NYC authorities: ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ radio self-help couple commits suicide
Posted Jun 6, 2013 5:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Police in New York City say a couple who hosted a radio show called “The Pursuit of Happiness” have killed themselves side by side.
Autopsies found that John Littig, 47, and Lynne Rosen, 45, died from asphyxiation after inhaling helium, a spokeswoman for medical examiner’s office said Thursday.
The bodies were discovered Wednesday in the couple’s home, with so-called “exit bags” over their heads. The suicide method — using plastic bags with draw strings and a hose attached to helium canister — is becoming more common because of it provides “a fast, peaceful, undetectable death” compared with suffocation by carbon dioxide, according to a recent fire department memo prepared for paramedics. The method, however, is not foolproof.
In separate notes, Lettig indicated that they were determined to die together, while Rosen apologized to her family, police said.
There was no immediate response to a message left Thursday at the radio station, WBAI.
“RIP Lynne Rosen + John Littig. Partners on the air and in life,” the station wrote in a tweet.
The victims were partners in self-help venture called “Why Not Now,” according to their website. The site describes Littig as a motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and personal life coach, and Rosen as a life coach, speaker and consultant.
Rosen also was the host of “The Pursuit of Happiness,” a monthly show on WBAI. She was often joined by Littig.
