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KOMO's Eric Slocum Commits Suicide

C

CorporateSuit

From the PI: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Longtime-KOMO-anchor-Eric-Slocum-dies-at-54-3371186.php

I worked with him as a board operator when KOMO first flipped to news after getting the M's. Yeend did afternoons while Eric did mornings. I knew of his sexual preference, but it wasn't a "known" issue in the newsroom or who his partner was---at that time (another well known rado personality)---at least, not that I could see. Sorry to see that his depression and other personal demons finally caught up with him.
 
Commenting on my own post...but I happened to remember that when Eric left KOMO Radio (and Fisher completely), didn't he end up doing traffic for Metro? I remember reading at some time that he remarked that he was "doing traffic and loving it!" Maybe Gina Tuttle can confirm. Perhaps I'm thinking of someone else.
 
I too remember him doing traffic for a brief bit for Metro. Not sure if it was a really regular gig or just a fill in.

Very sad though, great guy, great voice.
 
The thing that tended to impress you about Eric when you met him was his sensitivity and kindness. When you got to know him better, he revealed a great sense of humor.

At the same time he dealt with a lot of personal pain, and through a heart of honesty and humility felt compelled to share that struggle with friends, colleagues, and the public.

Eric was tremendously talented, yet he minimized his achievements in an effort to understand life and its meaning. I think the fact he shared that search endeared him even more to thousands of people.

He cited Jersualem and Golgotha in his final Facebook posting.

It is my sincere hope he came to know the One who traveled those places many years ago.
 
KOMO TV (and Radio) won't report the story because it's a suicide. But I think it needs to be reported to shine light on this kind of pain and suffering that people deal with as a result of depression. I can only wonder, was he being treated? Was he on some kind of anti-depressant? Did the face that he wasn't working on broadcasting a factor? Many of us face that bleak question when you're no longer wanted (or exiled to the sidelines) but you have to remember that you have talents that can be transferred to other fields and industries.
 
CorporateSuit said:
KOMO TV (and Radio) won't report the story because it's a suicide. But I think it needs to be reported to shine light on this kind of pain and suffering that people deal with as a result of depression. I can only wonder, was he being treated? Was he on some kind of anti-depressant? Did the face that he wasn't working on broadcasting a factor? Many of us face that bleak question when you're no longer wanted (or exiled to the sidelines) but you have to remember that you have talents that can be transferred to other fields and industries.
Click to expand...

The presumption is that they don't want to indirectly promote suicide, which is a false dichotomy. Suit, you are absolutely right about the need to mention this story for the reasons you mention.

If KOMO's logic is to not promote suicide in staying mute on the Slocum story, are they helping give the idea to others of killing Washington State Troopers by broadcasting the Radulescu procession?
 
It's just one of those (out-dated) never-spoken-about rules in broadcasting. If there's a major plane crash, pull all spots that are about airlines. When a hard news story turns out to be suicide, drop it. Don't cover it. But in this case, I think KOMO should do something. Not some big memorial, but report this news. Isn't he still "KOMO Family?" Even though Kathy Gertzen isn't on the air, isn't she "KOMO Family?" (Does she still get paid by Fisher?) But the reasons why this happened (it's not clear HOW, though) need to be brought out because I am sure there is someone in the same situation.
 
"KOMO TV (and Radio) won't report the story because it's a suicide"

What are you talking about? It's on their website. There was a package with highlights from Eric on with Eric & Molly at 5pm...they tweeted about it...they didn't bury it at all....
 
Raydio is correct, it was indeed carried by KOMO. Last nights FM radio broadcast, just before the 6:00 hour, KOMO did a story about Eric. Taking his own life wasn't mentioned, but rather the positive side to his illustrious career in Seattle.

The 6:30 newscast (KING, I think) also broadcast a story about Eric, and they did share that he had taken his own life.

Regardless, a tragic ending to the life of a well respected personality from here.
 
His final poem:

I've been to Herald Square
and Jerusalem --The River Jordan --
Sea of Galilee --
Golgatha.

I've walked on Penny Lane.

I touched the Hollywood Sign.

so many other journeys.
—But now it's time to rest—
—been a busy day—

http://eslocum.blogspot.com/
 
The Street said:
I hate to be morbid but I am curious... did anybody ever hear HOW it killed himself?
Click to expand...

Or rather "HOW he killed himself?"

It's one of those things that people are curious about. But graciously, it doesn't get mentioned. And for right now, it's for the better.

And personally, I don't want to know. Ever.
 
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