiting rooms are open 24/7 he could have come in at any time…
1
Write a reply…
Diane Landfried How did he do it???? Was it obvious????? How long was he there??????
Sherry Klingeman Wilkerson How awful! Prayers to the family for comfort and strength. 
🙏🏼
🙏🏼
2
Lynn Whitbeck Hepner Tragic and indicates lack of supervision
3
Linda Melonson Glasper He was ” found deceased ” ???? I read several articles that said he shot himself. So, how do they ” find him dead ” and no one heard the shots ? He was right there in a hospital and obviously no one saw any signs. It probably wasn’t his first time going there either. Very sad….
Joan Jensen It was also 4 am so maybe no one was in that area.
Sherry Harvel He shot himself he was my brother 😭😭😭😭😭
😭😭😭😭😭
1
Linda Melonson Glasper Condolences to you and your family. 
😢
😢
1
Write a reply…
Katie Hansen I absolutely hate this place with a passion.
1
Annie Daugherty Why is this VA such a hellhole? The VA in Mt Vernon, Missouri is wonderful.
Write a reply…
Michel Cohen I’m sorry I can’t see how lack of staff equates to lack of compassion.
George Sellers Sr. That’s so so so very sad I’LL PRAY for the FAMILY WAY CAN’T WE HELP
John Visaggio No one noticed until hours later,
Catherine Weitekemper So very sad…what’s wrong with this country???
Peggy Price Feld How sad. We need to spend more time helping our veterans.
Ginny Ocello Something really needs to be done about that place
Melissa Hard Elliott Davis should look into this!
1
Cathy Clay So sad. Hiring freeze is not helping the wait time!! 
😡
🤬
😡🤬
7
Jennifer Lopez Who has a hiring freeze? I know nurses that started there this month
2
Cathy Clay Jennifer Lopez I bet they were beyond short. I bet they were short 10 and got 2. Go ask. I work at a VA hospital, so I know. Short 8 techs for a year, just hired one.
3
Lori Ann Yes, we are currently in California for my spouse’s job and she had to wait several months to see a doctor or nurse practitioner at the V.A. here. The staff apologized and explained that it was due to the hiring freeze. Also, with the recent budget cuts, they are short on supplies. The V.A. pharmacy here was even closed temporarily.
Write a reply…
Carmen Oyston Prayers 
💖
💖
2
Pat Powell Prayers for his family
1
Barb Collico Campanella How sad.
3
Kathy Martin Brandsma Very sad
3
Mike Jones End illegal wars now!
2
Brenda Love Collins May he rest in peace.
2
Terry Berry Lindemann So sorry RIP
2
Pam Pc Cordova
🙏🙏🙏
🙏🙏🙏
2
Hollie Rena Eric Pollack did you see this??
Rita Walker Awe! So sad.
1
Angela Houston Tragic. My God I’m so sorry. Rest in peace.
1
Dawn Glover This is a tragedy!
1
Beverly Stout God Bless you
1
Ryan Conklin Get me in there.
Nathan Ernst socialized medicine
Bob Lechleitner Prayers. RIP>
Janet Martin Prayers for you all !
MikeandMarcia Ziska This is so sad. R I P Sir.
Ruth Tinker BBB
Filed under: General Problems
I have just 1 question,,,was this honorable man in forced physical pain?Did u all know,,that the V.A. has made it law,,that they do not release any information on any veterens who die by their own means..They state they will not make public ,the why,who or whats,,how a veteran choose death over life.Soo they have now licence themselves to cover-up all death of Vets,,who have had to choose death to stop physical pain because their medicines have forcible been taken/denied access too,,,HOW CORRUPTLY CONVEINEANT way to cover-up the genocide and murder of us and our Veterens!!!maryw