Was Death of Ex-Embed Related to Iraq Experience

[donsu]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2082210

Dennis O'Brien, a military reporter with The Virginian-Pilot and a former Iraq war embed who died over the weekend, apparently committed suicide, according to sources in and outside the paper -- sparking speculation that his war experience might have contributed to his death.

-snip-

"I think it was a contributing factor," said one colleague, who requested anonymity. "He saw some awful things while he was over there. I saw things get worse when he got back. He did tell people it was an awful experience."

-snip-

O'Brien wrote about his war experiences in a July 27, 2003, story in the Virginian-Pilot: "I lost 30 pounds, and 4 inches off my waist. I also probably lost a little of my mind, but it's coming back -- I hope. I'm just glad that's all I lost.

"I can't tell you how many times the sailors and Marines told me I was crazy. They couldn't believe I volunteered for this. Never mind that they also had volunteered -- and for much longer tours of duty.

"They were just doing their job, they said. And I was doing mine."

-snip-

In the paper's story Sunday, Addis said: "Dennis was a talented and committed journalist who touched people around the globe with his dispatches from Iraq." O'Brien wrote 67 stories during his coverage of the war "that gave a unique, up-close look at the war through the eyes of those on the front lines," she added.
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Bring The Troops Home Now

[Cooley Hurd]

1. NBC's David Bloom...

...one of the few good reporters NBC had, also lost his life because of his experiance of being an embedded reporter (although his was physiological)...

[DenverDem]

2. His was physiological

as far as we know.

Lots of "suicides" lately.

Things that make you go "hmmm".

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Good point...

According to all sources, Bloom, at 39, was in excellent shape.