Question by oblivious: how did elliot smith die?

Best answer:

Answer by iijakii
Elliott Smith died on October 21, 2003 in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California at age 34, from two stab wounds to the chest during an emotional fight with Jennifer Chiba. [16] According to her account, the two were arguing when she locked herself in the bathroom. Chiba heard him scream, and upon opening the door, saw Smith standing there with a steak knife in his chest. She pulled the knife out of him, after which Smith collapsed and she called 911. The time of death was listed at 12:18 PM. While originally reported as a suicide, the official autopsy report released in late December 2003 left the question of possible homicide open:
While his history of depression is compatible with suicide, and the location and direction of the stab wound is consistent with self-infliction, several aspects of the circumstances (as are known at this time) are atypical of suicide and raise the possibility of homicide. These include the absence of hesitation wounds, stabbing through clothing, and the presence of small incised wounds on the right arm and left hand (possible defensive wounds). Additionally, the girlfriend’s [Jennifer Chiba’s] reported removal of the knife and subsequent refusal to speak with detectives are all of concern.

According to the coroner’s report, the alleged suicide note, written on a Post-it, read, I’m so sorry – love, Elliot. God forgive me. The misspelling of “Elliott” was later acknowledged as a mistake on the part of the coroner. Robin Peringer, one of the singers few close friends towards the end of his life, says that Smith was a “cutter”, which would help explain the “possible defensive wounds.” Fritz Michaud, an engineer during the Basement sessions, claimed that “Elliott literally wouldn’t have been caught dead without his shirt on,” possibly explaining why the stab wounds penetrated his shirt (something extremely uncommonly seen in stabbing suicides).

His death has not been officially declared a suicide, and the investigation into his death continues, although almost no new information at all has publicly come to light since 2003.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Lindsay Lohan violates probation by leaving rehab facility
Actress Lindsay Lohan violated her probation Thursday by leaving a Newport Beach rehab facility where she was to begin 90 days of treatment in a reckless driving case, prosecutors said. Mark Heller, Lohan's attorney, told Los Angeles County Superior …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Teens Are Being Trapped in Abusive 'Drug Rehab Centers'
If you like Army Wives, Preachers' Daughters, Dance Moms, or any other TV show attempting to create a taxonomy of women based on the professions of their husbands, fathers, and children, then you may well have caught an episode of Teen Trouble.
Read more on VICE

Fox on My Block: Reseda Residents Fight Detox Centers
There is one residential detox center across the street from Bertran Elementary in Reseda. Two others are right around the corner, and two more are being built nearby. "It's crazy" says resident Shannon Hill, echoing residents who say the entire …
Read more on MyFox Los Angeles

Bethlehem officials to reconsider psychiatric hospital, detox center
Plans for a Bethlehem psychiatric hospital and detox center are coming back before city zoning officials this week. But the developer behind the proposed Center Street and Dewberry Avenue hospital says he may not be ready to pitch his case. Abraham …
Read more on The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com

Letter pilfering Peninsula letter carrier to get drug treatment, attorney says
But 39-year-old Romeo Maniulit Natan, who took the mail to feed his methamphetamine habit, will likely serve the rest of his sentence in a residential drug treatment program, attorneys said. The San Bruno man has credit for about 10 months in jail and …
Read more on Contra Costa Times

Young Adult Substance Abuse Treatment the Focus of Summer CEU Event …
Mr. Seidlitz has more than 10 years of experience in substance abuse and mental health treatment, including clinical and managerial roles at an adolescent psychiatric hospital, a drug and alcohol treatment unit in an adolescent prison and a residential …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Lohan's new rehab center has no drug or alcohol treatment license
She said the Newport Beach facilities are “unlicensed” and can only operate as sober living facilities but cannot offer treatment. “It is a violation of California law to operate a residential drug treatment facility without a license,” she explained …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Intervention Services Announced by Into Action …
Into Action Treatment and drug rehab center is now offering intervention services for families struggling to get their loved ones to go to drug and alcohol treatment for their life threatening addiction. Call 1-855-933-6732 to learn more about their …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Jackson family tried drug interventions
LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson's family tried several times to carry out "interventions" on the singer to help him fight drug addiction, but he denied having a problem, a trial heard Thursday. The late King of Pop's mother Katherine Jackson told police a …
Read more on Channel News Asia

Northbound Treatment Services Partners with BIS KIDS – PRWeb
BIS KIDS (Believe in Success Kids) offers a monthly weekend children's program that empowers children with skills and knowledge about prevention and intervention of drug use. Utilizing art projects, music, play activities, movement, role-playing …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Lasting Recovery, San Diego's Premier Outpatient Treatment Center for Alcohol …
Lasting Recovery– San Diego's premier outpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment center, has been accredited for three years for its Adult Intensive Outpatient Treatment and Partial Hospitalization: Alcohol and Other Drugs and Integrated AOD …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Lohan's new rehab center has no drug or alcohol treatment license
The Newport Beach rehab facility which Lindsay Lohan entered Thursday as part of her sentence for lying to police in a reckless driving case has no license to provide alcohol or drug treatment as required by the judge, officials said Thursday. The …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

A Drug Rehab Facility's Unconventional Approach to Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Recovery Associates is a drug and alcohol treatment center that provides a variety of programs and services for men, women and teens struggling with chemical dependency issues. At the core of their philosophy is the belief that addiction is a treatable …
Read more on PR Web (press release)