KURT COBAIN:

MURDERED
First Edition (Sep. 24 20!
Rese"r#$ Co%pi&ed '( Brend"n )*nt
C)A+TER 0 , Introduction
C)A+TER , Friends Say Kurt was not Suicidal
C)A+TER 2 , Attempted Murder
C)A+TER - , Events Surrounding Kurt's Death
C)A+TER 4 , The "Suicide" ote
C)A+TER . , A!termath
C)A+TER / , The "olice #eports
C)A+TER 0 , More Mysterious Deaths
C)A+TER 1 , The $e% o! &ies
C)A+TER 2 , Tom 'rant 'oes "u%lic
C)A+TER 0 , (ourtney's Father
C)A+TER , El Duce
C)A+TER 2 , )nsolved Mysteries
C)A+TER - , )n*nown Sources
C)A+TER 4 , "ossi%le Suspects
C)A+TER . , (onclusions
INTRODUCTION
K*rt Don"&d Co'"in3 &e"d sin4er o5 t$e '"nd Nir6"n"3 7"s 5o*nd de"d "t $is
Se"tt&e $o%e on Apri& 1t$3 224. T$e po&i#e #&"i% $e 7"s 8i&&ed '( " se&5,in5&i#ted
4*ns$ot 7o*nd to t$e $e"d. A n*%'er o5 K*rt9s #&ose 5riends3 $o7e6er3 sti&& $"6e
n"44in4 do*'ts "'o*t 7$et$er $e 7o*&d #o%%it s*i#ide3 &e"6in4 'e$ind " '"'( d"*4$ter
7$o% $e #$eris$ed.
Ann" :oo&6erston is " Se"tt&e %*si# ;o*rn"&ist 7$o #o6ered Co'"in 5or (e"rs in
se6er"& %*si# p*'&i#"tions in#&*din4 t$e Ro#8et "nd A&tern"ti6e +ress (s$e no7 7or8s "t
S*' +op Re#ords!. <I #ert"in&( 7o*&dn9t r*&e o*t %*rder3< s"(s :oo&6erston. <)e 7"s
#re%"ted so t$ere9s not %*#$ o5 t$e 'od( to in6esti4"te '*t I 5ind it 6er( str"n4e t$"t $e
7o*&d t"8e $is o7n &i5e 'e#"*se $e &o6ed $is d"*4$ter so %*#$. )e &i6ed 5or $er.< (4!
T$e Co'"in %*rder in6esti4"tion de6e&oped 5ro% t$e 5irst,$"nd 8no7&ed4e "nd
e=perien#es o5 not one3 '*t two peop&e 7$o 7ere very close to t$e sit*"tion,,To% >r"nt3
t$e pri6"te in6esti4"tor 7$o 7"s $ired '( t$e 6i#ti%?s 7i5e3 "nd Rose%"r( C"rro&&3 t$e
"ttorne( "nd person"& 5riend o5 'ot$ t$e pri%e s*spe#t "nd t$e 6i#ti%. (3 p4./-! T$is
'oo8 "i%s to pro6e3 'e(ond do*'t3 t$"t K*rt Co'"in is not 4*i&t( o5 s*i#ide. T$e e6iden#e
7i&& s$o7 t$"t K*rt9s 7i5e3 Co*rtne( @o6e3 p&otted to $"6e $i% %*rdered3 7it$ possi'&e
"ssist"n#e 5ro% $er #&ose "sso#i"te3 Mi#$"e& 9C"&i9 De:itt (C"&i 7"s $ired '( t$e
Co'"in9s in 22- "s " n"nn( 5or t$eir d"*4$ter Fr"n#es Be"n!.
T$e 5o&&o7in4 is " &ist o5 re5eren#es *pon 7$i#$ I #ite "nd '"se %( proo5s:
AB >r"nt3 To%. T$e Co'"in C"se M"n*"&
T$e testi%on( o5 To% >r"nt (t$e pri6"te in6esti4"tor $ired '( Co*rtne(! is o5
*t%ost i%port"n#e in t$is #"se. )is "&&e4"tions "re '"#8ed *p '( t"ped p$one
#on6ers"tions o5 'ot$ Co*rtne( @o6e "nd $er entert"in%ent &"7(er3 Rose%"r( C"rro&&.
A2B B"rnett3 Fr"n#es. K*rt :"s Not S*i#id"&
Fr"n#es B"rnett 7"s "n independent rese"r#$er 5ro% En4&"nd. S$e %"int"ined "
7e'site "'o*t t$is #"se *nti& t$e %id 20009s. Fr"n#es *ses #it"tions 5or "&& $er
in5or%"tion. )er 7or8 #ont"ins e=#erpts 5ro% %"instre"% ne7s "rti#&es 7$i#$ %i4$t
$"6e re%"ined '*ried in ti%e i5 not 5or $er %eti#*&o*s rese"r#$. Fr"n#es #&"i%ed $er
re"& 5irst n"%e 7"s S*e3 '*t I $"6e re"son to 'e&ie6e t$"t <Fr"n#es B"rnett< is "
pse*don(% re5eren#in4 t$e re"&,&i5e person Fr"n#es F"r%er (B"rnCF"r%!. Fr"n#es
B"rnett dropped o55 t$e r"d"r s*dden&(3 "nd $er 7e'site $"s sin#e 'een s$*t do7n.
A-B :"&&"#e3 M"= "nd )"&perin3 I"n. :$o Ki&&ed K*rt Co'"inD
:"&&"#e "nd )"&perin 4"ined "##ess to %"n( o5 K*rt9s #&ose 5riends "nd
#ond*#ted inter6ie7s 7it$ "&%ost e6er(one in6o&6ed in t$is #"se. T$e( "&so 7rote &ove
and Death ("n *pd"ted 6ersion o5 $ho Killed Kurt (o%ain+!T$eir rese"r#$ $"s
*n#o6ered %"n( d"%nin4 pie#es o5 e6iden#e3 in#&*din4 " $"nd7ritin4 s"%p&e <pr"#ti#e<
p"4e 5o*nd in Co*rtne(9s '"4 '( $er &"7(er3 Rose%"r( C"rro&&.
T$e rest o5 t$e &ist #ont"ins 'oo8s3 %"instre"% %edi" ne7s "rti#&es3 "nd
"ddition"& 7or8s '( Fr"n#es B"rnett "nd :"&&"#e E )"&perin. Ot$er "rti#&es "re
re5eren#ed indi6id*"&&( t$ro*4$o*t t$e te=t:
A4B Ro&&in4 Stone editors. Co'"in
A.B Me&od( M"8er , Apri& /3 224
A/B T$o%pson3 D"6e. Ne6er F"de A7"(
A0B Se"tt&e Ti%es , M"( 3 224
A1B Se"tt&e +ost Inte&&i4en#er , Apri& .3 224
A2B Se"tt&e +ost Inte&&i4en#er , Apri& 43 224
A0B B"rnett3 Fr"n#es. E&don )o8e AKA E& D*#e
AB )i4$ Ti%es , Apri& 92/ , Ste6e B&oo% "nd Ti% Kenne"&&(
A2B B"rnett3 Fr"n#es. Kristen +5"55
A-B Mo;o Iss*e .43 M"( 221 , :$o Ki&&ed K*rt Co'"inD
A4B C"n"di"n Dis83 F*ne 22.3 $"&perin , #o'"in
A.B S$i5t M"4"Gine Sep 220 , 7$"ts &o6e 4ot to do 7it$ itD
A/B 221 Ro&&in4 Stones "rti#&es , Anni @"(ne (possi'&( ot$ers "s 7e&&!
A0B B"rnett3 Fr"n#es. T$e Ro%e In#ident
A1B Ne6er%ind t$e B"r'it*"tes3 Mi#8 :"&&
A2B Friend Inno#ent&( Bo*4$t S$ot4*n 5or Co'"in
A20B )e"6ier t$"n )e"6en , C"ro&(nn A#ierno
A2B )o7 did K*rt Co'"in DieD Toronto S*n
A22B :"s K*rt Co'"in M*rderedD ('e&4i"n ne7s!
A2-B B"rnett3 Fr"n#es. Unn"%ed So*r#es o5 Co*rtne( @o6e
A24B @o6e "nd De"t$ $"&perinH7"&&"#e
A2.B S"n5ord3 C$ristop$er K*rt Co'"in 22/
A2/B B"rnett3 Fr"n#es Ti%e&ine o5 E6ents
A20B Mo;o3 M"( 200
C)A+TER , EIIDENCE T)AT KURT :AS NOT SUICIDA@
In t$e s*%%er o5 22-3 K*rt e=perien#ed 7$"t $e #"&&ed <" %ir"#&e<. A5ter (e"rs
o5 #ons*&tin4 spe#i"&ists "'o*t $is de'i&it"tin4 sto%"#$ p"in3 $e 5o*nd " do#tor 7$o
5in"&&( di"4nosed t$e pro'&e% , " pin#$ed ner6e re&"tin4 to $is s#o&iosis. On#e t$e
pro'&e% 7"s di"4nosed3 it 'e#"%e tre"t"'&e "nd K*rt 5in"&&( rid $i%se&5 o5 $is d"i&(
"4on(. Fro% t$is point on3 %"n( peop&e dete#ted " #$"n4e in K*rt9s person"&it(. )is
#&osest 5riend3 D(&"n C"r&son3 s"id3 <K*rt 'e#"%e " ne7 person "5ter t$"t. )e stopped
retre"tin4 into t$e d"r8 side t$"t e6er('od( #"%e to "sso#i"te 7it$ $i% "nd "#t*"&&(
see%ed #$eer5*&. +"rt o5 it 7"s Fr"n#es3 I t$in83 '*t t$e sto%"#$ t$in4 7"s t$e %ost
i%port"nt< (-3 p4.1/!. K*rt Co'"in &i6ed 5or t7ent(,se6en (e"rs3 so%e o5 7$i#$ 7ere
'&i4$ted '( e=#r*#i"tin4 sto%"#$ p"ins3 '*t $e %"n"4ed to 4et tre"t%ent 5or t$"t
pro'&e%. )e s*r6i6ed. (0!
Re5errin4 to t$e d"(s prior to K*rt Co'"in9s de"t$3 Co*rtne( &"ter to&d t$e %edi"3
<E6er('od( 8ne7 $e 7"s 4oin4 to dieJ< (3 p4.1! S$e 7"nted peop&e to 'e&ie6e K*rt $"d
"n o*t,o5,#ontro& dr*4 dependen#( d*rin4 t$e &"st d"(s o5 $is &i5e. (2! O5 "&& t$e p$on(
stories #on#o#ted "nd spre"d '( Co*rtne( @o6e3 t$is p"rti#*&"r &ie '&inded t$e e(es o5
t$e "*t$orities3 t$e %edi"3 "nd %ost o5 t$e p*'&i#. It $e&ped %"8e Co*rtne( @o6e " 6er(
rich 7ido7. @et?s see 7$"t K*rt3 "nd t$ose #&ose to $i%3 $"d to s"( "'o*t t$ese so,#"&&ed
Ks*i#id"& tenden#iesL d*rin4 t$e d"(s3 7ee8s "nd %ont$s &e"din4 *p to $is *nti%e&(
de"t$. (3 p4./1!
<I?6e 'een "s8ed repe"ted&( i5 K*rt 7"s on dr*4s 7$i&e I 7"s t$ere Ad*rin4
sessions 5or t$e In Utero "&'*%B. And I?6e 'een "ro*nd peop&e 7$o *se dope " &ot3 "nd
on t$e one $"nd I 8no7 $o7 t$e( 'e$"6e "nd on t$e ot$er I 8no7 $o7 de#epti6e t$e(
#"n 'e. And %( 'est esti%"te 7"s t$"t3 no3 $e 7"sn?t3 $e 7"s 'ein4 6er( prod*#ti6e.
T$"t 7"s " period o5 $is &i5e 7$ere $e 7"s 6er( 5o#*sed. )e 7"s 5o#*sed on %"8in4 t$is
re#ord "nd $e didn?t 7"nt to &et t$e ot$er 4*(s do7n. )e 7"s #o%%itted to t$e t"s8. )e
7"s "s so'er M "nd I *se t$"t "d;e#ti6e to %e"n serio*s M "s "n('od( I?6e e6er
7or8ed 7it$ in t$e st*dio.L A20B
<I5 K*rt 7"s *sin4 $eroin 7$i&e $e 7"s "ro*nd %e3 $e $id it 7e&&. In Se"tt&e &"st
s*%%er (o5 22-! $e 7"s "&ert "nd $"pp(N< (>"6in Ed7"rds3 F*ne 224 edition o5
Det"i&s %"4"Gine!.
<A5ter tr(in4 e6er(t$in4 5or $is sto%"#$ 5ro% pi&&s to " 6e4et"ri"n diet to "
#$"ntin4 re4i%e3 K*rt is e#st"ti# to $"6e 5o*nd " do#tor 7$o?s pres#ri'in4 $i% "n
e=peri%ent"& 4"strointestin"& %edi#ine t$"t 7or8s. )e s"(s $e doesn?t 7"nt to 4i6e t$e
n"%e 'e#"*se t$e %edi#ine $"sn?t "#t*"&&( 'een "ppro6ed '( t$e FDA3 '*t it?s red*#ed
$is sto%"#$ episodes "&%ost "s e55e#ti6e&( "s $eroin. 9B*t no7 i5 I t"8e $eroin it %"8es
%e 6o%it ri4$t "7"(3 so t$"t doesn?t do "n( 4ood9.< (Det"i&s3 No6e%'er 22-. T$is
inter6ie7 d"tes to F*&( 22-.!
KI ne6er 7ent o*t o5 %( 7"( to s"( "n(t$in4 "'o*t %( dr*4 *se. I didn?t 7"nt
so%e .,(e"r,o&d 8id 7$o &i8es o*r '"nd to t$in8 it?s #oo& to do $eroin. I t$in8 peop&e 7$o
4&"%oriGe dr*4s "re 5*#8in4 not 6er( ni#e peop&e "nd i5 t$ere?s " $e&&3 t$e(?&& 4o t$ereL.
(K*rt3 Me&od( M"8er?s A*4 21 22- edition!.
KI?% not in "n(7"( "5r"id o5 de"t$...I?% "5r"id o5 d(in4 no73 I don?t 7"nt to &e"6e
'e$ind %( 7i5e "nd #$i&d3 so I don?t do t$in4s t$"t 7o*&d ;eop"rdise %( &i5e. I tr( to do "s
&itt&e t$in4s "s I #"n to ;eop"rdise it. I don?t 7"nt to dieL. (K*rt3 T$e F"#e3 Sept 22-
edition!
<)e AK*rtB 7"s 6er( open3 6er( $onest "nd see%in4&( 6er( $"pp(. )e "&so
see%ed #&e"n. I 8no7 it see%s str"n4e in t$e &i4$t o5 K*rt?s Ro%e o6erdose "nd I e6en
"s8ed p$oto4r"p$er M"r8 @ei"&o$" i5 $e t$o*4$t t$e s"%e. )e "4reed t$"t K*rt see%ed
$"ppier "nd #&e"ner t$"n 7e?d seen $i% or 8no7n $i% to 'e.< s"id Ste55"n C$ir"Gi3
#o%%entin4 on $is %eetin4 7it$ K*rt "t t$e O%ni Aren"3 At&"nt"3 No6e%'er 22-
(Kerr"n4?s Apri& 2- 224 edition!. KK*rt did not see% e6en %i&d&( depressed3 &et "&one
s*i#id"&...T$e 7$o&e e6enin4 in At&"nt" t*rned o*t to 'e one o5 t$e 'est ni4$ts o5 t$e
(e"rO " 4re"t s$o73 " re&"=ed post,4i4 "t%osp$ere3 no '*&&n*ts3 ;*st " 4ood 6i'e.L
Ste55"n C$ir"Gi inter6ie7ed K*rt in No6e%'er 22-3 res*&tin4 in "n "rti#&e
p*'&is$ed in Kerr"n4?s De#e%'er 22- edition. C$ir"Gi reported t$"t "t Nir6"n"?s
No6e%'er 22- 4i4 "t t$e O%ni Aren" in At&"nt" $e %et K*rt '"#8st"4e: 9Fr"n#es Be"n
is 7"nderin4 t$e pre%ises 7it$ " 'e"%in4 s%i&e 5or e6er(one. Soon K*rt 7i&& &o6in4&(3
p"tient&( 5eed $er so%e %"#"roni #$eese dinner 5or " &"te ni4$t sn"#83 'e5ore #*dd&in4
$er "nd t"&8in4 P*iet&( in $er e"r....<I?% not 4oin4 to s"( " d"%n 7ord "'o*t it 'ein4
to*4$O I?% $"6in4 t$e 'est ti%e o5 %( &i5eJL &"*4$s Co'"in...9
In "n inter6ie7 7it$ K*rt p*'&is$ed F"n*"r(3 224 in Ro&&in4 Stone3 D"6id Fri#8e
"s8s3 KOne o5 t$e son4s t$"t (o* #*t 5ro% QIn Utero? "t t$e &"st %in*te 7"s QI )"te M(se&5
And :"nt To Die.? )o7 &iter"&&( did (o* %e"n itDL K*rt "ns7ers:
,As literal as a -o*e can %e. othing more than a -o*e. And that has to do with
why we too* it o!!. $e *new people wouldn/t get it0 they/d ta*e it too seriously. It was
totally satirical1 ma*ing !un o! ourselves. I/m thought o! as this pissy1 complaining1
!rea*ed2out schi3ophrenic who wants to *ill himsel! all the time. 45e isn/t satis!ied with
anything./ And I thought it was a !unny title. I wanted it to %e the title o! the al%um !or a
long time. 6ut I *new the ma-ority o! the people wouldn/t understand it.7 (3 p4./1! In t$is
inter6ie73 it is e6ident t$"t K*rt 7"s #on#erned "'o*t $is 5"ns 4ettin4 t$e 7ron4
i%pression 5ro% s*#$ " pro6o#"ti6e tit&e.
KIt $"s 'een " (e"r3 "&%ost to t$e d"(3 sin#e I inter6ie7ed K*rt. At t$e ti%e3 $e
to&d %e $e 7"s $"ppier t$"n $e $"d e6er 'een. And 5r"n8&(3 I 'e&ie6ed $i%.L D"6id
Fri#8e3 Ro&&in4 Stone?s De#e%'er 4 224 edition.
In t$e M"r#$ 2t$ edition o5 Me&od( M"8er3 E6erett Tr*e #o%%ented on K*rt?s
dr*4 "n "&#o$o& #ons*%ption "s 5o&&o7s: KA&t$o*4$ it?s no se#ret t$"t in t$e p"st K*rt
Co'"in $"s t"8en dr*4s3 so%eti%es to e=#ess3 t$e &"st ti%e 7e %et (in Se"tt&e3 &"st
De#e%'er ,22-!3 $e see%ed #o%p&ete&( K#&e"nL. T$"t is3 $e 7"s #&e"n3 opti%isti# "nd
$"ppier t$"n $e?d 'een 5or (e"rs....I 8ne7 t$"t $e?d #*t do7n on $is dr*4 t"8in4 5or "
7$i&e....)e $"dn?t t"8en "&#o$o& in "n( serio*s P*"ntit( 5or se6er"& (e"rs3 t$"t?s 5or s*re.L
Sin4er3 +ete S$e&&e(3 7$ose '"nd T$e B*GG#o#8s opened so%e o5 t$e e"r&(
d"tes on Nir6"n"?s 224 E*rope"n to*r3 s"id t$"t3 #ontr"r( to r*%o*rs3 Co'"in $"d
"ppe"red to 'e in 4ood $e"&t$ "nd re"son"'&( $i4$ spirits. KOn t$e 5irst d"te in @is'on3
$e #"%e into t$e dressin4 roo% "nd st"rted #$"ttin4. I5 "n(t$in43 7$i&e t$e rest o5 *s
7ere 4ettin4 into "&& sorts o5 de'"*#$er(3 $e 7o*&d ;*st 7is$ *s " 4ood ni4$t "nd 4o o55
5or "n e"r&( ni4$t3L +ete re%"r8ed.(1! <)e see%ed re"&&( #&e"n 7$en 7e 7ere on to*r.
In so%e 7"(s it 7"s " 'it "787"rd 'e#"*se $e 7"sn9t re"&&( ;oinin4 in t$e 6er( %i&d
de'"*#$er( t$"t 7ent on.< (.!
B"ssist Ton( B"r'er to&d Me&od( M"8er3 <I 8no7 $e 7"s not t"8in4 dr*4s on t$"t
to*r. )e 7"s 7"&8in4 "ro*nd drin8in4 E6i"n 7"ter "nd &oo8in4 #&e"n e6er( ti%e I s"7
$i%. )e didn9t see% to #onsider $i%se&5 " st"r...)e see%ed &i8e " s$( '&o8e 7$o didn9t
$"6e %"n( 5riends. O5ten 7$en I 7"s t"&8in4 to $i%3 I 5e&t &i8e s"(in4 so%et$in4 &i8e3
9@oo83 i5 (o* need " %"te ;*st to 4o 5or " drin8 7it$ or "n(t$in43 I9% $ere.9 And t$en I
#"%e $o%e &"st ni4$t "nd s"7 it on t$e ne7s. I #o*&dn9t 'e&ie6e it. It9s ;*st so s"d.< (.!
<:$en $e t"&8ed to %e $e see%ed to 'e $"pp(3< s"id K*rt9s 4r"nd%ot$er Iris
Co'"in3 re%e%'erin4 " p$one #on6ers"tion s$e $"d 7it$ $i% 2 7ee8s 'e5ore $is de"t$.
In t$is #"&&3 K*rt "rr"n4ed to 4o 5is$in4 7it$ $is 4r"nd5"t$er t$e 5o&&o7in4 7ee8. (-3
p4.2!.
In " Septe%'er 22/ edition o5 +$otostor( (Fren#$ p*'&i#"tion! K*rt9s
p$oto4r"p$er 5riend3 Ro*ri @enP*ette e=p&"ins $o7 $e s$o7ed K*rt $is pi#t*res o5
C"%'odi". K*rt 'e#"%e interested "nd @enP*ette "s8ed i5 $e 7o*&d &i8e to 4o to
C"%'odi" 7$en t$e In Utero E*rope"n to*r o5 Fe'HM"r#$ 224 ended. K*rt 7"s 6er(
ent$*si"sti# "nd "s8ed @enP*ette $o7 $e #o*&d 4o "'o*t 4ettin4 " 6is". Ro*ri s"id t$"t
peop&e s$o*&dn?t 'e&ie6e K*rt 7"s "&7"(s s"d3 'e#"*se $e $"d " &ot o5 $*%o*r "nd
ne6er %entioned s*i#ide to Ro*ri.
A do#tor 7$o tre"ted K*rt in Ro%e s"id3 <T$e &"st i%"4e I $"6e o5 $i%3 7$i#$ in
t$e &i4$t o5 t$e tr"4ed( no7 see%s p"t$eti#3 is o5 " (o*n4 %"n p&"(in4 7it$ t$e &itt&e 4ir&
(Fr"n#es!. )e did not see% &i8e " (o*n4 %"n 7$o 7"nted to end it "&&.< (3 p4.0.!. For
%ore in5or%"tion on t$e Ro%e in#ident3 see C$"pter 2.
C$"r&es +eterson3 " p$oto4r"p$er "nd "sso#i"te o5 K*rt3 7"s P*oted in "n
inter6ie7 "'o*t Nir6"n"9s Smells &i*e Teen Spirit %*si# 6ideo. <:$"t sti#8s in %( %ind
is "#t*"&&( r*nnin4 into $i% on t$e street "'o*t 2 7ee8s *%3 'e5ore $e3 $e 8i&&ed $i%se&5.
And it 7"s ;*st3 (o* 8no73 I 4*ess in re&"tion to e6ents3 I9% 4&"d t$"t I did3 I9% 4&"d t$"t I
s"7 $i%. :e t"&8ed "nd $e3 7e e=#$"n4ed p$one n*%'ers "nd $e 7"s re"&&( $"pp(
"'o*t t$e 5"#t t$e 'oo83 %( 'oo8 o5 p$oto4r"p$s t$"t I9% doin43 $e 7"s &i8eO 9A&ri4$t3 "t
&"st39 (o* 8no73 94et t$e re"& t$in4.9 And $e 7"s,,7e #$"tted "nd $e 7"s #on#erned
"'o*t %( 7i5e9s i&&ness "nd ;*st re"&&(3 (o* 8no73 t$"t sti#8s in %( %ind.< (QNir6"n"3 Teen
Spirit3 A Tri'*te to K*rt Co'"in? Iideo!
In "n AO@ C$"t Roo% on M"r#$ 20t$3 K*rt posted " %ess"4e to $is 5"ns:
"So this is the In!ormation 5ighway our illustrious 8" has %een -awing to
the nation a%out. $ell1 my manager told me some *ind o! !an2thing was going down
here and that I should come over and chec* it out. $ell1 here I am. I'd %e lying i! I said
I'm not surprised to see the %and's popularity reaching even into the depths o! the
electronic underworld. (ool.
"$ell I won't *eep you people long1 %ut I thought you might %e interested in what
the %and is up to. &ast month (hris1 me1 and Dave came out o! &ondon 6ridge !inishing
up a revamped ""ennyroyal Tea" 9I didn't much care !or how we did the al%um version
and thought we could've done much %etter with the song:. 'e!!en should have that out
shortly1 *nowing the speed with which their money machine rolls.
"$e're all ta*ing a %rea* !rom the music and touring !or a %it. I'm still a little
!rea*ed over the #ome thing and need some time to rest and get over it1 you'd thin* they
could ma*e a good mil*sha*e1 %ut no. 5ope you people are ready !or a calmer moodier
al%um. ;ep1 irvana's going %ac* into the studio at the end o! the summer. I'm already
wor*ing on the new songs and artwor* !or the new al%um. I! you're e<pecting the same
verse2chorus2verse1 well1 I suppose you have %ut two choices1 don't %uy the new al%um
when it's released in early '=> or get used to the !act that the %and is changing.
&ongevity !ol*s." (/3 p4.!
In t$is 5in"& %ess"4e $is 5"ns3 K*rt e=pressed e=#ite%ent t$"t Nir6"n"9s %*si#
7"s 'ein4 dis#*ssed on&ine. )e %entions " son4 $e ;*st re,re#orded 7it$ $is
'"nd%"tes. )e 7"s 7or8in4 on t$e "rt7or8 "nd son4s 5or " ne7 "&'*% 7it$ " *niP*e
so*nd. 5e was loo*ing !orward to the !uture. T$is post 7"s %"de ;*st " 5e7 d"(s 'e5ore
$e died.
D(&"n C"r&son3 K*rt9s #&osest 5riend3 to&d +ri6"te In6esti4"tor To% >r"nt t$"t K*rt
7"s not s*i#id"&. )e "&so to&d " reporter 5or t$e Se"tt&e Ti%es t$e s"%e t$in4. (3
p4./1H0! <K*rt 7"s 5"#in4 &ots o5 prett( $e"6( t$in4s '*t $e 7"s "#t*"&&( prett( *p'e"t.
)e 7"s prep"red to de"& 7it$ t$in4s 5"#in4 $i%.< (1!. <At t$e ti%e (7e 7ent to '*( t$e
4*n3 -0 M"r#$ 224!3 K*rt de5inite&( 7"sn9t s*i#id"& or I 7o*&d ne6er $"6e 'o*4$t t$e
4*n. )e 7"s %( 'est 5riend. I 7o*&d $"6e 8no7n i5 Ro%e 7"s " s*i#ide. No 7"(. A (e"r
e"r&ier I 7o*&d $"6e 'e&ie6ed it 'e#"*se o5 t$e p"in3 '*t $e 7"sn9t t"&8in4 &i8e t$"t
"n(%ore. )e 7"s %"8in4 "&& 8inds o5 p&"ns 5or 7$en $e 4ot '"#8 5ro% re$"'.< (-3 p4.2!.
K*rt spent t7o d"(s "t t$e E=od*s re$"' #&ini# in @os An4e&es. )e t"&8ed to
se6er"& ps(#$o&o4ists t$ere3 none o5 7$o% #onsidered $i% s*i#id"&. Foe M"%" 6isited
K*rt "t t$e #&ini# on Apri& 3 2243 )e s"id3 <I 7"s re"d( to see $i% &oo8in4 &i8e s$it "nd
depressed. )e &oo8ed so 5*#8in4 4re"t.< (43 p4.1-H"&so see Rossi9s S*een o5 Noise
p4.2-!. Ot$ers 7$o s"7 "nd spo8e to K*rt "t t$e re$"' #enter in @os An4e&es "nd "t
t$e "irport s$ort&( 'e5ore $is de"t$ s"id $e 7"s *p'e"t3 5riend&( "nd didn?t "ppe"r to 'e
depressed "t "&&. (3 p4./1!
To% >r"nt spent so%e ti%e 7it$ M"r8 @"ne4"n3 "not$er o5 K*rt?s 4ood 5riends.
M"r8 7"s $e&pin4 To% "nd D(&"n &oo8 5or K*rt 'e5ore $is 'od( 7"s dis#o6ered. M"r8
didn?t t$in8 K*rt 7"s s*i#id"& eit$er3 "nd "5ter Co'"in?s de"t$3 $e to&d " 7riter 5or Ro&&in4
Stone M"4"Gine3 KI ne6er 8ne7 K*rt to 'e s*i#id"&. I ;*st 8ne7 t$"t $e 7"s 4oin4 t$ro*4$
" re"&&( to*4$ ti%e.L (3 p4./1H43 p4.20!.
A5ter K*rt9s 'od( 7"s 5o*nd3 Krist No6ose&i# (t$e '"ssist 5or Nir6"n"! responded
to t$e ne7s o5 t$e s*pposed s*i#ide '( s"(in43 <S%"#8 7"s ;*st " s%"&& p"rt o5 $is &i5e.<
Krist &"%ented t$"t $e did not *nderst"nd $is 5riend9s 'e$"6ior. <I don9t $"6e it "&& 5i4*red
o*t ri4$t no73< $e s"id. (2! T$ose "ren9t t$e re"#tions one 7o*&d e=pe#t i5 Krist 8ne7
K*rt 7"s s*i#id"&3 dr*4 dependent3 or p&"nnin4 to 8i&& $i%se&5. (2!
Rose%"r( C"rro&&3 one o5 t$e Co'"in "ttorne(s "nd " #&ose 5riend o5 'ot$
Co*rtne( and K*rt3 s#o55ed "t t$e ide" t$"t K*rt 7"s3 Ks*i#id"&.L I5 7e?re to 'e&ie6e
Co*rtne( @o6e "nd %ost o5 t$e stories s$e 4ot p*'&is$ed3 K*rt "&&e4ed&( K7"nted to 8i&&
$i%se&5 e6er( d"(JL :$( didn9t "n( o5 $is #&ose 5riends noti#eD (3 p4./1H-3 p4.2!
<T$e t$in4 (o* $"6e to re%e%'er "'o*t "&& t$e t"&8 o5 K*rt 'ein4 s*i#id"& is t$"t
"&& t$e t"&8 on&( st"rted 7$en Co*rtne( #"%e o*t "5ter t$e de"t$ "nd s"id Ro%e 7"s "
s*i#ide "tte%pt "nd t$e %edi" pi#8ed *p on "&& $er e="%p&es o5 K*rt 'ein4 s*i#id"&.
T$"t9s 7$en "&& t$ese peop&e st"rted s"(in439O5 #o*rse $e 7"s s*i#id"&3 ;*st &isten to $is
%*si#.9 B*t t$"t9s " '*n#$ o5 #r"p. S*re $e 7"s " %ood( 4*( "nd 4ot depressed P*ite
o5ten. T$"t "pp&ies to " $e&& o5 " &ot o5 peop&e3 in#&*din4 %e. B*t no'od( e6er t"&8ed
"'o*t K*rt 'ein4 s*i#id"& 'e5ore $e died3 No'od(. :$( do (o* t$in8 e6er('od( 7$o
8ne7 $i% 7"s so s*rprised 7$en Co*rtne( s"id t$"t Ro%e 7"s " s*i#ide "tte%ptD. I96e
re"d "&& t$is i4nor"nt '*&&s$it in t$e %edi" pointin4 to t$e 5"#t t$"t K*rt 7"nted to #"&& In
Utero 9I )"te M(se&5 "nd I :"nt to Die.9 It 7"s " ;o8e3 5or #$riss"8e. T$"t 7"s $is 7"rped
sense o5 $*%o*r. )e 7"s t$e %ost s"r#"sti# 4*( (o*9&& e6er %eet. )e 7"s not s*i#id"&3
"t &e"st not 7$en I 8ne7 $i%3 "nd I 8ne7 $i% 5or t$e &"st (e"r o5 $is &i5e.< , +eter C&e"r(3
" 5riend o5 K*rt?s 5ro% Se"tt&e (-3 p4.22!.
KTo %( 8no7&ed4e I ne6er s"7 $i% $i4$. T$e t$ree or 5o*r ti%es I $"d &on4
#on6ers"tions 7it$ K*rt $e see%ed t$e %ost so'er person on e"rt$.L (+eter B*#83
NME?s Septe%'er 24 224 edition!. E6en Co*rtne( $"d to "d%it KK*rt 7"s no7$ere
ne"r t$e ;*n8ie peop&e p"int $i% "sL. (Co*rtne(3 Io=?s Fe' 220 edition!.
C)A+TER 2 , ATTEM+TED MURDER
On M"( 23 22-3 Co*rtne( @o6e in;e#ted K*rt 7it$ "n i&&e4"& dr*4 "nd 5or#e 5ed
$i% %ore pi&&s. T$e po&i#e &"ter $e&ped #o6er t$is *p. Copies o5 t$e 5o&&o7in4 po&i#e report
7ere o't"ined t$ro*4$ t$e Freedo% O5 In5or%"tion A#t. T$e &ines "nd P*estion %"r8s
indi#"te 7ords3 senten#es3 "nd "n entire p"r"4r"p$ 7$i#$ 7"s '&"#8ed o*t '( t$e
Se"tt&e +o&i#e prior to re&e"sin4 t$e report to t$e p*'&i#. (3 p4./2!
SEATTLE POLICE REPORT: Drug Overdose Incident #93-9!9"
,?n >2@A2=BCADDD 5rs1 #?s were dispatched to DDB@D &a*eside Ave. .E. in response
to a drug overdose. Fire arrived simultaneously with #?s and entered premise a!ter it
was cleared %y #?s. #? contacted (C$EEEEEEEE who said 98C(o%ain: had %een at a
!riends house A hrs earlier where he had in-ected himsel! with FB@.@@2 FG@.@@ worth o!
heroin. 5e then drove home to the address o! the incident and stayed in his
roomC(C$EEEEEEEEE 9+: $1CEEEEEEEE1 and $ACEEEEEEEEEEE told #?s his physical
condition gradually deteriorated to the point that he was sha*ing1 %ecame !lushed1
delirious and tal*ed incoherently. (C$EEEEEEEE said she 9+: + + + + + + + + + +EE EE+ +
EEE+EEE+ H%rI + + EEE+ + +EE EE EE+ + +EEEE+ +EE EE + + + +E+ + + + + + + +EEEE+
EEEE (C$EEEEE said this type o! incident had happened %e!ore to 8C(o%ain.7 (3 p4./2!
T$ere 7"s ne6er "n( P*estion t$"t t$is in6o&6ed "n accidental o6erdose.
Co*rtne( @o6e $"s spo8en open&( "'o*t t$is in#ident sin#e Co'"in?s de"t$ "nd
#on6in#ed se6er"& 4*&&i'&e ;o*rn"&ists t$"t $er $eroi# e55orts s"6ed K*rt?s &i5e. So $o7 did
s$e s"6e $i%D :$"t in5or%"tion 7"s #ont"ined in t$"t p"r"4r"p$ '&o#8ed o*t '( t$e
po&i#eD Ro* %"( 5ind it $"rd to 'e&ie6e3 '*t t$is po&i#e report "#t*"&&( s"(s Co*rtne(
(#&"i%in4 s$e 7"s tr(in4 to re6i6e K*rt! in;e#ted $i% 7it$ B*prenorp$ine. S$e "&so 5or#e
5ed $i% I"&i*%3 Codeine,'"sed T(&eno&3 7$i#$ "&so #ont"ins A#et"%inop$en3 "nd
Benedr(&. (3 p4.00!
B*prenorp$ine is espe#i"&&( &et$"& 7$en #o%'ined 7it$ I"&i*%. Codeine is "n
opi"te. Co*rtne( reported&( 4"6e K*rt 4 pi&&s (-2 %4!3 7$i#$ *ndo*'ted&( "dded
si4ni5i#"nt&( to $is tot"& opi"te t$res$o&d. Benedr(& is '"si#"&&( "n "nti,$ist"%ine3 "nd is
7e&& 8no7n to prod*#e " 6"riet( o5 ne4"ti6e #o%p&i#"tions 7$en #o%'ined $"p$"G"rd&(
7it$ ot$er dr*4s. T$e #o%'in"tion o5 "&& t$ese "ddition"& dr*4s 7o*&d $"6e %"de
Co'"in?s #ondition much 7orse "nd 7o*&d $"6e end"n4ered $is &i5e. (3 p4.00!
T$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e '&"#8ed o*t t$is p"r"4r"p$ to #on#e"& ne4&i4ent po&i#e 7or8 in
t$eir so,#"&&ed <in6esti4"tion< o5 K*rt9s de"t$3 '*t "&so to prote#t Co*rtne( @o6e. S$e
7"sn9t "rrested 5or possessin43 in;e#tin4 "nd "d%inisterin4 i&&e4"& dr*4s 'e#"*se s$e
$"s se6er"& 5riends "nd #onne#tions in t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent. N"r#oti#s
Dete#ti6e Antonio Terr( 7"s one o5 $er K5riendsL "t t$e ti%e. Co*rtne( t"&8ed to
Dete#ti6e Terr( on To% >r"nt9s #"r p$one on#e 7$i&e t$e( 7ere dri6in4. Terr( 7"s t$e
one Co*rtne( #"&&ed 7$en s$e 4ot "n4r( "nd 7"nted " dr*4 '*dd( "rrested. Dete#ti6e
Terr( is e6en re5erred to in Co'"in?s Missin4 +erson?s report "s so%eone to see 5or
K5*rt$er in5o.L O5 #o*rse3 Dete#ti6e Terr( #"n?t t"&8 no7: $e 7"s &"ter %*rdered in "n o55
d*t( in#ident. Anot$er one o5 Co*rtne( @o6e9s o&d 5riends is Ni8o&"s )"rts$orne3 t$e
o55i#i"tin4 #oroner d*rin4 K*rt9s "*tops(. (3 p4.00H-H.!
T7o ot$er so,#"&&ed Ks*i#ide "tte%ptsL $"6e 'een re5erred to '( %edi" so*r#es.
T$e( 7ere 'ro*4$t *p "4"in in t$e M"r#$ 220 iss*e o5 +.O.I. M"4"Gine. T$e 7riter o5
t$is pie#e "&so 7or8s 5or Ro&&in4 Stone On&ine. I5 (o* re"d t$e stor(3 (o*?&& noti#e $is 'i"s
to7"rds prote#tin4 Co*rtne( "s $e %o#8s " re"& se"r#$ 5or t$e tr*t$ in t$is #"se. )e 5"i&s
to do so%e '"si# rese"r#$ "nd spre"ds misin!ormation o't"ined 5ro% ot$er %edi"
so*r#es3 printin4 it "s 5"#t. )ere?s 7$"t t$is 7riter p*'&is$ed: KOne %ont$ 'e5ore $is
de"t$3 K*rt Co'"in %"de $is 5irst s*i#ide "tte%pt3 7ritin4 " 5"re7e&& note "nd pro%pt&(
s7"&&o7in4 .0 Ro$(pno& pi&&s in " Ro%e $ote& roo%. T7o 7ee8s &"ter3 '"#8 "t $is Se"tt&e
est"te3 Co'"in &o#8ed $i%se&5 in " roo% "nd "4"in t$re"tened to 8i&& $i%se&53 t$is ti%e
7it$ " .-1,#"&i'er re6o&6er.L Bot$ o5 t$ese st"te%ents "re "'so&*te&( #$%se. @et?s $"6e "
#&oser &oo8 "t t$e t7o %isreported e6ents. (3 p4.02!
M"r#$ 4t$3 224 2 T)E ROME INCIDENT
D*55 :i&son (Se"tt&e Ti%es! 'e&ie6es it9s possi'i&e K*rt 7"s %*rdered3 <espe#i"&&(
'e#"*se o5 " n*%'er o5 str"n4e t$in4s s*rro*ndin4 t$e Ro%e in#ident.L (-3 p4.01!.
:it$in $o*rs o5 Co*rtne( "nd $er &on4ti%e 5riend Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De:itt ;oinin4 K*rt in
Ro%e3 $o*rs in 7$i#$ K*rt "r4*ed 7it$ Co*rtne( "nd 5in"&&( de#ided to &e"6e $er3 K*rt
7"s 5i4$tin4 5or $is &i5e in " $ospit"&. Co*rtne(9s response 7"s to te&& Se&e#t %"4"Gine: <I5
$e t$in8s $e #"n 4et "7"( 5ro% %e t$"t e"si&(3 $e #"n 5or4et it. I9&& 5o&&o7 $i% t$ro*4$
$e&&.< S$e s"id t$is not 7it$in t$e #onte=t o5 " 5"i&ed s*i#ide3 '*t 7it$in t$e #onte=t o5 "n
"r4*%ent in 7$i#$ $e to&d $er $e 7"s &e"6in4 $er. It is re%inis#ent o5 " re#orded t$re"t
'( Co*rtne( to Ii#tori" C&"r8e: <I 7i&& $"*nt (o* to 5*#8in4 $e&&3 5or t$e rest o5 (o*r &i5e.<
(0!
T$e Ro%e in#ident is #onsistent&( re5erred to "s " Kpre6io*s s*i#ide "tte%ptL "nd
t$e %edi" "##epts Co*rtne(?s spin #ontro& 7it$o*t P*estion or do*'t3 re4"rd&ess o5 7$"t
t$e e6iden#e indi#"tes. To% >r"nt %et 7it$ "nd inter6ie7ed ot$ers 7$o 7ere in Ro%e
7it$ Co*rtne( "nd K*rt 7$en t$is in#ident o##*rred3 in#&*din4 t$eir 5riend "nd n"nn(3
Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De7itt. B"sed on Co*rtne(?s o7n "##o*nts3 "s 7e&& "s st"te%ents 5ro%
ot$ers 7$o 7ere in Ro%e "t t$e ti%e3 it "ppe"rs t$"t s$e 7"s o*t &"te p"rt(in43 7$i&e
K*rt 7"s "&one in t$e $ote& roo%. T$ere 7"s " &ot o5 tension in t$eir %"rri"4e "nd t$e
t7o $"dn?t 'een 4ettin4 "&on4. Co*rtne( $"d #ontin*ed $er $e"6( dr*4 *se 7$i&e K*rt
7"s tr(in4 to st"( #&e"n. T$e on&( t$in4 8eepin4 t$e% to4et$er 7"s Fr"n#es3 '*t K*rt
$"d 'een t"&8in4 o5 " di6or#e "nd tr(in4 to 4et #*stod(. (3 p4.02,0-H-3 p4.10H.!.
)e 7"s 'ein4 tre"ted &i8e " pie#e o5 %e"t. A&& "n(one see%ed to #"re "'o*t 7"s
t$e %one(. No73 &e5t "&one in t$e $ote& roo%3 $e 'e#"%e "n4r(. )e?d $"d it. )e 7rote
Co*rtne( " n"st( &etter te&&in4 $er $e 7"s &e"6in4 $er. Co*rtne( ret*rned to t$e $ote&
'e5ore K*rt "#t*"&&( &e5t t$e roo%. S$e 5o*nd K*rt 4ettin4 $is t$in4s to4et$er. S$e re"d
t$e note $e $"d 7ritten to $er. A $e"ted "r4*%ent 5o&&o7ed. Co*rtne( e6ent*"&&( s7eet,
t"&8ed K*rt into st"(in4. T$e( %"de,*p "nd C$"%p"4ne 7"s ordered. (3 p4.0-!
Contr"r( to "*t$or +opp( Brite9s #&"i% ((ourtney &oveJ the #eal Story! t$"t
F"#8ie F"rr( 7"s t$e n"nn( in Ro%e3 it 7"s reported "t t$e ti%e t$"t Co*rtne(3 Fr"n#es
Be"n "nd C"&i ;oined K*rt in Ro%e (Se&e#t M"4"Gine , M"( 224 edition3 Ro&&in4 Stone ,
F*ne 2 224!. T$e n"rr"ti6e 7$i#$ *n5o&ds in Brite9s 'oo8 "nd Me&iss" Rossi9s 'oo8 is
t$"t K*rt 7"s "#tin4 t$e ro%"nti#3 orderin4 #$"%p"4ne3 pro6idin4 5&o7ers3 "nd sendin4
o*t 5or " Ro$(pno& pres#ription. Co*rtne( 5e&& "s&eep. S$e 7o8e *p 'et7een -,4 in t$e
%ornin4 to 5ind K*rt *n#ons#io*s3 7it$ '&ood #o%in4 5ro% $is nose. K*rt $"d " 7"d o5
#"s$ in one $"nd3 "nd " note $e $"d 7ritten in t$e ot$er. )e 7"s 7e"rin4 " 'ro7n
#ord*ro( ;"#8et. (S*een o5 Noise p4.10 "nd Brite p4./4!. I5 Co*rtne( 7o8e *p
'et7een -,4 in t$e %ornin4 "nd 5o*nd K*rt *n#on#io*s3 7$( 7"sn9t t$e "%'*&"n#e
#"&&ed i%%edi"te&(D T$e p"r"%edi#s "rri6ed "t /:-0AMJ (0!
Co*rtne( to&d " di55erent 6ersion to Se&e#t M"4"Gine3 ,I wo*e up at si< in the
morning or something1 and I reached !or him and he had %lood coming out o! his nose. It
was almost a Kohn 6onham. I *now it sounds gli% %ut I really thought he was dead.7 K*rt
7"s in " #o%" "5ter 7$"t 7"s #"&&ed "n K"##ident"& dr*4 o6erdose.L (3 p4.04! Co*rtne(
r"n4 t$e re#eption des8 o5 t$e E=#e&sior3 5r"nti#"&&( #"&&in4 5or %edi#"& "ssist"n#e. An
"%'*&"n#e s#ree#$ed to " $"&t o*tside t$e $ote& "t /.-0 "%3 7$ere p"r"%edi#s
dis#o6ered t$e sin4er9s #r*%p&ed3 *n#ons#io*s 'od( on t$e 5&oor o5 t$e #o*p&e?s s*ite3
$is 're"t$in4 '"re&( "*di'&e. )e 7"s p&"#ed on " stret#$er "nd i%%edi"te&( r*s$ed to
t$e ne"r'( U%'erto +ri%" +o&(#&ini#3 7$ere $e 7"s "d%itted *nder t$e n"%e o5 K*rt
+o*pon T t$e pse*don(% $e 7"s *sin4 "t t$e E=#e&sior. (1! So%e p$oto4r"p$s 7ere
t"8en in Ro%e "s Co*rtne( 7"s 4ettin4 into t$e "%'*&"n#e tr"nsportin4 K*rt to t$e
$ospit"&. @oo8in4 "t t$e p$otos (o*?&& noti#e Co*rtne( is 5res$&( %"de,*p 7it$ &ipsti#8 "nd
%"s#"r".. 7$o #"&&ed t$e pressD (3 p4.04!
Bot$ Co*rtne( "nd 5or%er >er%s 4*it"rist +"t S%e"r (7$o 7"s to*rin4 7it$
Nir6"n" "s " se#ond 4*it"rist3 "nd 7"s "n espe#i"&&( #&ose 5riend o5 t$e Co'"in9s! 7ere
present "t t$e $ospit"&3 "s 7"s M"r#o Cestoni3 $e"d $on#$o o5 >e55en Re#ords? Ro%e
o55i#e. B( %idd"( Frid"(3 "5ter 5i6e $o*rs o5 intensi6e tre"t%ent3 d*rin4 7$i#$ Co'"in?s
sto%"#$ 7"s p*%ped "nd t$e stri#8en sin4er 7"s p&"#ed on e%er4en#( &i5e,s*pport
s(ste%s3 7ord $"d &e"8ed o*t to t$e It"&i"n ne7s %edi". Reports 7ere 'ein4 4i6en o6er
It"&i"n te&e6ision "nd r"dio t$"t Co'"in $"d s&ipped into "n Qirre6ersi'&e #o%"?. (1!
T$e %edi#"& te"% t$"t tre"ted $i% reported t$"t t$e s*'st"n#es t$e( $"d
retrie6ed 5ro% t$e sin4er?s sto%"#$ in#&*ded #$"%p"4ne3 Ro$(pno&3 "nd " t$ird
s*'st"n#e #"&&ed C&or"rio$(dr"te (7ide&( *sed in t$e US "s "n "n"est$eti# to tre"t
in5"nts!. An $o*r &"ter3 Co*rtne( insisted t$"t K*rt?s sti&& *n#ons#io*s 'od( 'e re%o6ed
to t$e A%eri#"n )ospit"&3 " 7e&&,4*"rded pri6"te #&ini# sit*"ted in t$e s*'*r's o5 Ro%e.
One o5 t$e do#tors 7$o tre"ted Co'"in "t t$e U%'erto 7"s P*oted in t$e It"&i"n press "s
s"(in4: KCo'"in 7"s in " 4r"6e #ondition 7$en $e &e5t $ereL. (1! T$is "#tion '(
Co*rtne( 5*rt$er end"n4ered K*rt9s &i5e.
@"te S"t*rd"( "5ternoon3 Dr. Os6"&do >"&&et"3 #$ie5 %edi#"& o55i#er "t t$e
A%eri#"n )ospit"&3 4"6e " 'rie5 inter6ie7 to 7"itin4 reporters3 d*rin4 7$i#$ $e reported3
KCo'"in doesn?t 8no7 7$"t $"ppened to $i%. )e $"sn?t 4"ined #o%p&ete #ontro& o5 $is
%e%or(. :$en $e e%er4ed 5ro% t$e #o%"3 $e 7"s $*n4r( "nd "s8ed 5or " str"7'err(
%i&8s$"8e. )e is not 5*&&( re#o6ered (et3 '*t $e #"n %o6e "nd soon3 i5 $e 7"nts3 $e #"n
4o '"#8 to 7or8L. T$e do#tor 'e&ie6ed t$e o6erdose 7"s "n "##ident. K:e #"n *s*"&&(
te&& " s*i#ide "tte%pt3L Dr. >"&&ett" s"id. <)e did not see% &i8e " (o*n4 %"n 7$o 7"nted
to end it "&&.L (Me&od( M"8er M"r#$ 2t$ 224.!
>o&d Mo*nt"in3 (Nir6"n"?s %"n"4e%ent #o%p"n(!3 "&so denied t$"t t$e Ro%e
in#ident 7"s " s*i#ide "tte%pt. A##ordin4 to $is %"n"4er3 F"net Bi&&i43 7$"t $"ppened to
K*rt Co'"in 7"s K"n "##ident. )e $"d 'een si#8 7it$ in5&*enG" "nd $"d " '"d t$ro"t
#ondition3 so $e 7ent to It"&( to re#*per"te. T$en $e in"d6ertent&( %i=ed " dose o5
tr"nP*i&&isers "nd "&#o$o&.< :"s K*rt re"&&( t$"t ineptD As $e to&d $is 'io4r"p$er3 Mi#$"e&
AGerr"d3 KRo* ;*st don?t %i= (dr*4s! "nd "&#o$o& "t "&&3 or (o*?&& die.. E6er(one I 8no7 o5
7$o $"s OD?d $"s 4otten dr*n8. And it?s 'een &"te "t ni4$t3 tooL.
<A note 7"s 5o*nd3L Bi&&in4 "dded3 K'*t K*rt insisted it 7"sn?t " s*i#ide note. )e
;*st too8 "&& o5 $is "nd Co*rtne(?s %one( "nd 7"s 4oin4 to r*n "7"( "nd dis"ppe"r.L
T$e note %"8es t$"t 6er( #&e"r. T$"t?s 7$( it 7"s ne6er p*'&is$ed "nd t$"t9s 7$(
Co*rtne( destro(ed it. Co*rtne( @o6e3 t$e Se"tt&e "*t$orities3 "nd t$e %edi" 5"&se&(
&"'e&ed t$e Ro%e note "s " Ks*i#ide note.L (3 p4.0.H-H43 p4.20H1HRo&&in4 Stone F*ne 23
224!
K*rt?s Kdr*4,ind*#ed #o%"L in Ro%e 7"s 'ro*4$t on '( " %i=t*re o5 "&#o$o& "nd
" dr*4 #"&&ed Ro$(pno&3 "&so re5erred to "s KRoo5ies.L Ten to t7ent( ti%es t$e stren4t$ o5
I"&i*%3 Ro$(pno& $"s 'een &"'e&ed3 KT$e D"te R"pe Dr*43L "nd KA :e"pon O5
Iio&en#e3L '( %edi#"& "nd &"7 en5or#e%ent pro5ession"&s "ro*nd t$e 7or&d. Be#"*se o5
its d"n4ers3 Ro$(pno& is not &e4"& in t$e United St"tes3 e6en 5or %edi#in"& p*rposes.
:$"t %"8es t$is dr*4 " K7e"ponL is t$e 7"( it is *sed '( #ri%in"&s , :$en dropped into
" #"r'on"ted drin83 ;*st one 2 %4 pi&& o5 Ro$(pno& #"n in#"p"#it"te " 6i#ti%3 espe#i"&&( i5
t$e drin8 #ont"ins "&#o$o&. T$e dr*4 $"s no t"ste or odor so t$e 6i#ti% is *n"7"re t$"t
t$e drin8 $"s 'een t"%pered 7it$. (3 p40.!
A5ter in4estin4 t$e dr*43 t$e 6i#ti% 'e#o%es e=tre%e&( into=i#"ted3 disoriented3
n"*se"ted3 "nd 7i&& *s*"&&( p"ss o*t. :$i&e t$e 6i#ti% is *n#ons#io*s3 anything #"n
$"ppen. One o5 t$e %ost d"n4ero*s K5e"t*resL o5 t$is dr*4 is t$"t it "&so #"*ses
"%nesi". T$e 6i#ti% 7on?t re%e%'er 7$"t $"ppened 7$i&e *nder t$e in5&*en#e o5
Ro$(pno&. No %e%or( %e"ns no testi%on(. (3 p40/! Ii#ti%s o5 Ro$(pno& %"( $"6e
t$eir %e%or( #o%e '"#8 "t di55erent r"tes3 '*t o5ten it re%"ins &ost 5or (e"rs. (0!
Re6e"&in4&(3 t$e d"( 'e5ore t$e Ro%e in#ident3 Co*rtne( %"de " str"n4e
#o%%ent 7$i&e dis#*ssin4 t$e '"nd M"dder Rose 7it$ ;o*rn"&ist E6erett Tr*e in @ondon.
S$e s"id it re%inded $er Ko5 7$en I t"8e t$ose di$(dro#odeines I 4et o6er $ere in
@ondon 7it$ t$e Roipno& "nd " 4&"ss o5 #$"%p"4neL. (Me&od( M"8er9s M"r#$ 2t$ 224
edition3 0H1! F*st " 5e7 $o*rs 'e5ore s$e %et K*rt in Ro%e3 Co*rtne( "&so did "n
inter6ie7 7it$ Se&e#t %"4"Gine. T$e 7riter s"id t$"t d*rin4 t$is inter6ie7 @o6e 7"s
poppin4 Ro$(pno&:
<T$ere is " 'o= o5 Ro$(pno& on t$e 'i4 %"$o4"n( t"'&e in t$e %idd&e o5 Co*rtne(
@o6e9s @ondon $ote& roo%3 "%on4 t$e s#"ttered p"pers "nd #i4"rette 'o=es. 9@oo83 I
8no7 t$is is " #ontro&&ed s*'st"n#e39 s$e s%i&es "s s$e e%pties one o5 t$ose 5iGG(
sto%"#$ *pset po7ders into " t*%'&er o5 7"ter "nd 7"s$es '"#8 " Ro$(pno&. 9I 4ot it
5ro% %( do#tor. It9s &i8e I"&i*%. Ro* 8no73 5*#8 t$"t +roG"# st*55. I9% not " depressi6e3 I
tried it 5or &i8e 5i6e or si= d"(s3 "nd '( t$e si=t$ d"( I st"rted seein4 tr"#ers &i8e 7$en
(o*9re on "#id...9< (Se&e#t9s M"( 224 editionH0!
D*rin4 one o5 $er 5irst inter6ie7s "5ter t$e Ro%e in#ident3 ('*t prior to K*rt?s
e6ent*"& de"t$!3 Co*rtne( is P*oted '( " 7riter 5or Se&e#t M"4"Gine: KAn(7"(3 7$"t I
7"nted to s"( to (o* 7"s t$"t "&& t$is 7"s ;*st " ti55 'et7een %e "nd K*rt3 OKD T$"t 7"s
"&& it 7"s. A ti55. )e 7"s ;*st *pset t$"t $e 7"s in so%e "75*& p&"#e "nd I 7"s "7"(
en;o(in4 %(se&5 "nd s$oppin4. It 7"s not " s*i#ide t$in4... So no7 7e?re 4oin4 '"#8 to
t$e t$er"pist 7$en it "&& #"&%s do7n.L So 7$i&e K*rt 7"s sti&& "&i6e3 Co*rtne( 7"s te&&in4
t$e press t$e Ro%e in#ident 7"s not K" s*i#ide t$in4.L (3 p4.02,0-!
A5ter K*rt 7"s 5o*nd de"d in Se"tt&e3 Co*rtne( #&"i%ed $e $"d de&i'er"te&(
s7"&&o7ed .0 Ro$(pno&s in Ro%e " %ont$ e"r&ierJ T$is &"tter 6ersion o5 $er stor(3 7$i#$
7"s re&e"sed on&( "5ter Co'"in?s de"t$3 det"i&ed $o7 t$e pi&&s 7ere indi6id*"&&( 5oi&
7r"pped. O5 #o*rse t$is i%p&ied K*rt 8ne7 7$"t $e 7"s doin4 "nd $o7 %"n( pi&&s $e
7"s t"8in4 sin#e $e $"d to *n7r"p e"#$ sep"r"te pi&&. It &oo8s &i8e t$e press %"( $"6e
s7"&&o7ed so%e o5 t$ose pi&&s tooJ T$e %edi"3 5or t$e %ost p"rt3 see%s to si%p&( 4o''&e
*p 7$"te6er Co*rtne( t$ro7s t$eir 7"(3 7it$o*t "n( independent rese"r#$ or
6eri5i#"tion. :$i&e t$ere?s no do*'t t$"t Ro$(pno& 7"s s&ipped into K*rt?s drin83 Dr.
>"&&ett" (t$e "ttendin4 p$(si#i"n in Ro%e! re5*tes Co*rtne(?s #&"i% t$"t K*rt $"d
in4ested .0 pi&&s. K*rt "&so denied t$e Ro%e in#ident 7"s " s*i#ide "tte%pt. )e 7o*&d
$"6e to 'e " #o%p&ete 5oo& to t$in8 "n(one 7o*&d 'e&ie6e $i% i5 t$ere 7"s e6iden#e $e
$"d de&i'er"te&( t"8en .0 pi&&s. Co*rtne( on#e #&"i%ed K*rt $"d " t$o*s"nd do&&"rs in $is
hand 7$en s$e 5o*nd $i% *n#ons#io*s. Anot$er ti%e s$e s"id t$e %one( 7"s in $is
poc*et. :$"t 7"s $e 4oin4 to do 7it$ "&& t$"t %one( i5 $e p&"nned on 8i&&in4 $i%se&5D (3
p4.0/! :$( 7o*&d K*rt 7rite " note3 prep"re to &e"6e3 "nd t$en de&i'er"te&( o6erdoseD
T$e "#tions "re #ontr"di#tor(. (0!
I%%edi"te&( 5o&&o7in4 t$e in#ident3 Co*rtne( te&&s Se&e#t M"4"Gine3 K:$en K*rt
#"%e "ro*nd "nd st"rted respondin4 7e 4"6e $i% " pen#i&3 "nd (o* 8no7 7$"t t$e 5irst
t$in4 $e 7rote 7"sD FUCK ROU.L T$"t stor( "pp"rent&( #$"n4ed 7$en Co*rtne(
re"&iGed s$e 7"s &ettin4 t$e #"t o*t o5 t$e '"4. K*rt?s 5irst note to Co*rtne( "t t$e $ospit"&
7"s &"ter #$"n4ed to3 K>et t$ese 5*#8in4 t*'es o*t o5 %( nose.L (43 p4.20!. +rior to $is
de"t$3 K*rt 7"s $ere to de5end $i%se&5 "nd Co*rtne( had to te&& t$e tr*t$3 so s$e to&d t$e
%edi" t$e Ro%e in#ident KNwas not a suicide thing...7 (3 p4.0/! O5 #o*rse "5ter $is
de"t$ Co*rtne( 7"s 5ree to s"( "n(t$in4 s$e 7"nted. As 7e 7i&& see &"ter3 K*rt?s #&ose
5riend D(&"n $"d not 'een to&d "'o*t " Ks*i#ide "tte%ptL in Ro%e. :$( didn?t Co*rtne(
7"rn "n(one "'o*t t$isD Be#"*se K*rt 7"s sti&& "&i6e "nd 7o*&d set t$e re#ord str"i4$t.
(3 p4.00!
I5 Co*rtne( s&ipped Ro$(pno&s into K*rt?s drin8 in "n "tte%pt to 8i&& $i%3 7$( did
s$e #"&& "n "%'*&"n#eD T$ere "re se6er"& possi'i&ities. Co*rtne(?s s#$e%e %"( $"6e
'een interr*pted '( so%eone 5ro% t$e $ote& or Nir6"n"?s 4ro*p 7$o dis#o6ered K*rt
&(in4 *n#ons#io*s. (3 p4.00! T$e %ost &i8e&( s#en"rio is t$"t Co*rtne( t$o*4$t K*rt 7"s
de"d "nd on&( then did s$e #"&& 5or "n "%'*&"n#e. See Co*rtne(9s inter6ie7 7it$ Se&e#t
M"4"Gine 7$ere s$e s"id3 <I really thought he was dead." (3 p4.04! In "n inter6ie7 7it$
Ro'ert )i&'*rn on Apri& 4t$ 2243 Co*rtne( t"&8ed "'o*t t$e o6erdose in Ro%e:
<@o6e $"d 5&o7n to Ro%e e"r&( &"st %ont$ to spend " 5e7 d"(s 7it$ Co'"in "5ter
$e #"n#e&&ed p"rt o5 " E*rope"n #on#ert to*r3 #"*sed '( i&&ness. S$e 7o8e in t$e $ote&
roo% to 5ind $i% *n#ons#io*s3 $"6in4 t"8en so%e o5 $er pres#ription tr"nP*i&iGers "nd
"&#o$o&3 s$e s"(sO 9)e 7"s de"d......&e4"&&( de"d3 $e 7"s in " #o%" 5or 20 $o*rs...on &i5e
s*pport. T$e( t$o*4$t $e 7"s ne6er 4oin4 to #o%e o*t o5 it.9< (@.A. Ti%es Apri& 0t$
224!. Co*rtne( %"( $"6e 7"ited *nti& s$e t$o*4$t t$ere 7"s no $ope o5 re#o6er(. )er
"'o6e st"te%ent see%s to 'e %"de in "%"Ged dis'e&ie5 t$"t $e 7"s sti&& 're"t$in4. (0!
T$is in#ident 7"s des#ri'ed "t t$e ti%e "s "n "##identH%ist"8eHin"d6ert"nt
o6erdose. A %ist"8e 7$i#$ in6o&6ed Ro$(pno& "nd #$"%p"4ne: s*'st"n#es K*rt did not
*se '*t t$"t Co*rtne( 7"s in t$e $"'it o5 *sin4 in #o%'in"tion "nd $"d "t $er dispos"&3
s*'st"n#es notorio*s 5or t$eir *se to in#"p"#it"te 6i#ti%s. K*rt did not drin8 "&#o$o& ("s
7itnessed '( peop&e 7$o to*red 7it$ $i%!3 '*t per$"ps " Ro$(pno& 7"s disso&6ed in "
s%"&& "%o*nt o5 #$"%p"4ne "nd t$en di&*ted 7it$ 7"ter 5ro% K*rt9s 5"%o*s E6i"n 'ott&e.
(0!
T$e perpetr"tor(s! o5 t$is "#t $"6e eno*4$ e=perien#e o5 *sin4 Ro$(pno& to 8no7
7$"t t$e( "re doin4. T$e( pro6ide ;*st eno*4$ o5 t$e dr*4 to render $i% in#"p"'&e o5
&e"6in4. S"5e in t$e 8no7&ed4e t$"t K*rt 7on9t 4et 6er( 5"r3 t$e( %i4$t &e"6e t$e roo% to
de#ide t$eir ne=t step. A##ordin4 to Rossi3 p"4e 1/3 t$e s*ite K*rt $"d in t$e E=#e&sior
)ote& $"d "n e=tr" 'edroo% 5or t$e n"nn(. T$e( 7"it *nti& /:-0 ".%. 'e5ore r"isin4 t$e
"&"r%3 '( t$is ti%e t$e( 'e&ie6e t$"t $e is de"d. (0!
B*t K*rt s*r6i6ed. Dr. >"&&ett" 7$o 7"s responsi'&e 5or K*rt9s tre"t%ent3 iss*ed
t$e 5o&&o7in4 st"te%ent: <:$en $e e%er4ed 5ro% t$e #o%"3 $e 7"s 6er( $*n4r( "nd
"s8ed 5or " str"7'err( %i&8s$"8eJ< (Me&od( M"8er M"r#$ 2t$ 224.! In t$e internet
postin4 '( K*rt3 $e s"id: <I9% sti&& prett( 5re"8ed o6er t$e Ro%e t$in43 "nd need so%e
ti%e to rest "nd 4et o6er it. Ro*9d t$in8 t$e( #o*&d %"8e " 4ood %i&8s$"8e3 '*t no.< (/!
S"nd5ord %entions t$is s"%e internet postin4 (K*rt Co'"in3 p4.-2-!3 '*t o%itted t$e
"'o6e se#tion "'o*t t$e %i&8s$"8e. M"('e '( 22/ (7$en S"nd5ord9s 'oo8 7"s
p*'&is$ed! it 7"sn9t #on6enient to in#&*de t$ose 5"#ts. K*rt $"d " $e"&t$( propensit( 5or
%i&8s$"8es "nd 're"85"sts3 not re"&&( in 8eepin4 7it$ " s*i#id"& %"n. As ti%e p"sses
#ert"in 'its o5 in5or%"tion 7$i#$ pert"in to K*rt "re &ost 7$i&st 5"#tsHe6iden#e s*pportin4
Co*rtne(9s #&"i%s "re #onst"nt&( e6o&6in4 "nd #$"n4in4. T$ese *nn"%ed
so*r#esHCo*rtne( #&"i%s "re "n ins*&t to K*rt Co'"in "nd 7i&& 'e dis#*ssed in C$"pter
-. (0!
Ii#ti%s o5 Ro$(pno&Hd"te r"pe dr*4 "re *s*"&&( *n#ons#io*s 5or "t &e"st 0 $o*rs
"nd %"( on&( re%e%'er e6ents in 5&"s$'"#8s o6er t$e ne=t 5e7 d"(s. In 2213
Ro$(pno&9s %"n*5"#t*rer introd*#ed "n "nti,"'*se %e#$"nis%3 in 7$i#$ " 'ri4$t '&*e
&iP*id is prod*#ed on#e t$e dr*4 is disso&6ed. (@ondon E6enin4 St"nd"rd3 20t$ A*4*st
222!. I5 t$is 7"s "n "tte%pt to %*rder K*rt3 "nd K*rt s*r6i6ed3 7$"t on e"rt$ #o*&d K*rt
'e t$in8in4 "nd 5ee&in4D S$o#8ed3 #on5*sed3 s#"redD +ro'"'&( not e6en re%e%'erin4
e="#t&( 7$"t $"d tr"nspired. I5 Ro%e 7"s " 5"i&ed %*rder "tte%pt '( Co*rtne( "nd
Mi#$"e& 9C"&i9 De:itt3 7$"t on e"rt$ #o*&d t$e( 'e t$in8in4 "nd 5ee&in4D S#"redD :orried
t$"t K*rt 7o*&d re#o6er $is %e%or(D T$e( 7o*&d need to #ontro& t$e sit*"tion. K*rt
7o*&d not 'e "&&o7ed to re4"in $is %e%or(. (0!
T$e Se#ond In#ident , M"r#$ 1t$3 224
SEATTLE POLICE REPORT - &'P'A' Distur($nce
Incident Re)ort # 9*-+3,-. Friday, March 18, 1994 1810 Hrs
#ecovered ,at the residence !or sa!e *eeping7...
9D: Taurus .BL Special1 Serial num%er K(>BADB
9D: 6eretta .BL@ Serial num%er DDDBBG;
9D: Taurus .BL@ "T >L ss Serial num%er K&AM=N=M
9D: (oltA#2D> Serial num%er S" DDBL@>
(On#e "4"in3 t$e '&"n8 &ines indi#"te 7ords '&"#8ed o*t '( t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e prior to
re&e"sin4 t$e do#*%ent to t$e p*'&i#. Fi&&in4 in t$e '&"n8s on t$is report3 $o7e6er3 is not
6er( di55i#*&t. Most o5 t$e '&"n8s "re re5eren#es to Co*rtne( @o6e. T$e %isspe&&in4 o5
C*rt Co'"inL $"s no re&e6"n#e!.
,?n the listed date and time o!!icers responded to the listed location to investigate a
distur%ance. I arrived and contacted 222222 222222 stated that (o%ain1
Kurt had loc*ed himsel! in a room and that he was going to *ill himsel!. She also
stated that he had a gun in the room. ?!!icers were a%le to contact (o%ain1 (urt1
9misspelled on report:1 and detained him pending !urther investigation. (o%ain1
(urt stated that he had loc*ed himsel! in the room to *eep away !rom 222222222. 5e
continued to state that he is not suicidal and doesn/t want to hurt himsel!.
,22222222 in!ormed o!!icers o! 9at: the location o! several weapons that were in the
room that (o%ain1 (urt had loc*ed himsel! in. Due to the volatile situation with the threat
o! suicide and the recovery o! un*nown medication1 the weapons and
medication were ta*en into custody.
,A!ter !urther interviewing 22222222 22222222 stated that she did not see him with a gun1 and
he did not say he was going to *ill himsel!. 5owever when he loc*ed himsel! in the room1
would not open the door1 and *nowing that he had access to guns1 she contacted =DD
!or his sa!ety and well %eing. All parties were interviewed and released and (o%ain le!t
2222222222222. The distur%ance was ver%al only.7 (p401!
K*rt did not &o#8 $i%se&5 in " roo% 7it$ " sin4&e .-1,#"&i'er re6o&6er "s %entioned
in t$e +.O.I. "rti#&e. O'6io*s&(3 i5 K*rt $"d t"8en " sin4&e 4*n "nd &o#8ed $i%se&5 into "
roo%3 "s t$e ;o*rn"&ist 7o*&d $"6e (o* 'e&ie6e3 it #ert"in&( 7o*&d "ppe"r t$"t $e 7"s
s*i#id"&. B*t t$e tr*t$ is3 $e si%p&( &o#8ed $i%se&5 into t$e s"%e roo% 7$ere $e
$"ppened to store "&& o5 $is 4*ns. (3 p4.01! Co*rtne( ori4in"&&( &ied to t$e po&i#e o55i#er.
S$e to&d $i% K*rt 7"s 4oin4 to 8i&& $i%se&5 "nd t$"t $e $"d " 4*n3 (sin4*&"r!3 in t$e roo%.
B*t K*rt s"id $e $"d &o#8ed $i%se&5 in t$e roo% <to 8eep "7"( 5ro% Co*rtne(J< K*rt "&so
#on5ir%ed $e 7"s not s*i#id"& "nd did not 7"nt to $*rt $i%se&5. S*i#id"& peop&e 7$o &o#8
t$e%se&6es into " roo% 7it$ " 4*n o5ten reP*ire " S:AT te"% "nd " ps(#$o&o4ist to 4et
t$e% o*t. I5 t$e person is tr*&( s*i#id"&3 t$"t 7on?t e6en 7or8. B*t in t$is in#ident3 K*rt
#"%e o*t o5 t$e roo% "nd #ooper"ted 5*&&( 7it$ t$e o55i#ers on t$e s#ene. T$is3 "&on4
7it$ $is o7n st"te%ents3 indi#"tes $e $"d no intention o5 8i&&in4 $i%se&5 "s %"n( in t$e
%edi" #ontin*e to #&"i%. (3 p4.02!
T$e po&i#e report #&e"r&( st"tes t$"t Co*rtne( @o6e &ied to t$e o55i#ers 7$en t$e(
5irst "rri6ed on t$e s#ene. A5ter t"8in4 t$e 4*ns "nd %edi#"tion into #*stod( 5or s"5e
8eepin43 Co*rtne( 7"s P*estioned "4"in "nd "d%itted Ks$e did not see $i% 7it$ " 4*nL
"nd K$e did not s"( $e 7"s 4oin4 to 8i&& $i%se&5.L It see%s t$"t 7$en K*rt 7"s "ro*nd to
set t$e re#ord str"i4$t3 Co*rtne( #o*&dn?t 4et "7"( 7it$ $er &ies3 (et s$e #ontin*ed to
t7ist t$e 5"#ts "nd %isreport t$e det"i&s. T$ese in#idents $e&ped set t$e st"4e 5or t$e
5in"& "#t , "n "#t t$"t 7"sn?t &i8e&( to 'e P*estioned 'e#"*se o5 t$is de&i'er"te&(
%isrepresented person"& $istor(. (3 p4.02!
On M"r#$ 22nd3 " >r"(top T"=i 7"s #"&&ed to t$e #o*p&e?s $o%e. T$e dri6er3
@eon )"sson3 s"id t$e t7o P*"rre&ed 6i#io*s&( in t$e '"#8 se"t 7$i&e en ro*te to " *sed,
#"r &ot "t :est&"8e "nd Denn( :"(. A5ter 4i6in4 $i% " 4enero*s tip3 t$e( dep"rted "nd
res*%ed t$eir "r4*%ent in 5ront o5 t$e o7ner "nd "n e%p&o(ee "t t$e A%eri#"n Dre"%
*sed #"r &ot. @o6e $"d 7"nted Co'"in to 8eep " @e=*s t$e( $"d p*r#$"sed F"n. 2 '*t
Co'"in 7"s %ore #o%5ort"'&e 7it$ so%et$in4 &ess &*=*rio*s. Foe Kenne(3 o7ner o5 t$e
#"r &ot 7$ere t$e #o*p&e p*r#$"sed " Q/. Dod4e D"rt 5or U23.003 s"id @o6e "ppe"red
*nst"'&e "nd dropped " $"nd5*& o5 pi&&s 7$i&e $e"din4 into " restroo%. Kenne( s"(s $e
"nd t$e e%p&o(ee #o%%ented to e"#$ ot$er t$"t t$e( s$o*&d "s8 Co'"in to "*to4r"p$
$is CDs soon3 'e#"*se it didn?t &oo8 &i8e eit$er one o5 t$e% 7o*&d 'e "ro*nd %*#$
&on4er. (0!
C)A+TER - , EIENTS SURROUNDIN> KURT9S DEAT)
A5ter t$e Ro%e in#ident3 7$ere K*rt s*55ered "n o6erdose on roo5ies3 $e tried to
5i&e 5or di6or#e "nd $"6e Co*rtne( 7ritten o*t o5 $is 7i&&. K*rt 7"s in t$e pro#ess o5
&e"6in4 $er3 "nd Se"tt&e3 7$en $e 7"s 5o*nd de"d. (3 p4.1! Co*rtne( 8ne7 K*rt 7"nted
o*t o5 t$eir %"rri"4e. (3 p4.13! T$ere "re "t &e"st t$ree 7itnesses to t$is 5"#t:
In t$e F*ne 2 224 edition o5 Ro&&in4 Stone %"4"Gine3 Nir6"n"9s %"n"4er3 >o&d
Mo*nt"in e%p&o(ee F"net Bi&&i4 s"id t$e &etter to Co*rtne( t$"t K*rt 7rote in
Ro%e 7"s not " s*i#ide note. )e si%p&( too8 "&& o5 $is "nd Co*rtne(9s %one(
"nd 7"s 4oin4 to r*n "7"( "nd dis"ppe"r .
A 5e%"&e n"nn( 7$o too8 #"re o5 t$e Co'"in9s d"*4$ter3 Fr"n#es Be"n3 7"s
inter6ie7ed '( Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d 5or " BBC do#*%ent"r(. S$e st"ted K*rt 7"nted
<to 4et "7"( 5ro% Co*rtne(< "nd t$"t Co*rtne( 7"s preo##*pied K*rt9s desire to
#$"n4e $is :i&&. T$e n"nn( 'e#"%e so distressed 7it$ t$e "t%osp$ere "t t$e
$o*se t$"t s$e P*it " 7ee8 or so 'e5ore K*rt died. T$is #&"i% is s*pported '(
&"7(er Rose%"r( C"rro&&9s st"te%ents "nd '( :"&&"#e E )"&perin in t$eir 'oo8
9:$o Ki&&ed K*rt Co'"inD9 (For t$e 5*&& tr"ns#ript o5 t$e n"nn(9s do#*%ent"r(
inter6ie73 see C$"pter !
Co*rtne( to&d To% >r"nt t$"t t$e note K*rt 7rote in Ro%e in M"r#$ 224 <7"sn9t
re"&&( ni#e< "nd t$"t it <t"&8ed "'o*t 4ettin4 " di6or#e<. S$e "&so to&d $i% t$"t S4t.
Don C"%eron o5 t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dept. "d6ised $er to 4et rid o5 t$e note. To%
>r"nt $"s re&e"sed t$e re#orded #on6ers"tions o5 t$e Co'"in9s entert"in%ent
&"7(er (C"rro&&! "nd Co*rtne( @o6e. Co*rtne( is #&e"r&( on t$e t"pes te&&in4 >r"nt
t$"t K*rt 7"s &e"6in4 $er "nd t$"t $e 7"nted " di6or#e. T$ese t"pes $"6e ne6er
'een %entioned in %"instre"% %edi" #o6er"4e o5 t$is #"se.
K*rt $"d 7"&8ed "7"( 5ro% " $e"d&inin4 spot on t$e @o&&"p"&ooG" to*r3 " de"&
7ort$ U2.. %i&&ion3 "nd Co*rtne( 7"s "n4r(. S$e tried to '&"%e K*rt9s "ttit*de on dr*4s3
"nd p*t to4et$er " <to*4$,&o6e inter6ention< 7$i#$ in#&*ded so%e o5 t$e 6er( ;*n8ies K*rt
*sed to $"n4 o*t 7it$. Co*rtne( #&"i%s s$e to&d $i%3 <T$is $"s 4ot to end. Ro* $"6e to
'e " 4ood d"dd(J< T$is st"te%ent 7"s so%e7$"t ridi#*&o*s #o%in4 5ro% Co*rtne(: s$e
7"s on dr*4s d*rin4 t$e entire 0 %ont$s t$"t +.I. To% >r"nt 7or8ed 5or $er d*rin4 224.
It9s di55i#*&t to 'e&ie6e K*rt too8 $er <inter6ention< serio*s&( eit$er. A##ordin4 to K*rt "nd
t$e peop&e 7$o 8ne7 $i%3 $e 7"s o55 dr*4s "nd tr(in4 to st"( #&e"n. (3 p4.H.!
T$e ro#8 st"r 7"s *nder tre%endo*s press*re to s*'%it to dr*4 tre"t%ent. VV)e
5e&t t$"t $e $"d no $"'it399 D(&"n C"r&son s"id. VVT$"t 7"s %ore &i8e 7$"t %"n"4e%ent
7"nted $i% to do.99 (2! D"nn( >o&d'er43 " 5or%er Nir6"n" %"n"4er "nd At&"nti#
Re#ords 6i#e president3 s"id Co'"in 7"s Ke=tre%e&( re&*#t"nt: "nd Kdenied t$"t $e 7"s
doin4 "n(t$in4 se&5,destr*#ti6e.L B( %eetin4?s end3 peop&e t$o*4$t Co'"in $"d so5tened
"nd 'een pers*"ded to see8 dr*4 re$"'i&it"tion. )e "4reed to &e"6e 5or " deto= pro4r"%
in @os An4e&es. (0! T$e ne=t d"(3 on S"t*rd"(3 M"r#$ 2/3 2243 Co*rtne( &e5t Se"tt&e 5or
t$e +enins*&" )ote& in Be6er&( )i&&s3 C"&i5orni". (3 p4.!.
)er "'sen#e 7o*&d i%p&( t$"t Co*rtne( 7"s 7i&&in4 to &e"6e K*rt to $is o7n
de6i#es3 '*t #on6enient&(3 C"&i re%"ined "t t$e Se"tt&e residen#e. :$en K*rt ret*rned to
t$e $o*se on Apri& 2nd3 C"&i 7"s sti&& t$ere: K*rt 7"s ne6er re"&&( 5ree o5 $er in5&*en#e.
T$ere "re " 5e7 inst"n#es 7$en t$is #ontro& 7"s pre#"rio*s "s K*rt "tte%pted to #$"n4e
$is &i5est(&e. T$ese inst"n#es 7ere:
. (M"r#$ 4t$! In Ro%e $e "tte%pted to &e"6e $erHr*n "7"(. )e ended *p in $ospit"&
5i4$tin4 5or $is &i5e3 "nd didn9t 8no7 7$(.
2. (M"r#$ 22nd! K*rt insisted on ret*rnin4 t$e @e=*s. At t$is ti%e3 Kenne( des#ri'ed
Co*rtne( "s poppin4 pi&&s "nd <*nst"'&e<.
-. (end o5 M"r#$! K*rt re5*sed inter6ention "nd re$"'. At t$is ti%e Seped;i"n des#ri'ed
Co*rtne( "s <5r"nti#< "nd <s#re"%in4<.
4. (&"te M"r#$He"r&( Apri&! :$en K*rt t"&8ed "'o*t di6or#e "nd reP*ested " ne7 7i&&
e=#&*din4 Co*rtne(. )e died 'e5ore $e 4ot t$e #$"n#e to si4n it. (3 p4.2!
.. (Apri& st! :$en K*rt &e5t t$e re$"'. At t$is ti%e Foe M"%" des#ri'ed Co*rtne( "s
<5re"8ed< "nd <s#"red<. (0!
Co*rtne( didn9t 7"nt $i% to $"6e #ontro&. It s#"red $er3 not 'e#"*se $e 7"s
s*i#id"&3 '*t 'e#"*se s$e stood to &ose e6er(t$in4 i5 $e si4ned $is :i&& "nd di6or#ed $er.
:$en D"6id )"i4 %et K*rt ("5ter Ro%e! in " do7nto7n $ote& $e 5o*nd $i% tense "nd
e%otion"& , 7eepin4 open&( 7$en dis#*ssin4 $is %"rri"4e. K*rt "&so #o%p&"ined to $i%
o5 p"rti"& %e%or( &oss3 inso%ni"3 5"ti4*e "nd <" '*GGin4 in t$e top o5 %( $e"d<.
(S"nd5ord p"4e -2! It is interestin4 t$"t )"i4 %"de no %ention o5 K*rt &oo8in4 dr*44ed,
*pHdepressedHs*i#id"&. )is o'ser6"tions o5 K*rt "re %ore in &ine 7it$ 7$"t one 7o*&d
e=pe#t o5 " #&"ssi# 6i#ti% o5 Ro$(pno& ind*#ed "ss"*&t. On M"r#$ 22t$ 2243 K*rt didn9t
$"6e $is #o%p&ete %e%or( '"#8 7it$ re4"rds to Ro%e. :it$in / d"(s $e 7"s de"d. (0!
A5ter t$e inter6ention3 Co'"in $*n4 "ro*nd Se"tt&e 5or 5i6e d"(s "nd 7rote t$e
pre6io*s&( %entioned internet postin4 (M"r#$ 22t$!. On t$"t d"( K*rt 7"s sti&& <5re"8ed<
"'o*t Ro%e "nd didn9t *nderst"nd e="#t&( 7$"t $"d tr"nspired. )e %"( $"6e $"d
6"4*e3 #on5*sin4 re#o&&e#tions or 5&"s$'"#8s. T$e d"( "5ter t$e internet post3 on
:ednesd"(3 M"r#$ -03 $e 5in"&&( "4reed to 4o to t$e E=od*s Tre"t%ent Center in
C"&i5orni". Be5ore &e"6in43 $o7e6er3 K*rt 6isited $is 5riend D(&"n C"r&son in Se"tt&e?s
@"8e Cit(. (0! D(&"n 7"s reported&( $is #&osest 5riend "t t$e ti%e. K*rt #on5ided to D(&"n
t$"t $e 7"s "5r"id o5 intr*ders "t t$e $o*se3 so t$e t7o 7ent to " &o#"& 4*n de"&er "nd
'o*4$t " s$ot4*n. It 7"s re4istered in D(&"n9s n"%e: sin#e K*rt9s ot$er 4*ns $"d 'een
#on5is#"ted '( t$e po&i#e3 $e didn9t 7"nt peop&e to 8no7 $e $"d " ne7 one. (3 p4.!
T$e s$ot4*n 7"s " 20 4"*4e set 5or &i4$t &o"d. >*n de"&ers re#o%%end t$is set,*p 5or
$o%e prote#tion 'e#"*se t$e s$ot 7i&& not penetr"te 7"&&s "nd end"n4er t$ose on t$e
ot$er side. (3 p4.2! It 7"s p*r#$"sed 5or prote#tion3 not s*i#ide (3 p4.1!. :$en "s8ed
"'o*t K*rt9s %ent"& st"te on M"r#$ -0t$3 D(&"n re%"r8ed3 <)e see%ed nor%"&...7e9d
'een t"&8in4.< (43 p4.1-!.
To% >r"nt t$in8s K*rt 7"s inti%id"ted into 'e&ie6in4 $is &i5e 7"s in d"n4er i5 $e
5"i&ed to do t$e @o&&"p"&ooG" to*r. T*rnin4 do7n " 'i4 %*si# 5esti6"& &i8e t$"t 7o*&d #ost
ot$ers " 4re"t de"& o5 %one(. (3 p4.! K*rt too8 t$e ne7&(,p*r#$"sed s$ot4*n to $is
$o*se " st"s$ed it in " $idden #o%p"rt%ent in t$e 'edroo% #&oset. )e t$en &e5t 5or t$e
"irport "nd 5&e7 to t$e E=od*s re$"' 5"#i&it( in @os An4e&es. (3 p4.2! So%e %edi"
so*r#es reported t$"t $e "#P*ired t$e 4*n "5ter #o%in4 '"#8 to Se"tt&e3 '*t t$is is not
tr*e. (3 p4.1!
T$*rsd"(,Frid"(3 M"r#$ -HApri& st
At t$e E=od*s #&ini#3 Co'"in 7"s 6isited '( $is d"*4$ter3 Fr"n#es Be"n Co'"in3
"nd one o5 t$e n"nnies. It 7o*&d 'e t$e #$i&d?s &"st 6isit 7it$ $er 5"t$er. On Apri& st3 K*rt
re#ei6ed " 6isit 5ro% Foe M"%" "t E=od*s re$"'3 Foe s"id3 KI 7"s re"d( to see $i% &oo8
&i8e n*ts "nd depressed. )e &oo8ed 5*#8in4 4re"tJL )e 7ent on to s"(: KA5ter K*rt &e5t I
7"s on t$e p$one to Co*rtne( "&& t$e ti%e. S$e 7"s re"&&( 5re"8ed o*t3 so 7e dro6e
"ro*nd &oo8in4 5or $i% "t "&& t$e p&"#es $e %i4$t $"6e 4one. S$e 7"s re"&&( s#"red 5ro%
t$e 'e4innin4. I 4*ess s$e #o*&d te&&.L (43 p4.1-.! I5 K*rt &oo8ed so 4re"t3 s*re&( Foe
7o*&d $"6e #on6e(ed t$is to Co*rtne(. :$( t$en 7"s s$e so K5re"8ed o*t3 re"&&(
s#"redLD Co*&d it 'e t$"t s$e no7 $"d no #ontro& o6er t$e sit*"tion3 K*rt $"d 'e#o%e "
&oose #"nnon "nd s$e 5e"red $e 7o*&d pro#eed 7it$ si4nin4 $is 7i&&D On#e t$is 7"s
si4ned3 Co*rtne( 7o*&d &ose $er %one( "nd po7er.
S$e "pp"rent&( did not 6isit3 '*t s$e #"&&ed t$e re$"' #enter t$irteen ti%es 5ro%
$er roo% "t t$e +enins*&"3 t$e &"st ti%e 'ein4 "ro*nd /+M. S$e &"ter s"id s$e spo8e to
K*rt on t$e p$one on&( on#e. An $o*r "5ter t$"t &"st #"&&3 K*rt to&d "n E=od*s st"55
%e%'er $e 7"nted to 4o o*tside 5or " #i4"rette. :it$o*t e=p&"n"tion3 K*rt #&i%'ed o6er
" s%"&& 7"&& o*tside "nd 5&ed t$e re$"' #enter. At 1:40+M3 $e #"&&ed t$e +enins*&" )ote&
to &e"6e " %ess"4e 5or Co*rtne(. T$e %ess"4e 5ro% t$e $ote& &o4 re"ds: <E&iG"'et$9s
p$one n*%'er is (2-! WWW,WWWW.< To% >r"nt $"s t$e 5*&& n*%'er in $is #"se 5i&e.
Co*rtne( ne6er %entioned t$is %ess"4e to t$e %edi". It doesn9t "ppe"r to 'e 5ro%
so%eone 7$o is <s*i#id"&.< K*rt t$en 7ent to t$e "irport 7$ere $e 'o*4$t " 5&i4$t '"#8 to
Se"tt&e 7it$ $is #redit #"rd. )e reported&( si4ned "*to4r"p$s "t " ti#8et #o*nter 'e5ore
'o"rdin4 t$e 0:20 p.%. De&t" Air&ines 5&i4$t to Se"tt&e. (3 p4.2H0H2.3 p4.-2.!
S"t*rd"(3 Apri& 2nd
K*rt "rri6ed '"#8 in Se"tt&e "t "pp= 2:4. ".%. @ind" :"&8er o5 Se"tt&e
@i%o*sines s"7 K*rt spe"8in4 nor%"&&( to ot$er p"ssen4ers "nd $e "ppro"#$ed $er
7it$ " Kt$in s%i&eL (2.3 p4.-2.!. S$e t$en dro6e K*rt '"#8 to $is $o*se "t 0 @"8e
:"s$in4ton B&6d3 "rri6in4 in t$e e"r&( %ornin4. )is "ppe"r"n#e "t t$e $o*se s*rprised
"nd #on#erned Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De:itt. (0! C"&i s"id K*rt entered $is 'edroo% "nd t$e(
$"d " s$ort #on6ers"tion. (3 p4.-! In Cross9 'oo8 )e"6ier T$"n )e"6en3 it is reported
t$"t: Kurt wal*ed into (ali's room and sat on the end o! the %ed. Kessica AC"&i9s 4ir&5riendB
wo*e1 %ut not (ali...(ali momentarily wo*e up and1 seeing Kurt1 told him to call
(ourtney. As (ali !ell %ac* asleep1 Kessica and Kurt sat silently !or a !ew minutes1
watching MT8..."
At 0:-0 ".%.3 " dri6er 5or >r"( Top T"=i pi#8ed *p K*rt 5ro% $is $o%e. T"=i
s*per6isor +"*& SG"&( to&d t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e on 2 Apri& 224: KT$e dri6er pi#8ed *p "
person 7$o $e t$o*4$t did not %"t#$ 7it$ t$e residen#e. )e dro6e "ro*nd &oo8in4 5or "
p&"#e to '*( '*&&ets3 '*t 7"s *n"'&e to 5ind one. T$is %"&e to&d t$e dri6er t$"t $e re#ent&(
'een '*r4&ed "nd needed '*&&ets. At 1.-0"% t$e dri6er dropped t$e %"n o55 in t$e "re"
o5 4.t$ "nd A*ror" 'e#"*se $e s"id $e 7"s $*n4r( "nd 7"nted to 4et so%et$in4 to
e"t. T$e %"n?s 5"re 7"s U20L (Se"tt&e po&i#e report!. A re#eipt 5or t$e "%%*nition 7"s
&"ter 5o*nd "t t$e $o*se. (0!
A5ter K*rt9s de"t$3 one o5 $is t7o #"rs 7"s dis#o6ered in t$e dri6e7"( o5 $is
$o*se 7it$ 4 5&"t tires. I5 t$e( 7ere 5&"t 7$en K*rt $"d ret*rned to t$e $o*se3 it 7o*&d
s*re&( $"6e &i%ited $is %o'i&it(3 "nd 7o*&d e=p&"in 7$( $e #"&&ed " t"=i to 4et '*&&ets.
C"&i %"( $"6e 'een t$e one responsi'&e 5or de5&"tin4 t$e tires. T$is is (et "not$er 5"i&in4
on t$e p"rt o5 t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e3 7$( didn9t t$e( in6esti4"te t$isD S*re&(3 t$e 5"#t t$"t "&&
4 tires 7ere 5&"t 7"s s*spi#io*s. (0!
T$e po&i#e 7ere s"id '( Me&od( M"8er to $"6e $"d t$eir &"st #ont"#t 7it$ K*rt on
Apri& 2nd3 '*t " report o5 t$"t in#ident 7"s not "%on4 5i&es s*pp&ied to t$e %"4"Gine. I5
t$is is #orre#t3 t$en t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e "re 7it$$o&din4 "n in#ident report 5or Apri& 2nd.
T$is %"( 'e " 7$ere K*rt #ont"#ted t$e% #o%p&"inin4 $is #"r $"d 'een 6"nd"&ised
(tires 7ere 5&"t! "nd t$"t $e 'e&ie6ed t$ere 7ere pro7&ers or '*r4&"rs (t$e 6er( s"%e
ones t$"t $e to&d t$e t"=i dri6er "'o*t t$"t %ornin4!. T$e 5"#t t$"t t$e po&i#e $"6e not
%"de t$is report "6"i&"'&e indi#"tes t$"t K*rt 5i&ed " #o%p&"int in 7$i#$ $e e=pressed
#on#ern o6er " person"& s"5et( %"tter. Co*&d t$e sin#e %*rdered Det. Terr( $"6e 'een
in6o&6ed 7it$ t$isD (.H2-!
T$"t ni4$t3 Co*rtne( $"d " 5riend p&"nt " p$on( stor( 7it$ t$e Asso#i"ted +ress
t$"t s$e $"d o6erdosed "nd 7"s in t$e $ospit"& (t$is 5"8e report 'e#o%es si4ni5i#"nt
&"ter on!. (3 p4.2!
S*nd"(3 Apri& -rd
Co*rtne( @o6e %*st r*e t$e d"( s$e $ired To% >r"nt. On E"ster S*nd"(3 s$e
pi#8ed t$e pri6"te in6esti4"tor9s n"%e "nd n*%'er 5ro% t$e @A Re&&o7 +"4es "nd #"&&ed
$is 5ir% in Be6er&( )i&&s. (H.! S$e s"id so%e'od( 7"s *sin4 $er $*s'"nd9s #redit #"rd
"nd s$e 7"nted To% to 5ind o*t 7$o it 7"s. )e initi"&&( t$o*4$t &itt&e o5 t$e "ssi4n%ent. <I
8ne7 6"4*e&( 7$o Nir6"n" 7"s.< s"id t$e +.I. (! To% "nd $is "sso#i"te3 Ben
K&*4%"n3 %et $er "t t$e +enins*&" )ote&. <I5 (o* &e"8 t$is to t$e press I9&& s*e t$e 5*#8
o*t o5 (o*3< s$e 7"rned3 "s t$e t7o in6esti4"tors 7"&8ed in t$e roo%. (3 p4.2! >r"nt
st"rted to 4et t$e 5ee&in4 t$"t "&& 7"s not ri4$t d*rin4 t$is %eetin4. <S$e to&d %e on t$e
p$one t$"t so%eone 7"s *sin4 $er $*s'"nd9s #redit #"rd "nd s$e 7"nted to 5ind o*t
7$o it 7"s3< re#o*nts >r"nt. <T$en3 7$en I %et $er "t t$e $ote&3 s$e #$"n4ed t$"t
i%%edi"te&( to3 <It9s not so%eone e&se *sin4 $is #"rd3 it9s $i%3 "nd I9% tr(in4 to &o#"te
$i%.< It ;*st 8ind o5 spre"d 5ro% t$ere. (!
Co*rtne( s"id $er $*s'"nd 7"s K*rt Co'"in "nd t$"t $e $"d re#ent&( 5&ed " dr*4
re$"'. S$e s"id s$e &ied to t$e '"n8 "nd $"d $is #redit #"rd #"n#e&&ed. S$e 7"nted To%
"nd Ben to #"&& t$e #redit #o%p"n( "nd tr"#8 t$e "tte%pted "#ti6ities on t$e #"rd. To%
#o*&dn9t *nderst"nd 7$( s$e didn9t do it $erse&53 "d6isin4 t$"t i5 $e #ont"#ted t$e '"n83
s$e 7o*&d 'e #$"r4ed U.0 ;*st 5or " p$one #"&&. Co*rtne( responded s"r#"sti#"&&(3
<:$"tD T$"t9s not eno*4$ %one( 5or (o*D< (3 p4.2!
S$e to&d t$e% K*rt $"d on&( one #redit #"rd "nd t$"t 7it$o*t it $e $"d no "##ess
to %one(. S$e 7ent on to s"( K*rt $"d no 5riends or "n(one e&se 7$o 7o*&d &o"n $i% "
5e7 do&&"rs. To% "nd Ben P*estioned $er %ore on K*rt9s in"'i&it( to 4et %one(. <T$is
4*( #"n9t e6en #"t#$ " 5*#8in4 #"' '( $i%se&5J< s$e insisted. (3 p4.2! S$e "&so to&d
t$e% "'o*t t$e stor( s$e p&"nted 7it$ t$e Asso#i"ted +ress t$e d"( 'e5ore3 #&"i%in4 it
7"s to s#"re K*rt "nd 4et $is "ttention3 so $e 7o*&d #ont"#t $er. @"ter in t$e "5ternoon3
s$e 7ent into "n "n4r( r"4e "'o*t t$e <2 H2 %i&&ion do&&"rs< K*rt 7"s t*rnin4 do7n. S$e
s"id3 <I5 $e doesn9t 7"nt t$e %one( $e o*4$t to do it 5or $is #$i&d3 5or Fr"n#es.< (3 p4.-!
T$e p$r"se3 <5or $is #$i&d3 5or Fr"n#es3< is dis#*ssed 5*rt$er in C$"pter 4: T$e <S*i#ide<
Note.
Co*rtne( s"id t$"t s$e 7o*&d p&"( t$e @o&&"p"&ooG" to*r "nd S"t*rd"( Ni4$t @i6e
i5 $e didn9t 7"nt to. S$e "&so spo8e "'o*t K*rt 7"ntin4 " di6or#e "nd o5 " pre,n*pti"&
"4ree%ent t$"t 7"s si4ned. <M( n"%e9s on "&& t$e $o*ses "nd "ssets3< s$e "dded.
Co*rtne( #&"i%ed s$e didn9t 8no7 7$ere K*rt 7"s "nd t$"t $e %i4$t $"6e 4one to
Se"tt&e or 5&o7n o*t e"st 7it$ Mi#$"e& Stipe. S$e initi"&&( 5"i&ed to %ention t$"t K*rt 7"s
seen "t t$eir @"8e :"s$in4ton $o%e t$e pre6io*s %ornin4 '( Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De:itt. C"&i
s"(s $e in5or%ed Co*rtne( on S"t*rd"( t$"t K*rt 7"s t$ere. (3 p4.-!
Co*rtne( $"d To% s*',#ontr"#t 7it$ Ernest 9Ernie9 B"rt$3 " Se"tt&e +.I.3 to 7"t#$
" dr*4 de"&er9s "p"rt%ent (C"it&in Moore9s residen#e , 2.3 p4.-2/! "nd ot$er &o#"tions3 in
#"se K*rt s$o7ed *p. S$e did not "s8 to $"6e t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se #$e#8ed ,
t$e one p&"#e K*rt $"d "#t*"&&( 'een seen. (3 p4.-! >i6en To%9s "ssertion t$"t K*rt
died &"te S*nd"( or e"r&( Mond"( %ornin43 t$is o%ission %"( $"6e #"*sed " 5"t"& <"nd
possi'&( de&i'er"te de&"( in $is in6esti4"tion. (! Co*rtne( o5ten s"id s$e t$o*4$t K*rt
7"s 7it$ KC"it&inL 'e5ore $e died. C"t&in Moore 7"s t$e dr*4 de"&er &i6in4 in Se"tt&e?s
C"pito& )i&& "re". Sin#e t$ere 7"s s*r6ei&&"n#e o5 C"it&in?s "p"rt%ent 5i&%in4 ne"r&(
e6er(one #o%in4 "nd 4oin43 it see%s odd Co*rtne( ne6er "s8ed 5or t$ese 6ideo t"pes.
(3 p4.22! Ernie B"rt$ "&so too8 t$e initi"ti6e to set *p s*r6ei&&"n#e on t$e @"8e
:"s$in4ton $o*se. Un5ort*n"te&(3 >r"nt in5or%ed Co*rtne( "'o*t t$is3 "nd s$e ordered
it to 'e re%o6ed on Apri& 0t$.
Fo$n Si&6" to&d MTI t$"t $e s"7 K*rt on t$is d"( (Se"tt&e Ti%es3 Apri& 1 224
edition!. C$ristop$er S"nd5ord9s 'oo8 reports t$"t " 7o%"n #"&&ed S"r" )oe$n s"7 K*rt
on t$is d"(. T$e( "pp"rent&( spo8e "'o*t t$e 403000 E"4&es 5"ns 7$o $"d &ined t$e
street t$"t %ornin4 to '*( ti#8ets 5or "n E"4&es #on#ert in @A. Q:e %i4$t "s 7e&& not $"6e
$"ppened?3 is )oe$n?s %e%or( o5 $is 7ords. (2.3 p4.-2/.! A nei4$'or "&so s"7 K*rt
sittin4 "t t$e &o#"& &"8eside p"r8. To% 'e&ie6es "n(one 7$o #&"i%s to $"6e spotted K*rt
"5ter 0:-0AM on Apri& 4t$ is eit$er &(in4 or does not e=ist. M*#$ o5 t$e in5or%"tion on
t$ese so,#"&&ed 7itnesses $"s 'een de&i'er"te&( p&"nted in t$e %edi". (3 p4..! (See
C$"pter - , )n*nown Sources in t$is 'oo8 5or %ore "'o*t t$e p&"nted stories!
On S*nd"(3 Apri& -3 Co'"in3 or so%eone e&se 7it$ "##ess to $is #redit,#"rd
n*%'er3 "tte%pted se6er"& #$"r4es. B"n8 re#ords s$o7 t$"t " U300 #$"r4e 7"s
denied %id,"5ternoon3 5o&&o7ed '( " series o5 re;e#ted "tte%pts r"n4in4 5ro% U23.00 to
U.30003 "pp"rent&( to tr( to 4et #"s$. On Mond"( %ornin43 Apri& 43 t$ere 7ere t7o
*ns*##ess5*& "tte%pts to 4et U1/./0 7ort$ o5 5&o7ers. (0! T$is "'r*pt #$"n4e in #redit
#"rd "tte%pts is "not$er indi#"tion t$"t K*rt died Mond"( %ornin4. :$oe6er tried to '*(
t$ese 5&o7ers %"( $"6e 7"nted to p*t t$e% "t t$e #ri%e s#ene: it 7o*&d &oo8 %ore &i8e "
s*i#ide.
Mond"(3 Apri& 4t$
To% 7ent '"#8 to t$e +enins*&" )ote& 7$ere Co*rtne( in5or%ed $i% t$"t s$e
$"d 5i&ed " %issin4 person9s report pretendin4 to 'e :end( O9Conner3 K*rt9s %ot$er. (3
p4.-! S$e "&so to&d To% t$"t <e6er(one t$in8s $e9s 4oin4 to die.< (ti%e&ine! As To%
%onitored t$e Se"tt&e s*r6ei&&"n#e te"%3 $e #ontin*ed to 7or8 7it$ t$e '"n8 to tr"#8 t$e
*se o5 K*rt9s #redit #"rd. So%eone 7"s "tte%ptin4 to *se it 5or 6"rio*s #$"r4es.
Co*rtne( "d6ised t$e To% t$"t K*rt on&( st"(s in t$e 'est $ote&s3 so t$e( 'e4"n #"&&in4
$ote&s in t$e Se"tt&e "re" o*t o5 t$e p$one 'oo8. (3 p4.-!
At so%e point3 To% 'e&ie6ed t$e( $"d &o#"ted K*rt *nder one o5 t$e "&i"ses
Co*rtne( $"d pro6ided. :$en $e noti5ied $er3 s$e s"id to 8eep 7"t#$in4 t$e $ote&3 '*t
t$"t s$e didn9t 7"nt K*rt to 8no7 t$e( 7ere &oo8in4 5or $i%. S$e $"d pre6io*s&(
%entioned K*rt 7"s s*i#id"&3 so no7 To% 7ondered 7$( s$e didn9t 7"nt t$e po&i#e or
so%e'od( e&se to 4o to t$e roo% "nd s"6e $i%. (3 p4.-! @ess t$"n "n $o*r &"ter
Co*rtne( to&d To% s$e #"&&ed t$e roo% "nd it 7"sn9t K*rt. O5 #o*rse3 no7 To%
7ondered 7$( s$e 7o*&d #"&& t$e $ote& roo%3 sin#e s$e "pp"rent&( didn9t 7"nt K*rt to
8no7 "'o*t t$e se"r#$. (3 p4.4!
Co*rtne( 7"s "&so inter6ie7ed '( Ro'ert )i&'*rn o5 t$e @A Ti%es. D*rin4 t$e
inter6ie73 s$e '*rst into te"rs "nd did " *,t*rn3 s"(in4 s$e didn?t #"re "'o*t K*rt p*&&in4
o*t o5 @o&&"p"&ooG"3 "nd t$"t s$e ;*st ne6er 7"nted to see K*rt on t$e 5&oor &i8e t$"t
"4"in3 re5errin4 to t$e Ro%e in#ident. :$en )i&'*rn "s8ed "'o*t $er &(ri#s KI &ie3 "nd &ie3
"nd &ie3L s$e rep&ied te"sin4&( ()i&'*rn?s 7ords!: QIt?s ;*st "d%ittin4 t$"t I #"n 'e
dis$onest3 t$"t I #"n 'e " &i"r.9 E&se7$ere in t$e "rti#&e )i&'*rn 7rote: QS$e #&e"r&( en;o(s
'ein4 " st"r.? Co*rtne( to )i&'*rnO KE6er(one &i8es to 4ossip "'o*t %e3L S$e s"id3
pointin4 to " M"#intos$ #o%p*ter t$"t sits "#ross t$e roo% in its p"#8in4 #ont"iner. QOne
o5 t$e re"sons I 4ot t$"t is so I #"n re"d "&& t$e 4ossip "'o*t %e on A%eri#" On&ine.?
(@os An4e&es Ti%es Apri& 0 224!.
T*esd"(3 Apri& .t$
At 4p% on t$is d"( >i&&i"n >""r3 " ;o*rn"&ist 5or t$e Se"tt&e Ro#8et %"4"Gine
#"&&ed Co*rtne( "t t$e Be6er&( )i&&s +enins*&" )ote&. >""r 7"s *n"'&e to t"&8 to
Co*rtne( so s$e spo8e to $er '"ssist3 Eri# Er&"ndson3 5or "n $o*r. T$e Ro#8et $oped to
$"6e )o&e on its #o6er 5or t$e ne=t edition. Eri# pro%ised t$e% $e?d tr( to 4et Co*rtne(
to do t$e inter6ie7. A5ter Co*rtne( 5"i&ed to #ont"#t >i&&i"n >""r '( noon3 Apri& /3 t$e
Ro#8et 4"6e t$e #o6er stor( to so%eone e&se.
In 2003 C$"r&es Cross reported t$"t Co*rtne( sent Eri# Er&"ndson to Se"tt&e on
Apri& .t$ to &oo8 5or K*rt. In order to p&"#e Er&"ndson in Se"tt&e on t$"t d"te3 Cross
#$"n4ed t$e ti%e&ine ("nd #ir#*%st"n#es! "s 4i6en '( >""r3 to: ?n Tuesday a!ternoon
9o! April >: (ourtney sent 5ole/s Eric Erlandson to the &a*e $ashington home to loo*
!or Kurt.... (ourtney had %een scheduled to do a phone interview with The #oc*et on
Tuesday morning. Erlandson phoned the maga3ine and said it would have to %e
postponed...(Q)e"6ier T$"n )e"6en? p"4e --.!.
In " Se"tt&e po&i#e report d"ted Apri& 1 2243 it is #&e"r t$"t Co*rtne( "rr"n4ed 5or
To% >r"nt to 4o to Se"tt&e. T$ere 7"s no %ention t$"t Co*rtne( $"d sent Eri#
Er&"ndson to Se"tt&e on Apri& .t$. Cross si%p&( "##epted %isin5or%"tion 4i6en to $i% '(
@o6e3 "s 5"#t3 e6en t$o*4$ it #ontr"di#ts >i&&i"n >""r "nd t$e po&i#e reports. (2/!
:ednesd"(3 Apri& /t$
On t$e %ornin4 o5 Apri& /3 so%eone tried to #$"r4e U3.0../ 5or " #"s$ "d6"n#e
on K*rt9s #redit #"rd "t 0:00 ".%. Se"First '"n8 re#ords indi#"te t$e #"rd 7"s not
present3 so it %"( $"6e 'een " p$one #$"r4e or "n in,person "tte%pt 7it$o*t t$e #"rd.
No ot$er in5or%"tion 7"s s"6ed '( t$e '"n8. (0! Co*rtne( "&so #"&&ed so%e e&e#tri#"&
#ontr"#tors "nd instr*#ted t$e% to 'e4in 7or8 on t$e &i4$ts "nd %otion dete#tor on t$e
4reen$o*se. Did s$e "&re"d( 8no7 K*rt9s 'od( 7"s insideD :"s s$e tr(in4 to 4et $i%
dis#o6eredD (3 p4.2.! C"&i 7"s seen #o%in4 "nd 4oin4 5ro% $o*se3 "&on4 7it$ e&e#tri#"&
#ontr"#tors (2.3 p4.-22!. D(&"n C"r&son st"ted t$"t C"&i $"d #"&&ed to "s8 i5 $e $"d seen
K*rt. (C"r&son?s inter6ie7 7it$ t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e3 2 Apri& 224!.
B( t$is st"4e Co*rtne( $"d 5in"&&( in5or%ed To% t$"t K*rt 7"s seen "t t$e $o*se
on Apri& 2nd. Sin#e K*rt sti&& $"d not 'een &o#"ted3 To% o55ered to person"&&( 5&( to
Se"tt&e "nd #ontin*e t$e se"r#$. One o5 Co*rtne(9s 5riends in t$e roo% s"id3 <:$( don9t
(o* 4o *p t$ere Co*rtne(D< S$e rep&ied3 <I #"n9t. I $"6e '*siness I $"6e to t"8e #"re o5
$ere.< To% "s8ed Co*rtne( not to te&& "n(one $e 7"s #o%in4 'e#"*se t$e( %i4$t "&ert
K*rt. S$e "4reed3 '*t &"ter s$e #"&&ed C"&i "nd to&d $i% "'o*t it. At 5irst3 Co*rtne( s"id
s$e didn9t tr*st C"&i. No7 s$e #&"i%ed3 <)e 7on9t te&& "n(one.< As To% &e5t t$e +enins*&"
)ote& t$"t "5ternoon "nd $e"ded 5or t$e "irport3 s$e s$o*ted dr"%"ti#"&&(3 <S"6e t$e
A%eri#"n i#on3 To%J< (3 p4.4!
B( t$"t e6enin4 To% 7"s in Se"tt&e. At "ro*nd :-0+M $e pi#8ed *p K*rt9s
5riend D(&"n C"r&son "t $is "p"rt%ent. At " &o#"& #"5e3 t$e( p&"nned " str"te4( "nd spo8e
"'o*t 7$"t 7"s 4oin4 on. To% "s8ed D(&"n i5 $e 5e&t K*rt 7"s s*i#id"&. )e "ns7ered3
<No3 not "t "&&. )e9s *nder " &ot o5 press*re '*t $e9s $"nd&in4 t$in4s prett( 4ood.< To%
"s8ed i5 D(&"n $"d e6er 'een to&d t$e Ro%e in#ident 7"s "#t*"&&( " s*i#ide "tte%pt.
D(&"n rep&ied3 <No. K*rt s"id it 7"s ;*st "n "##ident.< I5 K*rt 7"s so s*i#id"&3 "nd $"d
<tried to 8i&& $i%se&5< " %ont$ 'e5ore3 To% 7ondered 7$( no one #&*ed in t$e 4*( $e
$"n4s o*t 7it$. One 7o*&d "ss*%e t$"t D(&"n #o*&d $"6e 8ept " #&ose e(e on K*rt3
pre6entin4 $i% 5ro% $"6in4 "n( "##ess to 4*ns. (3 p4.4!
D(&"n s"id K*rt $"d 'een "5r"id o5 intr*ders "t t$e $o*se &"te&( "nd 7"nted " 4*n
5or prote#tion. )e t"&8ed "'o*t $o7 t$e t7o $"d 'o*4$t t$e s$ot4*n so it 7o*&d 'e t$ere
7$en K*rt ret*rned 5ro% t$e E=od*s #enter. )e e=p&"ined $o7 K*rt didn9t 7"nt t$e 4*n
re4istered in $is n"%e sin#e t$e po&i#e $"d #on5is#"ted "&& $is ot$er 5ire"r%s. To% "nd
D(&"n &e5t t$e #"5e to #$e#8 " dr*4 de"&er9s "p"rt%ent on C"pito& )i&& "nd se6er"& $ote&s
on t$e A*ror" strip. To% %entioned Co*rtne(9s st"te%ent t$"t K*rt "&7"(s #$ooses to
st"( in t$e <'est $ote&s.< <No $e doesn9t3< D(&"n "ppe"red #on5*sed3 <)e *s*"&&( st"(s in
so%e prett( r"tt( p&"#es.< :$i&e t$e( dro6e "ro*nd3 To% "s8ed i5 t$e( s$o*&d stop '(
K*rt9s %o%9s $o*se. D(&"n rep&ied3 <No. K*rt 7o*&dn9t 4o t$ere. )e doesn9t 4et "&on4
7it$ $is %o%.< (3 p4.4!
T$*rsd"(3 Apri& 0t$
To% "nd D(&"n p*&&ed *p in 5ront o5 t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se. To% 7"ited in
t$e #"r 7$i&e D(&"n 7"&8ed *p "&one3 "s t$e( $"d pre6io*s&( p&"nned. To% did not 7"nt
K*rt to 8no7 $e 7"s t$ere3 i5 t$e( #o*&d $e&p it. D(&"n #"%e '"#8 to t$e #"r "t &e"st 5i6e
%in*tes &"ter s"(in4 no one 7"s $o%e. To% 7ondered 7$( it too8 so &on4 i5 no one 7"s
t$ere (it9s possi'&e t$"t D(&"n %"( $"6e r*n into C"&i d*rin4 t$ose 5i6e %in*tes!.
D(&"n "nd To% t$en 7ent to " p"( p$one "nd #"&&ed Co*rtne(3 7$o 7"s "t
Rose%"r( C"rro&&9s $o*se in @os An4e&es. D(&"n t"&8ed 7it$ Co*rtne(3 "nd To%
reP*ested t$"t s$e #"&& t$e se#*rit( #o%p"n( to t*rn o55 t$e "&"r% so t$e( #o*&d 4et in
t$e $o*se. (3 p4..! D*rin4 t$is #"&&3 Rose%"r( o6er$e"rd Co*rtne( te&& D(&"n to #$e#8
t$e 4reen$o*se. S$ort&( "5ter t$is #"&&3 Co*rtne( ret*rned to t$e +enins*&" )ote& "nd
pro%pt&( <o6erdosed<. A #"&& 7"s %"de to 2 5ro% $er $ote& roo%3 s$e 7"s "rrested
"nd t"8en to $ospit"&. (2/!
A5ter ret*rnin4 to t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton residen#e3 To% "nd D(&"n 4"ined "##ess
t$ro*4$ "n *n&o#8ed 8it#$en 7indo7. :$i&e t$e( se"r#$ed inside3 D(&"n #o%%ented3
<I96e ne6er seen t$e $o*se t$is #&e"n 'e5ore.< A te&e6ision 7"s sti&& on in one o5 t$e
'edroo%s *pst"irs "nd t$e 'ed 7"s *n%"de. D(&"n s"id t$is 7"s C"&i9s roo%. T$e(
didn9t 5ind K*rt: D(&"n 5"i&ed to %ention t$e roo% "'o6e t$e 4"r"4e3 "nd sin#e it 7"s d"r8
"nd r"inin43 To% $"dn9t noti#ed it. D(&"n 7"s dropped o55 "t $is "p"rt%ent "nd To%
$e"ded '"#8 to t$e $ote& 5or " 5e7 $o*rs o5 s&eep. (3 p4..!
At :-0 p.%.3 Ben K&*4%"n #"&&ed Ernie B"rt$ to $"6e t$e s*r6ei&&"n#e o5 t$e
@"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se re%o6ed. Me"n7$i&e3 Co*rtne( 7"s r*s$ed to " @os An4e&es
$ospit"& 5or 7$"t $er &"7(er s"id 7"s "n "&&er4i# re"#tion to pres#ription dr*4s. +o&i#e
"rrested $er 5or s*spe#ted $eroin possession3 '*t t$e prose#*tors &"ter s"id t$e
s*'st"n#e 7"s &e4"& "nd de#&ined to 5i&e #$"r4es. A&so t$"t d"(3 "t 4 p.%.3 C"&i too8 "
t"=i to t$e "irport "nd 5&e7 to @os An4e&es3 &e"6in4 t$e $o*se e%pt(. (0! )e &"ter s"id3
<Co*rtne( "##*sed %e o5 $idin4 K*rt3< so $e 5&e7 to @os An4e&es to protest $is
inno#en#e. (2.3 p4.-22!. T$e stor( 7"s t$"t Co*rtne( needed re"ss*rin43 s$e #&"i%ed to
>r"nt t$"t s$e t$o*4$t C"&i $"d 'een s$ie&din4 K*rt 5ro% $er. T$is inter"#tion 'et7een
Co*rtne( "nd C"&i 7o*&d i%p&( t$e( $"d 'een in re4*&"r #ont"#t sin#e $is #"&& to $er on
Apri& 2nd. Ret s$e did not #on6e( t$e e=tent o5 $er 5e"rs '( 4ettin4 $i% to #$e#8 t$e 4*n
#&oset "nd t$e 4reen$o*se. Neit$er did s$e $"6e $i% #onst"nt&( %onitor t$e pro#eedin4s
"t @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se. (2/!
I5 Co*rtne( 4en*ine&( t$o*4$t C"&i 7"s s$ie&din4 K*rt3 t$e %ost &o4i#"& "#tion
7o*&d 'e to in5or% To% >r"nt o5 t$is sit*"tion3 '*t s$e didn?t do t$is. T$e on&( ot$er
possi'i&it( is t$"t $er "'o6e #&"i% 7"s " s%o8es#reen3 #o6erin4 *p t$e 5"#t s$e 7"s
#onspirin4 7it$ C"&i to 8eep K*rt?s 7$ere"'o*ts *n8no7n3 "t &e"st *nti& Apri& /t$3 4i6in4
"%p&e ti%e to p&"nt 5"&se &e"ds "nd "&i'is. C"&i 7"s "'sent d*rin4 t$e se"r#$ 5or K*rt3
'et7een Apri& 2,.t$. On Apri& /t$ $e s*dden&( 'e#"%e e"4er to e%p$"sise $e 7"s tr(in4
to &o#"teH#ont"#t K*rt '( p$onin4 D(&"n to "s8 i5 $e $"d seen K*rt (D(&"n9s Apri& 2
po&i#e report! "nd &e"6in4 " note to K*rt on t$e st"irs o5 t$e $o*se.
To% pi#8ed *p D(&"n &"ter "nd t$e( res*%ed t$e se"r#$3 spendin4 %ost o5 t$e
d"( #$e#8in4 o*t K*rt9s $"n4o*ts "nd t"&8in4 to peop&e 7$o %i4$t 8no7 7$ere $e 7"s.
(3 p4..! T$e( 5o*nd one o5 K*rt9s t7o #"rs in 5ront o5 " 5riend9s $o*se 7it$ " <FOR
SA@E< si4n on it. To% 8no7s 7$o dro6e t$e #"r to t$is &o#"tion '*t s"(s it is irre&e6"nt
"nd 7i&& not dis#*ss 5*rt$er det"i&s *nti& t$e #"se is reopened. D(&"n #$e#8ed t$e #"r 5or
"n( #&*es "s to K*rt9s 7$ere"'o*ts3 '*t 5o*nd none. (3 p4./!
As e6enin4 "ppro"#$ed3 t$e( $e"ded 5or C"rn"tion3 " s%"&& to7n "'o*t -0 %i&es
e"st o5 Se"tt&e 7$ere t$e Co'"in9s o7ned t7o 6"#"nt #"'ins sit*"ted on se6er"& "#res o5
propert(. D(&"n 'e#"%e *ns*re o5 $o7 to 4et t$ere in t$e d"r83 "nd 7it$ t$e in#re"sin4
r"in3 t$e( de#ided to t*rn '"#8. To% p*&&ed o6er to " p"( p$one "nd D(&"n %"de " #"&&.
:$en $e ret*rned to t$e #"r3 $e s"id3 <Co*rtne(9s $"d so%e tro*'&e. S$e9s 'een
"rrested "nd s$e9s in t$e $ospit"&.< (3 p4..!
D(&"n e6ent*"&&( %"n"4ed to spe"8 to Co*rtne( on t$e p$one to 4et 5*rt$er
instr*#tions. S$e 7"nted t$e% to 4o '"#8 to t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se to &oo8 5or t$e
s$ot4*n in " $idden #o%p"rt%ent inside t$e #&oset. Sin#e C"&i 7"s "t t$e $o*se P*ite "
&ot3 To% 7ondered 7$( s$e $"dn9t "s8ed t$e n"nn( to #$e#8 t$ere 'e5ore. At 2:4.+M3
t$e( ret*rned to t$e Co'"in $o*se. Inside3 To% 5o*nd " note 5ro% C"&i t$"t 7"s p&"#ed
on t$e %"in st"ir7"(. It 7"sn9t t$ere t$e ni4$t 'e5ore "nd To% $"d " 5ee&in4 it %i4$t
$"6e 'een &e5t t$ere 5or $i% to 5ind. (3 p4..!
(ali's oteJ
KURT,,
I #"nt Be&ie6e (o* %"n"4ed to Be in t$is )o*se 7it$o*t %e noti#e,
in4. (o*9re " 5*#8in "ss$o&e 5or not #"&&in4 Co*rtne( E "t &e"st
@ettin4 $er 8no7 t$"t (o*r O.K. S$e9s in "&ot o5 p"in K*rt3 "nd t$is
%ornin4 s$e $"d "not$er <"##ident< no7 s$e9s in t$e $ospit"&
"4"in. S$e9s (o*r /i#e E s$e @o6es (o* E (o* $"6e " #$i&d to4et$er
4et it to4et$er to "t @e"st te&& $er (o*r O.K. OR s$e is 4oin4 to
DIE. it9s not 5"ir %"n. Do So%et$in4 now. (p40!
:$en To% 7"s in Se"tt&e on T$*rsd"(3 C"&i to&d 5riends $e 7"s &e"6in4 5or @os
An4e&es. To% ne6er 4ot to see or t"&8 7it$ $i% 7$i&e $e 7"s in Se"tt&e3 '*t Co*rtne( $"d
noti5ied C"&i t$"t To% 7"s #o%in4 t$ere to se"r#$ 5or K*rt. I5 C"&i re"&&( 7"nted to $e&p3
$e #o*&d $"6e %"de $i%se&5 "6"i&"'&e to To% "nd D(&"n. A##ordin4 to t$is note3 $e
t$o*4$t K*rt $"d ret*rned to t$e $o*se. To% 7ondered $o7 C"&i 8ne7 t$is "nd 7$( $e
$"dn9t 'een to&d. I5 C"&i t$o*4$t " s*i#id"& K*rt %i4$t 'e "t t$e $o*se3 7$( didn9t $e sti#8
"ro*nd to $e&pD (3 p4.1! Upon 5*rt$er e="%in"tion3 To% 7ondered: Is t$is note 7ritten
to so%eone 7$o is s*pposed&( s*i#id"&3 '( so%eone 7$o "#t*"&&( #"redD Co*&d t$e note
$"6e 'een &e5t '( C"&i ;*st to #on6in#e ot$ers $e didn9t 8no7 7$ere K*rt 7"sD Is t$e note
5or Co*rtne(9s 'ene5it3 to #re"te s(%p"t$( 5or " 4rie6in4 7ido7D (3 p4.1! At :-. ".%.3
(et "not$er *ne=p&"ined #$"r4e 7"s "tte%pted on Co'"in?s #redit #"rd3 5or U4-.22. (-!
Frid"(3 Apri& 1t$
K*rt9s 'od( 7"s dis#o6ered t$"t Frid"( %ornin4 7$en e&e#tri#i"n >"r( S%it$
"rri6ed "t t$e Se"tt&e $o%e to inst"&& " ne7 se#*rit( s(ste%. T$ere 7"s no "ns7er "t t$e
5ront door3 "&t$o*4$ " te&e6ision 7"s on insideO so $e 4ot to 7or83 5o&&o7in4 7ires "&on4
t$e 4"r"4e to t$e 4reen$o*se roo% "'o6e it. @oo8in4 in " 7indo73 >"r( s"7 "n *p,
ended p&"nt3 "nd 7$"t $e initi"&&( t$o*4$t 7"s " %"nneP*in. It 7"s on&( 7$en $e noti#ed
t$e '&ood t$"t $e re"&ised $e 7"s 7ron4. At "'o*t 1.40 ".%.3 S%it$ #"&&ed t$e po&i#eO it
7"s $is e%p&o(er 7$o p$oned t$e &o#"& ro#8 r"dio st"tion KXRX. T$e( i4nored t$e
report "t 5irst. It too8 " se#ond #on6ers"tion "nd " #on5ir%"tion #"&& to t$e po&i#e to
#on6in#e t$e st"tion. B( 2:-0 ".%.3 t$e ne7s 7"s #*ttin4 into %ornin4 r*s$ $o*r tr"55i#.
(-!
D(&"n "nd To% 7ere on t$eir 7"( to t$e C"rn"tion propert( "4"in 7$en t$e(
stopped 5or 4"s. D(&"n 4ot o*t to %"8e " p$one #"&&. )e #"%e '"#8 to t$e #"r "nd s"id "
5riend ;*st to&d $i% " 'od( 7"s 5o*nd "t t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se. )e didn9t 8no7 i5 it
7"s K*rt3 C"&i3 or so%eone e&se. T$e( t*rned on t$e r"dio "nd 5o*nd o*t t$"t it 7"s3
indeed3 K*rt. D(&"n s$o7ed no re"#tion. @"ter it 7"s "nno*n#ed t$e 'od( 7"s
dis#o6ered in <t$e 4reen$o*se.< To% t*rned to D(&"n "nd "s8ed3 <:$"t9s t$e
4reen$o*seD< )e to&d To% it 7"s " roo% "'o6e t$e 4"r"4e. <:$( didn9t 7e &oo8 t$ereD<
"s8ed To%. <It9s ;*st " dirt( &itt&e roo%. I t$in8 t$e( 8eep so%e &*%'er t$ere or
so%et$in43< rep&ied D(&"n. (3 p4.1! In t$e M"( t$ iss*e o5 t$e Se"tt&e Ti%es3 D(&"n
to&d " Ti%es reporter $e didn?t 8no7 t$e 4reen$o*se e=isted. KFor "&& t$e ti%es I?d 'een
t$ere3 I didn?t e6en re"&iGe t$ere 7"s " roo% "'o6e it "sso#i"ted 7it$ t$e $o*se.L T$is
#ontr"di#ts t$e #on6ers"tion To% $"d 7it$ D(&"n. (3 p4.22! T$ese st"te%ents '( D(&"n
"re $i4$&( s*spi#io*s. )e 8ne7 t$e 4reen$o*se 7"s t$ere "nd t$"t it 7"s not " <dirt(
&itt&e roo%.< C"&i $"d e6en &i6ed in t$ere "t one pointJ (-!
To% #"&&ed $is o55i#e "nd spo8e 7it$ Ben K&*4%"n. T$e '"n8 $"d indi#"ted
so%eone 7"s tr(in4 to *se K*rt9s #redit #"rd "s re#ent "s Frid"( %ornin43 Apri& 1t$3 ;*st
$o*rs 'e5ore t$e 'od( 7"s 5o*nd. It 7"s soon &e"rned t$"t K*rt $"d 'een de"d 5or t7o
d"(s or %ore. So%eone $"d "tte%pted to *se t$e #"rd "5ter K*rt 7"s de"d3 stoppin4
on&( 7$en t$e 'od( 7"s dis#o6ered. (3 p4.132! To% #"&&ed t$e Se"tt&e $o%i#ide
dete#ti6es "nd tried to te&& t$e% so%et$in4 7"s 7ron4. T$e dete#ti6e in5or%ed To% t$"t
K*rt 7"s &o#8ed in t$e roo% '( $i%se&5. T$e po&i#e s"id t$e door 7"s &o#8ed 5ro% t$e
inside "nd t$e 5ire dep"rt%ent $"d to 're"8 " 7indo7 on t$e door to 4et in3 in5errin4 t$"t
K*rt $"d to $"6e 'een "&one in t$e 4reen$o*se 7$en $e died. To% "ss*%ed t$e( %*st
8no7 7$"t t$e(9re t"&8in4 "'o*t '*t re%"ined #*rio*s "'o*t 7$"t t(pe o5 door &o#8 it
7"s. (3 p4.2!
To% "&so spo8e to Co*rtne( on t$e p$one t$"t "5ternoon. )e s"(s s$e 7"sn9t "t
"&& *pset t$"t t$e( $"dn9t 5o*nd K*rt "nd "#ted &i8e s$e t$o*4$t K*rt died t$e ni4$t
'e5ore. Co*rtne( tried to 4et To% to t"&8 to t$e press '*t $e didn9t 7"nt to s"( "n(t$in4
*nti& %ore det"i&s e%er4ed. +ri6"te&(3 To% t$o*4$t t$e 7$o&e t$in4 s%e&&ed rotten. (3
p4.2!
:ednesd"(3 Apri& -t$
To% 5&e7 '"#8 to @os An4e&es "nd %et 7it$ Co*rtne(9s entert"in%ent &"7(er3
Rose%"r( C"rro&&3 "t $er )o&&(7ood o55i#e. S$e indi#"ted $er s*spi#ions "'o*t
Co*rtne(9s in6o&6e%ent in K*rt9s de"t$. <)e 7"sn9t s*i#id"&3 To%. )e 7"sn9t s*i#id"&J<
Rose%"r( '&*rted 7it$ " deep si4$. S$e 7ent on to s"( t$"t Co*rtne( $"d #"&&ed $er <"
#o*p&e o5 7ee8s "4o< "nd "s8ed $er to 5ind t$e <%e"nest3 %ost 6i#io*s di6or#e &"7(er<
s$e #o*&d 5ind. Co*rtne( "&so "s8ed $er i5 t$e pre,n*pti"& "4ree%ent #o*&d 'e 6oided.
Rose%"r( s"id K*rt #"&&ed "ro*nd t$is ti%e too: $e $"dn9t #o%p&eted $is 7i&& (et "nd $e
7"nted Co*rtne( t"8en o*t o5 it. A%on4 ot$er ite%s dis#*ssed3 Rose%"r( s"id s$e 7"s
dist*r'ed "nd so%e7$"t s*spi#io*s t$"t Co*rtne( 7o*&dn9t &et $er or "n(one e&se see
t$e <s*i#ide< note. (3 p4.2!
To% %entioned Co*rtne(9s #&"i% t$"t s$e #o*&dn9t 4o to Se"tt&e $erse&5 'e#"*se
s$e $"d '*siness in @os An4e&es. <S$e didn9t $"6e "n( '*siness in @.A.J< Rose%"r(
responded "nd pro#eeded to te&& To% t$"t on T$*rsd"( %ornin43 7$i&e Co*rtne( 7"s "t
$er $o*se t"&8in4 to D(&"n3 s$e o6er$e"rd Co*rtne( s"(3 <Be s*re "nd #$e#8 t$e
4reen$o*se.< Sin#e Co*rtne( dire#ted D(&"n to &oo8 in t$e 4reen$o*se3 To% 7ondered
7$( s$e didn9t $"6e C"&i #$e#8 it. Co*rtne(9s instr*#tions to D(&"n3 #o%'ined 7it$ $er
$irin4 o5 t$e e&e#tri#i"ns to 7or8 on t$e 4reen$o*se3 s*44ests s$e %"( $"6e 8no7n
K*rt9s 'od( t$ere. B( /:-0+M3 To% 7"s on $is 7"( '"#8 to Se"tt&e. (3 p4.20!
T$*rsd"(3 Apri& 4t$
A se#*rit( 4*"rd &et To% into t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton propert( 7$ere $e 5o*nd
Co*rtne( sittin4 "t t$e dinin4 roo% t"'&e. <I 4*ess I re"&&( 5o*nd t$e ri4$t +.I. t$is ti%e3<
Co*rtne( s"id "s $e s"t do7n to t"&8. T$e #o%%ent 7"s not s"r#"sti# "nd o'6io*s&(
%e"nt "s " #o%p&i%ent. A5ter " s$ort #on6ers"tion3 Co*rtne( 4ot *p 5or " #i4"rette "nd "
&"d( 7"&8ed o6er to 7$ere To% 7"s sittin4. S$e 7"s 7e"rin4 " '&"#8 t,s$irt t$"t re"d3
<>r*n4e Is De"d3< "nd To% "ss*%ed s$e 7"s " re&"ti6e o5 K*rt9s3 %"('e " sister or
#o*sin. S$e stood in 5ront o5 $i% "nd "s8ed3 <Ro*9re t$e in6esti4"torD< To% nodded
7$i&e s$e #ontin*ed3 <:$"t do (o* t$in8D< Not 8no7in4 7$o s$e 7"s3 $e rep&ied3 <I don9t
8no7. :$"t do (o* t$in8D< S$e "ns7ered '( introd*#in4 $erse&5. <:e&&3 I9% K*rt9s %o%3
:end(.. I don9t 8no7. So%et$in4 doesn9t see% ri4$t. :$( didn9t D(&"n &oo8 in t$e
4reen$o*seD< (3 p4.20!
To% s"id $e 7o*&d &i8e to sit do7n "nd t"&8 7it$ $er so%eti%e in t$e ne=t 5e7
d"(s. S$e "4reed "nd s"id s$e9d &i8e to t"&8 "s 7e&&. To% noti#ed Co*rtne( &oo8in4 o6er
$er s$o*&der "s $e spo8e 7it$ :end(. )e 5e&t Co*rtne( 7"s #on#erned "'o*t t$eir
#on6ers"tion. As s$e 7"&8ed '"#8 to7"rds t$e%3 :end( %o6ed "7"(. Co*rtne( 7ent
o6er to :end(3 p*t $er "r%s "ro*nd $er "nd 8issed $er. To% noti#ed Co*rtne(
7$isperin4 into :end(9s e"r. D*rin4 t$e rest o5 $is 6isit3 $e 5e&t :end( 7"s e6"si6e "nd
#oo& to7"rds $i%. (3 p4.20!
Co*rtne( 'ro*4$t To% *pst"irs 7$ere t$e( s"t on $er 'ed "nd t"&8ed. Sin#e s$e
$"dn9t e6en &et $er #&ose 5riend "nd &"7(er3 Rose%"r( C"rro&&3 see t$e <s*i#ide< note3
To% 8ne7 $e $"d to 5i4*re o*t " 7"( to see it "nd 4et " #op(. <I $e"rd (o* re"d t$e note
on TI t$e ot$er d"(3< $e to&d Co*rtne(. <I 7"s #on5*sed "'o*t so%et$in4. It so*nded
&i8e t$e note s"id3 9I9% &(in4 $ere on t$e 'ed...9 I5 K*rt 7"s &(in4 on t$e 'ed 7$en $e
7rote t$e note3< $e "s8ed3 <7$( 7"s t$e 'ed so ne"t 7$en I #"%e in $ere t$e ot$er
ni4$t. It didn9t &oo8 &i8e "n(one $"d 'een on t$is 'ed.< (3 p4.2!
<No3 To%3 I 7"s &(in4 on t$e 'ed3< Co*rtne( "ns7ered "nd repe"ted3 <I 7"s &(in4
on t$e 'ed re#ordin4 t$e %ess"4e to K*rt9s 5"ns.<
<Are (o* s*re t$"t9s 7$"t (o* s"idD< To% "s8ed. <I 4ot t$e i%pression it 7"s K*rt
s"(in4 he 7"s &(in4 on t$e 'ed.<
<No. )ere3 I9&& s$o7 (o*3< Co*rtne( s"id3 "s s$e re"#$ed to retrie6e " 5o&ded
p"per 5ro% *nder " pi&&o7. <It9s on&( " #op(3< Co*rtne( pointed o*t 7$i&e $"ndin4 To%
t$e note. <T$e po&i#e $"6e t$e ori4in"&.< )e st*died t$e note "s i5 to &oo8 5or t$e p$r"se in
P*estion3 t$en #o%%ented3 <I #"n9t re"d t$is 7it$o*t %( 4&"sses. C"n I 4o do7nst"irs
"nd %"8e " #op( o5 on (o*r 5"= %"#$ineD I9&& &oo8 "t it &"ter.< (3 p4.2!
<Re"$... s*re3< Co*rtne( %*%'&ed "s $er e(es #"%e o*t o5 "n i#( st"re. :$en
To% #"%e '"#8 *pst"irs3 Co*rtne( 7"s 8nee&in4 on t$e 5&oor &oo8in4 in " p$one 'oo8. A
te&ep$one 7"s on t$e 5&oor ne=t to $er. <:o*&d (o* 7"it do7nst"irs3 To%D< s$e sn"pped.
@"ter t$"t d"( t$e( %"de p&"ns to 4o to t$e C"rn"tion propert(. Eri# Er&"ndson3
)o&e?s 4*it"rist3 7"s s*pposed to 4o 7it$ t$e% '*t "t t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se
e"r&ier3 Co*rtne( too8 $i% into "not$er roo% to t"&8 in pri6"te. :$en t$e( #"%e o*t3 Eri#
&e5t t$e $o*se "&one in $is 6"n. KI t$o*4$t Eri# 7"s 4oin4 7it$ *sL s"id To%. K)e?&& %eet
*s t$ere3L Co*rtne( rep&ied. K"t B;e&&"nd3 4*it"rist 5or B"'es In To(&"nd3 rode "&on4 in
t$e '"#8 se"t o5 To%9s rent"& #"r "s t$e( dro6e to C"rn"tion. (3 p4.2!
D*rin4 t$e dri6e Co*rtne( 'e4"n t"&8in4 "'o*t t$e Kson o5 " 'it#$L 7$o 4"6e t$e
stor( to t$e Asso#i"ted +ress s"(in4 s$e $"d o6erdosed on Apri& 2nd. Co*rtne( soon
'e#"%e "4it"ted "nd 4r*%'&ed3 KI?% 4oin4 to 5ind o*t 7$o t$e $e&& it 7"s "nd s*e t$"t
%ot$er5*#8er 5or &i'e&. I #"n pro6e I 7"s "t t$e $ote&. +eop&e s"7 %e t$ere. It 7"s " tot"&
&ie.L
KRo* to&d %e (o* p&"nted t$"t stor(3L To% re%inded Co*rtne(. K)*$D NO$L s$e
responded "nd t$en t*rned to &oo8 o*t t$e 7indo7. (3 p4.2!
Co*rtne( 7"nted to stop t7i#e 5or sn"#8s. T$e( "&so %issed t$e t*rn o553 4ettin4
&ost te%por"ri&( "nd $"6in4 to so&i#it dire#tions 5ro% " ne"r'( 5"r%er. To% &"ter 5o*nd o*t
t$"t one o5 t$e $o*ses on t$e propert( $"d ;*st 'een '*i&t. Co*rtne( %i4$t $"6e 'een o*t
t$ere se6er"& ti%es 7$i&e t$e $o*se 7"s *nder #onstr*#tion3 "nd it 7"sn?t "&& t$"t di55i#*&t
to 5ind. )e 'e4"n to s*spe#t t$ese str"n4e de&"(s 7ere de&i'er"te. (3 p4.22! D*rin4 t$e
trip3 Co*rtne( t"&8ed to Se"tt&e n"r#oti#s Dete#ti6e Antonio Terr( on To%9s #"r p$one.
To% &"ter dis#o6ered s$e $"d t"&8ed to Terr( " &ot d*rin4 t$e ti%e K*rt 7"s %issin4. Det.
Terr( 7"s e6en %entioned in t$e %issin4 person?s report "s $"6in4 "ddition"&
in5or%"tion "'o*t K*rt. (3 p4.24!
:$en t$e( "rri6ed "t C"rn"tion3 To% noti#ed t$e t7o $o*ses on t$e propert(
re5&e#ted 7$"t $e $"d "&re"d( #o%e to 8no7 "'o*t K*rt "nd Co*rtne(?s indi6id*"&
person"&ities. One 7"s "n o&d 7e"t$ered #"'in 5*&& o5 7e&&,*sed 5*rnit*re "nd 'eddin4.
T$is is 7$ere K*rt "pp"rent&( 5e&t t$e %ost #o%5ort"'&e. T$e ot$er $o*se 7"s " 'r"nd
ne7 7ood,sided %"nsion3 6"#"nt "nd (et to 'e 5*rnis$ed. T$e t7o $o*ses 7ere
sep"r"ted '( " pond 7it$ " ne7&( #onstr*#ted 7"&8in4 'rid4e #onne#tin4 t$e o&d to t$e
ne7. T$e 4ro*p #$e#8ed t$e o&d #"'in 5irst. Co*rtne( "nd K"t 7ent *pst"irs to t$e &o5t
7$i&e To% st"(ed do7nst"irs to &oo8 "ro*nd. )e noti#ed " ;"#8et "nd ot$er #&ot$in4
spre"d "ro*nd t$e &i6in4 roo%. On t$e 5&oor ne"r t$e #o55ee t"'&e 7"s " &"r4e 'o=
#ont"inin4 not$in4 '*t Ro&&in4 Stone %"4"Gines3 "'o*t t$irt( or so. (3 p4.22!
B"sed on #on6ers"tions $e $"d in t$e #"r 7it$ Co*rtne(3 it 7"s "pp"rent s$e
7"nted To% to 'e&ie6e K*rt $"d 'een to t$e C"rn"tion propert( "5ter $e ret*rned to
Se"tt&e. :$en To% &oo8ed "ro*nd t$e o&d #"'in3 $o7e6er3 $e noti#ed e6er(t$in4 7"s
#o6ered 7it$ " 6er( t$in &"(er o5 %oss. T$e %oss 7"s present d*e to $i4$ $*%idit( "nd
it indi#"ted no one $"d dist*r'ed "n(t$in4 in t$e #"'in 5or P*ite so%e ti%e. (3 p4.22!
:$en Co*rtne( "nd K"t #"%e '"#8 do7nst"irs3 Co*rtne( re"#$ed into $er #o"t
po#8et "nd p*&&ed o*t " #&ot$ po*#$. K@oo8 To%. K*rt 7"s $ere3L s$e s"id3 "s s$e
opened t$e po*#$ re6e"&in4 " s(rin4e inside. ,o wayO7 $e t$o*4$t to %(se&5. To% didn9t
t$in8 it &oo8ed &i8e so%et$in4 K*rt 7o*&d *se to 8eep " s(rin4e in. I5 $e did 'rin4 it to t$e
#"'in3 7$( 7o*&d $e $"6e &e5t itD :$"t "'o*t t$e %ossD To% s*spe#ted Co*rtne( $"d
'ro*4$t t$e po*#$ 7it$ $er. K"t 7"&8ed o6er to t$e '"t$roo%3 7ent inside3 "nd 'e4"n
s#re"%in4 " 5e7 se#onds &"ter. T$ere 7ere 5i6e de"d r"ts in t$e toi&etJ T$e(?d o'6io*s&(
'een t$ere 5or P*ite so%e ti%e "nd it 7"s no7 o'6io*s t$"t no one $"d *sed t$is #"'in
re#ent&(. To%9s s*spi#ions 7ere #on5ir%ed. (3 p4.22!
In t$e ne7er %"nsion3 t$e( 5o*nd " s&eepin4 '"43 so%e #i4"rette '*tts "nd sod"
#"ns s#"ttered "'o*t. Co*rtne( 7"nted to t"8e t$ese ite%s '"#8 to 4et t$e%
5in4erprinted. $hat/s the %ig deal here+ To% 7ondered. $hy is it so important that she
proves Kurt was here recently+ )e noted t$"t Eri# ne6er s$o7ed *p "t t$e C"rn"tion
propert(. )"d $e #o%e "nd 4one 'e5ore t$e( "rri6edD (3 p4.22!
D*rin4 t$e dri6e '"#8 to t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton residen#e3 Co*rtne( "nno*n#ed
s$e 7"s 4oin4 to %"8e " r*''er $"nd 5ro% " #"st s$e?d %"de o5 K*rt?s $"nd. S$e s"id
s$e 7"s 4oin4 to *se it to s&"p peop&e in t$e 5"#e "nd s"(3 KT$ereJ T$"t?s 5ro% K*rtJL
To% %entioned $e $"d 7or8ed 7it$ $"nd #"sts "nd t$"t it 7"s "%"Gin4 one #o*&d e6en
d*p&i#"te 5in4erprints *sin4 #ert"in si&i#on %"teri"&s. Co*rtne( "ppe"red str"n4e&(
dis#o*r"4ed. A5ter t$is 'iG"rre #on6ers"tion3 To% ne6er $e"rd "n(t$in4 %ore "'o*t
printin4 t$e ite%s 5o*nd "t t$e C"rn"tion propert(. To% #o*&dn9t $e&p '*t t$in8 t$is 7"s
p"rt o5 " s#$e%e to #on6in#e peop&e K*rt $"d 'een to t$e C"rn"tion propert( "5ter
&e"6in4 t$e re$"' in @os An4e&es. (3 p4.2-!
:$i&e Co*rtne( 7"s o*t o5 t$e #"r d*rin4 one o5 o*r stops3 r"dio #o%%ent"tor
+"*& )"r6e( spo8e "'o*t " r*%ored s*i#ide p"#t 7$i#$ s*pposed&( e=isted 'et7een
Co*rtne( "nd K*rt. T$is 7"s t$e t(pi#"& 8ind o5 p&"nted stor( $e?d seen Co*rtne(
ori4in"te on $er o7n3 "nd t$en '&"%e ot$ers 5or &e"8in4. To% 7ondered i5 t$ere 7"s "
#onne#tion 'et7een $er 5"8e Ko6erdoseL S"t*rd"( ni4$t "nd $er possi'&e de&i'er"te
o6erdose "nd "rrest T$*rsd"( %ornin4. )"d s$e e=pe#ted K*rt to die S"t*rd"( ni4$tD
)"d s$e "nti#ip"ted so%eone 5indin4 $is 'od( s$ort&( t$ere"5terD :$en t$"t didn?t
$"ppen3 did s$e e=pe#t D(&"n "nd To% to 5ind $is 'od( T$*rsd"( %ornin4D )"d
Co*rtne( tried to %"8e t$is &oo8 &i8e " s*i#ide p"#tD (3 p4.24!
B"#8 "t t$e $o*se3 To% to&d Co*rtne( $e 7o*&d &i8e to spe"8 7it$ C"&i "nd D(&"n
to4et$er. Co*rtne( rep&ied3 KC"&i 7ent to re$"' in E& +"so3 or >eor4i"... no3 $e?s in @.A.
7it$ 5riends.L T$en s$e s$o*ted to Eri#3 KC"&& C"&i "nd te&& $i% to 4et '"#8 *p $ere on t$e
ne=t p&"ne.L D(&"n stopped '( $o*se3 '*t 7$en To% #"%e o*t o5 t$e 8it#$en to P*estion
$i% $e 7"s to&d D(&"n 7"s *pst"irs 7it$ Co*rtne( in t$e 'edroo%. T$e( #"%e '"#8
do7n "5ter "'o*t t7ent( %in*tes. It 7"s o'6io*s D(&"n $"d ;*st 4otten " $eroin 5i=. To%
too8 D(&"n into t$e 8it#$en to t"&83 '*t "s $e 'e4"n P*estionin43 $e noti#ed D(&"n9s
responses 7ere #"nned3 "s i5 $e?d ;*st re$e"rsed t$e%. As t$e( t"&8ed3 D(&"n 8ept
noddin4 o55 5ro% t$e $eroin. T$ere 7"s no sense in #ontin*in4 so To% &e5t t$e $o*se "nd
"s8ed Eri# Er&"ndson to #"&& $is $ote& roo% 7$en C"&i "rri6ed. A5ter se6er"& $o*rs3 To%
#"&&ed t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se "4"in. Eri# s"id t$"t "5ter To% &e5t3 Co*rtne( $"d $i%
p$one C"&i "nd te&& $i% $e didn?t $"6e to #o%e to Se"tt&e. Eri# s"id3 KI don?t 8no7 7$"t?s
4oin4 on $ereJL (3 p4.24!
Frid"( "nd S"t*rd"(3 Apri& .t$,/t$
Ben K&*4%"n 5&e7 to Se"tt&e to 7or8 7it$ To%. T$e t7o in6esti4"tors 7ent '"#8
to t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se to t"&8 to Co*rtne(. T$e &"d( 7$o "ns7ered t$e door to&d
t$e% Co*rtne( 7"s *pst"irs s&eepin4. To% "s8ed "'o*t :end(3 K*rt9s %ot$er. T$e
*n8no7n &"d( s"id :end( 7"s do7nst"irs. To% s"id to &et :end( 8no7 $e 7"s t$ere3
per$"ps t$e( #o*&d t"&8. T$e &"d( &e5t3 ret*rnin4 " #o*p&e o5 %in*tes &"ter to in5or% t$e%3
K:end( s"(s s$e $"s not$in4 to t"&8 to (o* "'o*t.L To% "nd Ben &e5t3 "nd "5ter 5o&&o7in4
*p on so%e ot$er &e"ds3 ret*rned to t$eir $ote&. (3 p4.24!
T$e e&e#tri#"& s*per6isor3 C$"r&es +e&&(3 7$o $"d 'een "t t$e s#ene o5 K*rt?s
de"t$3 %et 7it$ To% "nd Ben &"ter "t t$e $ote& roo%. C$"r&es to&d t$e% it &oo8ed "s i5
K*rt?s $"ir $"d 'een ne"t&( #o%'ed. To% re"&iGed t$is #o*&d $"6e 'een ;*st $is
perception '*t 7"nted to see t$e po&i#e p$otos to 'e s*re. C$"r&es "&so re6e"&ed t$"t
Co*rtne( #"&&ed t$e e&e#tri#"& #ontr"#tors on :ednesd"(3 Apri& /t$3 ('e5ore To% $"d
"4reed to 5&( to Se"tt&e! "nd instr*#ted t$e% to 'e4in 7or8 on t$e &i4$ts "nd %otion
dete#tor on t$e 4reen$o*se. (3 p4.2.!
C)A+TER 4 , T)E <SUICIDE< NOTE
To% 5"=ed o55 se6er"& do#*%ents3 in#&*din4 " #op( o5 t$e Ks*i#ide< note3 to t7o
sep"r"te do#*%ent e="%iners in @os An4e&es. (3 p4.2/! T$e note s"id not$in4 "'o*t
s*i#ide "nd 7"s not e6en "ddressed to Co*rtne( "nd Fr"n#es3 "s so%e %edi" so*r#es
$"6e reported. T$e note 7"s to Nir6"n" 5"ns e=p&"inin4 K*rt9s de#ision to P*it t$e %*si#
'*siness3 to stop to*rin4 "nd per5or%in4. T$ere 7"s " post,s#ript "t t$e 'otto% o5 t$e
note 7$i#$ "ddresses Co*rtne( "nd Fr"n#es3 '*t t$e $"nd7ritin4 o5 t$ese &ines 7"s
P*estioned '( t$e e="%iners3 "nd "ppe"rs to $"6e 'een "dded &"ter on. (3 p4.13 -2!
To% 'e&ie6ed K*rt 7rote t$e entire &etter 7it$ t$e e=#eption o5 t$e &ines "t t$e
'otto% (t$e on&( p"rt o5 t$e note t$"t is s"id to 'e <s*i#id"&<!. Upon #&oser e="%in"tion3
t$e t$i#8ness o5 t$e &ine print in t$ese 7ords3 "ppe"rs to 'e t$inner t$"n t$e &ine print in
t$e rest o5 t$e note. T$is %"( indi#"te " di55erent 7ritin4 instr*%ent3 &ess pen press*re3
or " di55erent K7riterL "&to4et$er. Se6er"& e=perts st*died t$is &etter "nd %ost $"6e
#on#&*ded t$ese &ines 7ere 7ritten K'( "not$er $"nd.L (3 p4../!
T$e ori4in"& &etter 7"s on " &e4"& siGe pie#e o5 p"per. T$ere 7"s " %"r8in4 in t$e
*pper ri4$t,$"nd #orner o5 t$e note 7$i#$ 7"s done '( t$e po&i#e3 "nd " si4n"t*re "t t$e
'otto% '( t$e po&i#e #"pt"in 7$o re#ei6ed it. T$e &etter s$o7s K*rt 7"s #on#erned "'o*t
$is 5"ns. It 7"s not " note '( " se&5,#entered 5"t$er 7it$ no #on#ern 5or $is d"*4$ter. As
(o* re"d t$e tr"ns#ript 'e&o73 does it so*nd &i8e so%eone 7$o didn?t #"re "'o*t t$e
i%"4es $e?d &e"6e $is &itt&e 4ir& ,,i%"4es o5 6io&en#e "nd p$(si#"& destr*#tion t$"t
Fr"n#es 7o*&d 'e 5or#ed to 6is*"&iGe t$e rest o5 $er &i5e 7$ene6er s$e t$o*4$t "'o*t $er
d"dD Tr( to *nderst"nd 7$"t 7"s on K*rt?s %ind 7$en $e 7rote t$is &etter. (3 p4../!
TRANSCRI+T:
To 6oddah pronounced
Spe"8in4 5ro% t$e ton4*e o5 "n e=perien#ed si%p&eton 7$o o'6io*s&(
7o*&d r"t$er 'e "n e%"s#*&"ted3 in5"nti&e #o%p&"inee. T$is note s$o*&d
'e prett( e"s( to *nderst"nd. A&& t$e 7"rnin4s 5ro% t$e p*n8 ro#8 0
#o*rses o6er t$e (e"rs. Sin#e %( 5irst introd*#tion to t$e3 s$"&& 7e s"(3 et$i#s
in6o&6ed 7it$ independen#e "nd t$e e%'r"#e%ent o5 (o*r #o%%*nit( $"s pro6en
to 'e 6er( tr*e. I $"6en?t 5e&t t$e e=#ite%ent o5 &istenin4 to "s 7e&& "s #re"tin4 %*si#
"&on4 7it$ re"din4 "nd 7ritin4 5or too %"n( (e"rs no7. I 5ee& 4*i&t( 'e(ond 7ords "'o*t
t$ese t$in4s. For e="%p&e 7$en 7e?re '"#8st"4e "nd t$e &i4$ts 4o o*t "nd t$e %"ni#
ro"r o5 t$e #ro7d 'e4ins it doesn?t "55e#t %e t$e 7"( in 7$i#$ it did 5or Fredd( Mer#*r(
7$o
see%ed to &o6e.0 re&is$ in t$e &o6e "nd "dor"tion 5ro% t$e #ro7d. :$i#$ is so%et$in4
I tot"&&( "d%ire "nd en6(. T$e 5"#t is I #"n?t 5oo& (o*. An( one o5 (o*.
It si%p&( isn?t 5"ir to (o* or %e. T$e 7orst #ri%e I #"n t$in8 o5 7o*&d 'e to
rip peop&e o55 '( 5"8in4 it "nd pretendin4 "s i5 I?% $"6in4 00 Y 5*n. So%eti%es I 5ee& "s
i5 I s$o*&d $"6e " p*n#$ in ti%e #&o#8 'e5ore I 7"&8 o*t on st"4e. I?6e tried e6er(t$in4
7it$in %( po7er to "ppre#i"te it3 ("nd I do. >od3 'e&ie6e %e I do3 '*t it?s not eno*4$.!
I "ppre#i"te t$e 5"#t t$"t I "nd 7e $"6e "55e#ted "nd entert"ined " &ot o5 peop&e.
I %*st 'e one o5 t$ose n"r#issists 7$o on&( "ppre#i"te t$in4s 7$en t$e(?re
4one. I?% too sensiti6e. I need to 'e s&i4$t&( n*%' in order to re4"in t$e ent$*si"s%
I on#e $"d "s " #$i&d. On o*r &"st t$ree to*rs I?6e $"d " %*#$ 'etter "ppre#i"tion
5or "&& t$e peop&e I?6e 8no7n person"&&( "nd "s 5"ns o5 o*r %*si#3 '*t I sti&& #"n?t 4et o6er
t$e 5r*str"tion3 t$e 4*i&t "nd e%p"t$( I $"6e 5or e6er(one. T$ere?s 4ood in "&& o5 *s "nd I
t$in8 I si%p&( &o6e peop&e too %*#$. So %*#$ t$"t it %"8es %e 5ee& too 5*#8in4 s"d. T$e
s"d
&itt&e3 sensiti6e3 *n"ppre#i"ti6e3 pis#es3 Fes*s %"nJ :$( don?t (o* ;*st en;o( itD I don?t
8no7.
I $"6e " 4oddess o5 " 7i5e 7$o s7e"ts "%'ition "nd e%p"t$( "nd " d"*4$ter 7$o
re%inds
%e too %*#$ o5 7$"t I *sed to 'e. F*&& o5 &o6e "nd ;o( 8issin4 e6er( person s$e %eets
'e#"*se e6er(one is 4ood3 "nd 7i&& do $er no $"r%. And t$"t terri5ies %e to t$e point to
7$ere I #"n '"re&( 5*n#tion. I #"n?t st"nd t$e t$o*4$t o5 Fr"n#es 'e#o%in4 t$e %iser"'&e
se&5,destr*#ti6e3 de"t$ ro#8er t$"t I?6e 'e#o%e. I $"6e it 4ood3 6er( 4ood3 "nd I?%
4r"te5*&3 '*t sin#e t$e "4e o5 se6en I?6e 'e#o%e $"te5*& to7"rds "&& $*%"ns in 4ener"&.
On&( 'e#"*se it see%s so e"s( 5or peop&e to 4et "&on43 "nd $"6e e%p"t$(. E%p"t$(J
On&( 'e#"*se I &o6e "nd 5ee& 5or peop&e too %*#$ I 4*ess. T$"n8 (o* "&& 5ro% t$e pit o5
%( '*rnin4 n"*seo*s
sto%"#$ 5or (o*r &etters "nd #on#ern d*rin4 t$e p"st (e"rs. I?% too %*#$ o5 "n err"ti#3
%ood( '"'(J I don?t $"6e t$e p"ssion "n(%ore "nd so re%e%'er3 its 'etter to '*rn o*t
t$"n to
5"de "7"(. pe"#e &o6e3 e1)$t23. K*rt Co'"in
Fr"n#es "nd Co*rtne(3 I?&& 'e "t (o*r "&t"r.
"lease *eep going (ourtney
!or Frances
!or her li!e which will %e so much happier
without me.. I love you. I &?8E ;?)O
(3 p4..0!
K*rt %entions $is <'*rnin43 n"*seo*s sto%"#$< in t$e note. B( 2243 $is
sto%"#$ "i&%ent $"d 'een tre"ted "nd $e $"d spent t$e &"st (e"r p"in,5ree. T$is note
7"s 7ritten %*#$ e"r&ier3 %"('e " (e"r or %ore3 7$en K*rt 5e&t $e didn9t <$"6e t$e
p"ssion "n(%ore<. (-3 p4.1/H0! So%e 7riters #&"i% t$e &etter doesn?t %"8e %*#$ sense.
T$is is 'e#"*se t$e(?re re"din4 it in t$e #onte=t o5 " Ks*i#ideL note. On#e (o* re"&iGe it?s
si%p&( " retire%ent &etter3 it "&& #o%es to4et$er "nd %"8es per5e#t sense. K*rt 7rote it to
e=p&"in $is de#ision to Nir6"n" 5"ns. (3 p4..2!
In "n "rti#&e 7ritten " #o*p&e o5 (e"rs "4o3 :end( 0? Conner3 K*rt?s %ot$er s"(s
$e $"d "n i%"4in"r( #$i&d$ood 5riend n"%ed KBod"$.L T$e "ddition o5 t$e 7ord
Kprono*n#edL "5ter t$e n"%e Bodd"$ on t$e KnoteL see%s to 'e " spirit*"& re5eren#e to
K*rt?s 'e&ie5s in B*dd$is%. A&t$o*4$ it %"( "ppe"r to so%e 7$o $"6e no *nderst"ndin4
o5 B*dd$is% t$"t t$is 7"s &i8e "ddressin4 " &etter to >od3 t$e ter%s *sed $ere 7o*&d
%ore "##*r"te&( 'e interpreted "s3 Kto "&& 7$o "re en&i4$tened.L )e "ddressed t$e note
to "n i%"4in"r( #$i&d$ood 5riend3 "nd pro#eeded to t"&8 to $is 5"ns3 t$ose 7$o
*nderstood $i% "nd $is ide"&s , t$ose 7$o "re Ken&i4$tened.L T$e i%port"nt t$in4 $ere is
t$e 'od( o5 t$e note. T$e 'od( o5 t$e note #&e"r&( indi#"tes 7$o t$is note 7"s 7ritten to.
T$is note does not 'e&on4 to Co*rtne( @o6e. It 7"s 7ritten to K*rt?s 5"ns. (3 p4..2!
:$"t did $e %e"n '(: t$e <et$i#s in6o&6ed 7it$ independen#e "nd t$e
e%'r"#e%ent o5 (o*r #o%%*nit( $"s pro6en to 'e 6er( tr*eLD K*rt 7"s e=p&"inin4 t$"t
$e?d 'een 7"rned "'o*t 4reed3 #orr*ption "nd e=p&oit"tion in t$e %*si# ind*str(. )e 7"s
s"(in4 t$ese K7"rnin4sL $"d pro6en to 'e tr*e. T$is re"&iG"tion ro''ed $i% o5 t$e
e=#ite%ent $e on#e e=perien#ed 7$i&e p&"(in4 "nd per5or%in4 in e"r&ier (e"rs. (3 p4..2!
:$en MTI 'ro"d#"st Co*rtne( re"din4 o5 portions o5 t$is note3 t$e #"ption
disp&"(ed on t$e s#reen 5or "not$er &ine in t$e &etter re"d3 KI )AD it 4ood.L T$e "#t*"&
note re"ds KI )AIE it 4ood.L A s*'t&e '*t distin#t di55eren#e re6e"&in4 t$e %ent"& st"te o5
t$e 7riter. (3 p4..2!
:$"t "'o*t t$e &ine: KI don?t $"6e t$e p"ssion "n(%ore "nd so re%e%'er3 it?s
'etter to '*rn o*t t$"n to 5"de "7"(LD T$is is " 7e&& 8no7n #&i#$Z t$"t is o5ten *sed in
t$e entert"in%ent '*siness. It re5ers to " per5or%er 7$o P*its 7$i&e on top inste"d o5
5"din4 5ro% %e%or( "s $is or $er pop*&"rit( 'e4ins to de#&ine. Ot$ers *se t$is p$r"se to
des#ri'e " person"& de#ision to retire. (3 p4./0!
K+&e"se 8eep 4oin4 Co*rtne(3 5or Fr"n#es3 5or $er &i5e...L
:$i&e To% 7"s 7it$ Co*rtne( "t t$e +enins*&" $ote&3 se6er"& d"(s 'e5ore K*rt?s
'od( 7"s 5o*nd3 Co*rtne( s"id "&%ost e="#t&( t$e s"%e t$in4. KI5 $e doesn?t 7"nt to do
it3 (re5errin4 to t$e @o&&"p"&ooG" to*r!3 $e o*4$t to do it 5or $is '"'(3 5or Fr"n#es.L (3
p4./0!
I! Kurt had meant the letter only !or (ourtney and Frances1 do you thin* he would
have re!erred to them throughout in the third person+ (Unn"%ed st"55 7riter 5or IOX
%"4"Gine s O#to'er 224 edition!.
I don't %elieve any%ody *ills himsel! %ecause he's not as committed to live shows
as Freddie Mercury was. Kurt s suicide note gave e<cuses1 not reasons. I couldn't
pretend to decipher his motivations (>"6in Ed7"rds3 Det"i&s %"4"Gine3 F*ne 224!.
The last !our lines o! the so called suicide note are written in a completely
di!!erent style. The !ormation and spacing o! the letters and their relation to the other
letters1 their slant1 etc loo*s li*e they were written %y someone other than Kurt. (NME ,
Apri& 1 22.!
A&t$o*4$ K*rt 7"nted o*t o5 t$e %"rri"4e3 $e sti&& &o6ed Co*rtne(. )e 7"s
&e"6in43 '*t $e?d #ontin*e to p*'&i#&( s*pport $er. 9See the ,other" note re!erenced %elow
where Kurt says1 ,I/ll %e there to protect you.7: K*rt n"i6e&( t$o*4$t t$is 7o*&d 'e eno*4$
to s"tis5( $er. It 7o*&d 4i6e $er t$e 5reedo% to do 7$"t s$e 7"nted to do "nd $e 7o*&d
$"6e t$e 5reedo% 5ro% t$e '*siness side o5 #re"tin4 $is %*si# , so%et$in4 $e on#e
en;o(ed 7it$ t$e inno#en#e o5 " tr*e "rtist. (3 p4./0! Co*rtne( "&so $"d " se#ond note
in $er possession3 '*t didn9t te&& "n(one "'o*t t$is *nti& se6er"& %ont$s &"ter 7$en t$e
in5or%"tion s&ipped o*t in " Ro&&in4 Stone inter6ie7. In t$e se#ond note3 K*rt p&"in&(
st"tes $is intentions to &e"6e Co*rtne( "nd Se"tt&e. (3 p4.2! See C$"pter 1 5or %ore
in5or%"tion.
C)A+TER . , AFTERMAT)
One 7ee8 "5ter K*rt?s 'od( 7"s 5o*nd3 To% 7ent to t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e st"tion
"nd %et 7it$ S4t. C"%eron3 one o5 t$e $o%i#ide in6esti4"tors "ssi4ned to t$e Co'"in
#"se. Ite%s dis#*ssed 7it$ S4t. C"%eron in#&*ded:
' Nu1erous inconsistencies $nd contr$dictions in %ogic'''
[ T$e %issin4 #redit #"rd "nd t$e #ontin*ed "#ti6it( on t$e #"rd3 e6en "5ter K*rt?s de"t$...
[ Co*rtne( spe#i5i#"&&( to&d D(&"n to #$e#8 t$e 4reen$o*se3 '*t D(&"n didn?t e6en
%ention t$ere was " 4reen$o*se...
[ T$e P*estions s*rro*ndin4 C"&i9s note...
[ T$e do*'ts "'o*t K*rt?s $"nd7ritin4 on t$e Ks*i#ide< note3 espe#i"&&( t$e 'otto%
portion...
[ T$e e&e#tri#i"n?s st"te%ent "'o*t K*rt?s $"ir "ppe"rin4 to $"6e 'een #o%'ed... (3
p4.2.!
+' Courtne34s 1otives #or )ossi(%e invo%ve1ent in Co($in4s de$t2'''
[ S$e?d 4et %ore %one( 5ro% " s*i#ide t$"n 5ro% " di6or#e. :it$ " s*i#ide3 Co*rtne(
7o*&d in$erit "nd #ontro& t$e Co'"in (Nir6"n"! est"te. I5 K*rt di6or#ed $er3 s$e?d $"6e "
pre,n*pti"& "4ree%ent to de"& 7it$...
[ K*rt?s re#ord s"&es 7o*&d in#re"se3 &e"6in4 Co*rtne( 7it$ e6en %ore in#o%e. K*rt?s
de"t$ "nd t$e p*'&i#it( it 7"s 4ener"tin43 7o*&d $e&p Co*rtne(9s #"reer "s 7e&&. (3
p4.2/!
To% "s8ed S4t. C"%eron 7$( $e s"id t$e door 7"s &o#8ed 5ro% t$e inside3
pointin4 o*t t$"t t$e &o#8 7"s " si%p&e p*s$,in "nd t7ist t(pe. KAn(one #o*&d $"6e p*&&ed
t$"t door s$*t "5ter &o#8in4 itJL To% "dded. KT$ere 7"s " stoo& 7ed4ed *p "4"inst t$e
door3L S4t. C"%eron rep&ied3 7it$ " to*#$ o5 resent%ent in $is 6oi#e. To% "ss*%ed t$e
po&i#e $"d e6iden#e t$"t K*rt 7"s "&one 7$en t$e s$ot4*n 7"s dis#$"r4ed3 '*t t$ere
7ere sti&& so%e re"& pro'&e%s 7it$ t$is #"se. To% "s8ed S4t. C"%eron to &oo8 "t t$e
p$oto4r"p$s to see 7$( t$e e&e#tri#"& s*per6isor t$o*4$t K*rt?s $"ir $"d 'een #o%'ed.
K:e $"6en?t de6e&oped t$e p$oto4r"p$s "nd pro'"'&( ne6er 7i&&3L $e responded. K:e
don?t de6e&op p$oto4r"p$s on s*i#ides..Not$in4 (o*?6e s"id #on6in#es %e t$is is
"n(t$in4 '*t " s*i#ide3L S4t. C"%eron in5or%ed To% "s t$e( #on#&*ded t$e %eetin4. (3
p4.2/!
B( st*d(in4 "ddition"& %edi" %"teri"& re&"tin4 to Co'"in?s de"t$3 To% 5o*nd t$e
TI3 %"4"Gine "nd ne7sp"per #o6er"4e to 'e 5*&& o5 p&"nted stories "nd %isin5or%"tion.
One stor( $"d Co*rtne( 4rie6in4 "t $o%e. To% re"d t$"t stor( ;*st " #o*p&e o5 d"(s "5ter
Co*rtne( $"d #"&&ed 5ro% C"n(on R"n#$ in AriGon". D*rin4 t$eir #on6ers"tion s$e s"id
s$e 7"s 7it$ Bi&&( Cor4"n3 (S%"s$in4 +*%8ins &e"d sin4er!3 "nd t$"t t$e t7o ro#8st"rs
7ere s&eepin4 to4et$er. T$is 7"s ;*st t$ree 7ee8s "5ter $er $*s'"nd 7"s 5o*nd de"dJ
(3 p4.2/!
On M"( 1t$3 To% sent Co*rtne( " &etter indi#"tin4 $is s*spi#ions:
De"r Co*rtne(3
I?% s*re (o* 8no7 '( no7 t$"t %( in6esti4"tion $"s 'een so%e7$"t %ore "#ti6e
t$"n (o* %i4$t $"6e 'een "7"re o5. T$e p*rpose o5 t$is &etter is to #&"ri5( %( position
re4"rdin4 o*r 7or8in4 re&"tions$ip.
Ro* %"( re#"&& o*r trip to C"rn"tion on T$*rsd"(3 Apri& DGth. I %entioned d*rin4
t$e dri6e t$"t I 7"s 'e4innin4 to t*rn o6er so%e Kro#8sL t$"t I 7"sn?t s*re (o*?d 7"nt
t*rned o6er. I "s8ed (o* i5 (o* 7"nted %e to #ontin*e di44in4. K"t3 7$o 7"s in t$e '"#8
se"t3 s"id3 KO$ (e"$3 s$e 7"nts to 8no7 e6er(t$in4.L
Ro* responded3 KRe"$ To%3 do 7$"te6er it t"8es. I 7"nt to 8no7 e6er(t$in4 t$"t
$"ppened.L Ro*r instr*#tions 7ere #&e"r3 so in t$e d"(s "nd 7ee8s t$"t 5o&&o7ed3 I
pro#eeded to Kdo 7$"te6er it t"8es.L
As t$e in6esti4"tion #ontin*ed %( "tte%pts to 4et "t t$e tr*t$ o5ten see%ed to 'e
de&i'er"te&( $indered. :$i&e re"din4 so%e o5 t$e "rti#&es 'ein4 7ritten in ne7sp"pers
"nd %"4"Gines I dis#o6ered t$e in5or%"tion 'ein4 re&e"sed to t$e press 7"s in"##*r"te
"nd o5ten #&e6er&( %is&e"din4.
I #onsider t$e #ir#*%st"n#es s*rro*ndin4 (o*r $*s'"nd?s de"t$ to 'e $i4$&(
s*spi#io*s. M( in6esti4"tion $"s e=posed " n*%'er o5 in#onsisten#ies in t$e 5"#ts o5 t$is
#"se "s 7e&& "s %"n( #ontr"di#tions in so*nd &o4i# "nd #o%%on sense. I?% reP*ired to
report 5indin4s s*#$ "s t$ese to t$e po&i#e3 so on Frid"(3 Apri& .t$3 I spo8e 7it$ S4t.
C"%eron "'o*t so%e o5 7$"t I?6e &e"rned so 5"r.
As I?6e e=perien#ed in p"st #"ses3 po&i#e dete#ti6es don?t o5ten 7e&#o%e t$e
7or8 o5 o*tside in6esti4"tors. I?6e &e"rned it?s so%e7$"t ide"&isti# "nd n"i6e to t$in8 t$e
tr*t$ %i4$t 'e %ore i%port"nt t$"n pro5ession"& pride.
I?6e de#ided to #ontin*e 7or8in4 on t$is #"se *nti& I see it to its #on#&*sion3
7it$o*t "ddition"& #$"r4e. Att"#$ed (o* 7i&& 5ind "n in6oi#e 7$i#$ "##o*nts 5or t$e
#$"r4es 'i&&ed 5or o*r ser6i#es3 in#&*din4 ti%e "nd e=penses. As (o* #"n see3 prior to %(
ret*rn to Se"tt&e on Apri& -t$3 t$ese #$"r4es e=#eeded t$e ret"iner "%o*nt. )o7e6er3
p&e"se #onsider (o*r 'i&& p"id in 5*&&. T$ere 7i&& 'e no 5*rt$er #$"r4es.
As I p*rs*e t$e tr*t$ re4"rdin4 t$e e6ents s*rro*ndin4 (o*r $*s'"nd?s de"t$3
(o*r #ooper"tion "nd "ssist"n#e 7i&& 'e "ppre#i"ted3 '*t not reP*ired.
Sin#ere&(3
To% >r"nt
T)E >RANT COM+ANR (3 p4.21!
To% "nti#ip"ted "n "n4r( rep&(3 '*t inste"d3 Co*rtne( responded '( ret"inin4
$i% to do %ore 7or8 5or $er. T$is 7or8 7"s *nre&"ted to t$e in6esti4"tion into K*rt?s
de"t$. T$e 7or8 7"s ti%e #ons*%in4 "nd 7$en $e 5inis$ed it 'e#"%e o'6io*s s$e
7"sn9t 6er( interested 7it$ t$e res*&ts. D*rin4 #on6ers"tions 7it$ Co*rtne( o6er t$e ne=t
se6er"& %ont$s3 s$e en#o*r"4ed To% to #ontin*e in6esti4"tin4 K*rt?s de"t$3 '*t s$e
o5ten s"'ot"4ed "n( e55orts to o't"in in5or%"tion. :$ene6er To% st"rted t"&8in4 to
peop&e #&ose to Co*rtne( "'o*t K*rt?s de"t$3 s$e?d $ire $i% 5or "not$er3 *nre&"ted ;o'. It
see%ed t$"t s$e re"&&( $"d 6er( 5e7 options "t t$is point. >ettin4 "n4r( 7o*&d ;*st #re"te
%ore s*spi#ion3 '*t #*ttin4 o55 #ont"#t 7o*&d 8eep $er in t$e d"r8 "'o*t To%9s "#ti6ities.
S$e %"( $"6e "&so "ss*%ed t$"t To% 7o*&d "##ept t$e "ddition"& 7or8 "s " p"(o55. (3
p4.22!
To% 5in"&&( %et 7it$ C"&i "t t$e Be6er&( )i&&s +.I. o55i#e. (3 p4.0! C"&i s"id $e
7"s $"rd&( "t t$e $o*se 5ro% Mond"( on3 "&t$o*4$ $e did s"( $e 7ent to t$e $o*se "
5e7 ti%es S*nd"( e6enin4 Apri& -rd "nd T$*rsd"( "5ternoon3 Apri& 0t$. I5 t$is is tr*e3 it
p&"#es C"&i "t t$e s"%e ti%e "nd &o#"tion t$"t To% ("nd ot$ers! 'e&ie6e K*rt 7"s
%*rdered. To% "&so 7ondered 7$( C"&i $"dn9t #$e#8ed t$e 4reen$o*se on Apri& 0t$.
C"&i s"id $e #$e#8ed it on S*nd"( '*t ne6er "5ter t$"t. KIt?s ;*st " dirt(3 4ross &itt&e roo%3L
C"&i s"id. T$e tr*t$ is3 t$e 4reen$o*se 7"s " &"r4e3 #&e"n3 2 5eet '( 2- 5eet roo% t$"t
C"&i $"d "#t*"&&( &i6ed in "t one point. (3 p4.22H-!
A##ordin4 to $is note3 C"&i <#o*&dn9t 'e&ie6e< K*rt 7"s "t t$e $o*se 7it$o*t $i%
noti#in4. :$( 7o*&d C"&i 5ind t$is $"rd to 'e&ie6e i5 $e 7"sn9t e6en t$ere %ost o5 t$e
ti%eD C"&i s"(s K*rt 7"s in t$e $o*se e"r&( S"t*rd"( %ornin43 Apri& 2nd. )e "&so #&"i%s
to $"6e spo8en on t$e p$one 7it$ Co*rtne( t$"t d"(3 te&&in4 $er "'o*t K*rt9s "rri6"&. )e
&"ter in5or%ed To% t$"t $e didn9t see K*rt "5ter &e"6in4 t$e $o*se on S"t*rd"( %ornin4.
C"&i s"id $e stopped $"n4in4 "ro*nd t$e $o*se 'e#"*se Co*rtne( 8ept #"&&in4 to s"(
s$e 8ne7 K*rt 7"s t$ere. I5 Co*rtne( 8ne7 $e 7"s t$ere3 7$( didn9t s$e $"6e t$e $o*se
#&ose&( 7"t#$ed d*rin4 To%9s s*r6ei&&"n#e on ot$er Se"tt&e &o#"tionsD C"&i 7"s "&so in
Ro%e 7it$ Co*rtne( d*rin4 t$e "&&e4ed <"##ident"& o6erdose3< 7$i#$ 7"s &"'e&ed "
<s*i#ide "tte%pt< "5ter K*rt9s de"t$. (3 p4.1! Se6er"& 7ee8s &"ter3 Co*rtne( to&d To%
s$e 4"6e C"&i U-03000 to 4o to " re$"' so%e7$ere '"#8 e"st. S$e 7"s "n4r( 'e#"*se
$e too8 $is 4ir&5riend 7it$ $i%. :"s t$is3 in re"&it(3 " p"(o55D (3 p4.22!
C)A+TER / , T)E +O@ICE RE+ORTS
M"n( 7ee8s "5ter Co'"in?s de"t$3 To% 5in"&&( re#ei6ed #opies o5 t$e po&i#e
reports. T$e do#*%ents re6e"& K*rt9s s$ot4*n (Re%in4ton M,3 20 >"*4e3 Se%i,
A*to%"ti#! $"d 'een 5*&&( &o"ded 7it$ t$ree s$e&&s 7$en $e died. I5 $e 'o*4$t t$is
s$ot4*n ;*st to 8i&& $i%se&53 7$"t 7"s $e 4oin4 to do 7it$ t$e ot$er t7o ro*ndsD K*rt $"d
t$"t s$ot4*n &o"ded 5or protection1 not 5or s*i#ide. (3 p4.13-1! T$e reports 4o on to st"te
t$e s$ot4*n 7"s in6erted. T$ere is " pi#t*re t$"t K*rt $"d pre6io*s&( t"8en 7it$ $is
'"nd%"tes 7$ere $e 7"s 4oo5in4 o55 7it$ " to( ri5&e. T$e p$oto s$o7s $o7 K*rt 7o*&d
$o&d " ri5&e i5 $e 7ere to p*t it in $is %o*t$. T$e to( ri5&e in t$e p$oto 7"s "&so in6erted
7it$ K*rt?s ri4$t $"nd "t t$e tri44erJ Co*rtne( $"d " #op( o5 t$is p$oto4r"p$ prior to
K*rt?s de"t$. S$e p"ssed t$e #ropped 6ersion on to 4*&&i'&e reporters $opin4 it 7o*&d
4r"p$i#"&&( i&&*str"te $er $*s'"nd?s so,#"&&ed Ks*i#id"& %ind,set.L T$e p$oto "ppe"red in
se6er"& %"4"Gines soon "5ter Co'"in?s de"t$. (3 p4.-2 , See C$"pter . 5or " 5*&&
"n"&(sis o5 t$is p$oto session!
T$e po&i#e reports indi#"te t$ere 7ere Kp*n#t*re %"r8sL on t$e inside o5 'ot$
Co'"in?s &e5t "nd ri4$t e&'o7s. T$is indi#"tes dr*4s 7ere "d%inistered '( "t &e"st t7o
sep"r"te in;e#tions. (3 p4.02! K*rt9s $eroin '&ood &e6e& 7"s ..2 %4H&iter. T$is reP*ires
" %ini%*% in;e#tion o5 22.%4 o5 $eroin 7$i#$ is t$ree ti%es t$e &et$"& dose3 e6en 5or "
$"rd#ore "ddi#t. (3 p4.2! K*rt 7o*&d $"6e 'een i%%edi"te&( in#"p"#it"ted3 &e"6in4 $i%
*n"'&e to pi#8 *p t$e s$ot4*n or p*&& t$e tri44er. )e didn9t e6en need to *se t$e s$ot4*n:
t$e o6erdose 7o*&d $"6e 8i&&ed $i% "&%ost inst"nt&(. Di"Gep"% 7"s "&so 5o*nd in $is
s(ste%. (3 p4.2!
T$e reports "&so #on5ir% t$"t K*rt did not &e"6e $is dri6er?s &i#ense o*t so $is
'od( #o*&d 'e identi5ied3 "s reported '( t$e %isin5or%ed %edi". )is I.D. $"d 'een
re%o6ed "nd p&"#ed in 5ront o5 $is 7"&&et 5or " p$oto4r"p$ '( t$e 5irst o55i#er on t$e
s#ene. T$e o55i#er too8 2- +o&"roids "t t$e s#ene , so t$e po&i#e did $"6e p$otos t$e(
#o*&d $"6e s$o7n to To%J In st*d(in4 t$ese reports3 To% 5o*nd %"n( ot$er inst"n#es
7$ere %is&e"din4 in5or%"tion 7"s 4i6en to t$e po&i#e3 to $i%se&53 "nd to t$e press. (3
p4.2322,-0!
PR 5ISSIN6 PERSON REPORT
D$ted *7*79* #9*- *9!!9
"Mr. Cobain ran away from California facility and flew back to Seattle. He also bought a
shotgun and may be suicidal. Mr. Cobain may be at =====, location for narcotics. Det. Terry
SPD/Narcotics has further info.
T$ere 7"s no %ention in t$is report t$"t K*rt $"d &"st 'een seen "t t$e @"8e
:"s$in4ton residen#e. T$e n"rr"ti6e so*nds &i8e Co'"in &e5t t$e re$"'3 then p*r#$"sed
" s$ot4*n "nd %i4$t 8i&& $i%se&5. K*rt "#t*"&&( p*r#$"sed t$e s$ot4*n 5or $is o7n
prote#tion %e!ore $e &e5t 5or t$e re$"' in @.A. T$is report set t$e po&i#e *p 5or 7$"t t$e(
7o*&d &"ter o'ser6e. A 'od(3 " s$ot4*n3 "nd " note. (3 p4.-03 -4! T$is %"( indi#"te
Co*rtne( "&re"d( 8ne7 $e 7"s de"d3 "nd '( 7$"t %et$od. It is "&so s*spi#io*s t$"t
Co*rtne( 5i&ed t$e report pretendin4 to 'e K*rt9s %ot$er.
PR. STATE5ENT O8 O88ICER LE&ANDO9S:I #"3+!
Re)ort #9*- "!",,
(T$is "ppe"rs to 'e " s*%%"r( o5 t$e ori4in"& report 7ritten '( @e6"ndo7s8i!
!n "/#$/%" at about $"# hrs& ''''' arri(ed at )*) +k. ,-. .l(d. /. to 0erform some electrical
work. ''''' walked onto the west facing deck of the garage& and obser(ed the (ictim through
the window 0anes in the 1rench door. The (ictim was laying on the floor& with a shotgun across
his body& and a (isible head wound. C/called %))& and a dual res0onse of S1D and SPD was
dis0atched. !n arri(al& +e(andowski obser(ed the (ictim laying on the floor& unmo(ing.
The 1rench doors were locked. S1D /ngine 23" res0onded& and made entry by breaking one of
the glass 0anes in the 1rench door... Photogra0hs were taken of the scene by +e(andowski&
1ewel and Sgt. 4etchman. The scene was maintained until released to Homicide Detecti(es. -ll
0ictures and film were released to Det. 5oshida... ;No/ %oo< /2$t #o%%o/s=''' +e(andowski
obser(ed that the 1rench doors at the o00osite end of the room were blocked by a stool&
0re(enting access. (3 p4.40!
T$e &"st &ine o5 t$is report is #&e"r&( o*t o5 #onte=t. T$e report "ppe"rs to $"6e
ended3 t$en " &ine "'o*t t$e stoo& is "ddedJ T$ese doors ("t t$e opposite end o5 t$e
roo%!3 7ere unloc*ed "nd &ed o*t to " '"&#on(3 5ro% 7$i#$ t$ere is no st"ir7"( or
"##ess. F*rt$er%ore3 t$e 7ooden stoo& t$"t S4t. C"%eron "nd t$e report #&"i% 7"s
<7ed4ed< "4"inst t$e entr"n#e doors 7"s too s%"&& "nd &i4$t to '&o#8 any potenti"&
intr*der3 in#&*din4 " tin( #$i&dJ T$e dete#ti6es "&re"d( to&d t$e %edi" "nd To% t$"t t$ere
7"s " stoo& 7ed4ed "4"inst t$e door3 '*t it 7"s "#t*"&&( ;*st sittin4 in 5ront o5 t$e
*n&o#8ed '"&#on( doors on t$e ot$er side o5 t$e roo%. T$e "#t*"& entr"n#e door to t$e
4reen$o*se $"d " p*s$ "nd t7ist &o#8: "n(one #o*&d $"6e &o#8ed it "nd p*&&ed it s$*t "s
t$e( &e5t.
K*rt 7"s NOT '"rri#"ded in t$e roo% "s t$e po&i#e $"d indi#"ted. So%eone in
t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent %*st $"6e noti#ed t$e 5irst po&i#e reports did not re5&e#t
t$e Ko55i#i"& %(t$.L It "ppe"rs t$is &ine 7"s "dded to t$e report to de&i'er"te&( de#ei6e t$e
p*'&i#. An(one 7$o 7"sn?t t$ere 7o*&d ne6er 8no7 t$e di55eren#e. So 7$o 7rote t$e
&ineD To% s*spe#ts it 7"s eit$er "dded 7it$o*t @e6"ndo7s8i?s 8no7&ed4e3 or so%eone
Qs*44estedL @e6"ndo7s8i "dd t$e &ine "5ter t$e report 7"s s*'%itted 5or "ppro6"&. To%
doesn?t P*estion @e6"ndo7s8i?s intentions or %oti6es: "&t$o*4$ %ist"8es 7ere %"de
"nd so%e o5 t$e $is #on#&*sions 7ere re"#$ed " &itt&e pre%"t*re&(3 @e6"ndo7s8i see%ed
to 'e re&"ti6e&( #ons#ientio*s "nd t$oro*4$. )o7e6er3 i5 $e did 7rite t$"t de&i'er"te&(
%is&e"din4 &ine3 it 7o*&d #"&& $is %oti6es into P*estion. (3 p4.-0340!
PR9 5A>OR IN&ESTI6ATION SU55AR?
@o1icide Unit , Re)ort # 9*- "!",,
Scene Detectives: >i1 ?os2id$ A Steve :ir<%$nd , P$r$gr$)2 +:
6There were marks on Cobain7s hands consistent with the firing of this wea0on.
To% $"s st"ted 7it$ #o%p&ete #on5iden#e t$"t t$ere 7ere no %"r8s on K*rt?s
$"nds t$"t 7o*&d indi#"te he 5ired t$is 7e"pon. To% $"d t$e po&i#e reports "n"&(Ged '(
ot$er $o%i#ide dete#ti6es "nd #ri%in"&ists. No one #"n 5i4*re o*t 7$"t t$ese K%"r8sL
#o*&d $"6e 'een. T$e s$ot4*n %ode& is so%e7$"t r"re '*t To% &o#"ted "n identi#"&
7e"pon in Nort$ern C"&i5orni" "nd person"&&( 5ired t$e s$ot4*n 1 ti%es 7it$o*t #&e"nin4
$is $"nds. T$ere 7ere no 6isi'&e %"r8s or s#r"t#$es on eit$er o5 To%9s $"nds t$"t
res*&ted 5ro% t$e 5irin4 o5 t$is 7e"pon. Addition"& e6iden#e t$"t $e $"s o't"ined
re4"rdin4 t$ese so,#"&&ed K%"r8sL #"nnot 'e dis#&osed *nti& t$e #"se is reopened. In
Fe'r*r"r( 2203 $o7e6er3 S4t. C"%eron 5in"&&( "d%itted to +.O.I. M"4"Gine t$"t $e 7"s
*n"7"re o5 "n( K%"r8sL on K*rt?s $"nds t$"t 7o*&d indi#"te $e 5ired t$e 7e"pon.
C"%eron s"id $e didn?t 8no7 7$o p*t t$"t st"te%ent in t$e report "nd t$"t3 KIt %*st $"6e
'een "dded '( so%e roo8ie.L (3 p4.4!
PRO T2e 8inger)rint An$%3sis Re)ort
6The abo(e item was 0rocessed for 0rints on #8/#9/%" by Sr. :D Technician T. 4eranimo& 2""99.
1our cards of latent 0rints were lifted. The four cards of lifted latent 0rints contain no legible
0rints.
T$e s$ot4*n 7"sn?t #$e#8ed 5or prints *nti& ne"r&( " %ont$ "5ter K*rt?s 'od( 7"s
5o*nd. To%9s 5ir% &e"rned t$"t t$e s$e&& #"sin4s "nd t$e pen 5o*nd "t t$e s#ene 7eren?t
e6en #$e#8ed 5or prints *nti& ne"r&( t$ree (e"rs &"ter3 7$en " te&e6ision s$o7 "'o*t
K*rt?s de"t$ 7"s "'o*t to "irJ Did t$e po&i#e re"&&( in6esti4"te $is de"t$ or 7ere t$e( ;*st
4oin4 t$ro*4$ t$e %otions 5or t$e %edi"D )o7 #o*&d $e $"6e $"nd&ed t$e s$ot4*n
'e5ore $e &e5t 5or re$"' "nd "5ter $e ret*rned to Se"tt&e 7it$o*t &e"6in4 one &e4i'&e 5in4er
printD (3 p4.4!
PR 8o%%o/-u) re)ort' Incident #9*-"!",,B Unit #i%e #9*--
NARRATI&E: Detectives Steve :ir<%$nd $nd >i1 ?os2id$ *379* ,9,,:
(To the SPD Evidence Unit). 6Checked Cobain7s wallet. There is no Sea1irst card with the
abo(e listed number in the wallet. There are two Sea 1irst ;ersateller cards with different
numbers in the wallet.
T$ere 7"s "&so U20 in #"s$ on t$e 5&oor3 "nd U/- #"s$ in K*rt?s #o"t po#8et. B*t
7$"t $"ppened to K*rt?s ot$er Se"First C"rdD T$e '"n8 re#ords s$o7 t$"t so%eone
7"s sti&& tr(in4 to *se t$is K%issin4L #"rd "5ter t$e ti%e t$e Coroner s"(s K*rt died3 '*t
stopped t$ese "tte%pts 7$en t$e 'od( 7"s dis#o6ered. T$e po&i#e $"6e ne6er 'ot$ered
to #&e"r t$is *p... (et t$e #"se is no7 #&osedJ :$ene6er so%eone s"(s3 KT$ere?s no
proo5 t$is 7"s " %*rder3L ;*st re%e%'er: t$ere $"s ne6er 'een "n( 5orensi# e6iden#e
pro6in4 K*rt9s de"t$ 7"s " s*i#ide. T$e 6erdi#t 7"s " r*s$ to ;*d4e%ent 7$i#$ p*t
Se"tt&e +o&i#e in "n *n#o%5ort"'&e position "s #op(,#"t s*i#ides 'e4"n to o##*r. (3
p4.03 22,-0342!
C)A+TER 0 , MORE MRSTERIOUS DEAT)S
On F*ne 4t$3 2243 N"r#oti#s Dete#ti6e Terr( 7"s 8i&&ed. )e 7"s t$e 5irst Se"tt&e
po&i#e o55i#er to 'e %*rdered in t$e &ine o5 d*t( in nine (e"rs. B"sed on t$e ne7s reports3
it didn9t "ppe"r to To% t$"t Dete#ti6e Terr(?s %*rder 7"s #onne#ted to t$e Co'"in #"se3
"&t$o*4$ it 7"s P*ite " #oin#iden#e. (3 p4.-0!
E&e6en d"(s &"ter (F*ne .t$!3 Kristen +5"553 t$e '"ss p&"(er 5or Co*rtne(?s '"nd
)o&e3 died o5 "n "&&e4ed dr*4 o6erdose. )er 'od( 7"s 5o*nd in t$e '"t$t*' o5 $er Se"tt&e
"p"rt%ent. Kristen?s de"t$ o##*rred t$e e6enin4 'e5ore s$e 7"s to &e"6e Se"tt&e to 4o
'"#8 to Minne"po&is to 'e 7it$ so%e 5riends 'e5ore t$e )o&e to*r res*%ed. S$e $"d ;*st
5inis$ed to*rin4 7it$ $er o&d '"nd3 F"nitor Foe. Kristen $"d *sed $eroin in t$e p"st3 '*t
7ent t$ro*4$ re$"'3 "nd 7"s &oo8in4 5or7"rd to t$e 5*t*re. T$e tr*#8 7"s p"#8ed3 $er
5riend +"*& Eri#8son 7"s re"d( to dri6e $er "nd $er 'e&on4in4s 5"r "7"( 5ro% Co*rtne(
e"r&( t$e ne=t d"(.
Eri# Er&"ndson p"id Kristen " 6isit t$"t e6enin4 "t "ro*nd 1+M. )e is t$e &"st
8no7n person to see Kristen "&i6e. At 2AM t$e 5o&&o7in4 %ornin4 +"*& Eri#8son &et
$i%se&5 into Kristen?s 5&"t3 $e #"&&ed $er3 t$ere 7"s no rep&(. )e re"&iGed t$e '"t$roo%
door 7"s &o#8ed3 $e #"&&ed $er "4"in3 "4"in no rep&(. )e 'ro8e t$e '"t$roo% door do7n.
Kristen 7"s de"d "nd $eroin p"r"p$ern"&i" 7"s &e5t on t$e 5&oor. T$is is si%i&"r to t$e
s#ene o5 t$e #ri%e "t K*rt?s $o*se. Eri#8son #"&&ed 2.
I5 t$e po&i#e "nd %edi#"& ser6i#es "rri6ed s$ort&( t$ere"5ter3 "t 7$"t point did t$e
5o&&o7in4 $"ppenD KI $"d to 4o o6er t$ere "nd 4et Eri# "7"( 5ro% t$e 'od(. Kristen $"d
'een $is &o6er 5or " re"&&( &on4 ti%e. )e?d "&re"d( 'ro8en do7n '"t$roo% door "5ter
'"t$roo% door 5or $er.L (Co*rtne( @o6e3 Ro&&in4 Stone3 De#e%'er .t$ 224.! At t$e
6er( &e"st3 t$is %e"ns Co*rtne( 7"s in Se"tt&e "t t$e ti%e o5 Kristen?s de"t$. To% >r"nt
is 6er( s*spi#io*s o5 t$e #ir#*%st"n#es o5 Kristen?s de"t$: ;*st "s K*rt 7"s p&"nnin4 to
&e"6e Co*rtne( "nd Se"tt&e3 Kristen "&so 7"nted to 4et "7"(. (3 p4.-0H2! Kristen9s
%ot$er3 F"net $"s ne6er "##epted t$e o55i#i"& stor( re4"rdin4 $er d"*4$ter9s de"t$. (243
p4.2-!
:$"t 8ind o5 &o#8 did t$e '"t$roo% door $"6eD :"s t$ere "n *n&o#8ed 7indo7 in
t$e '"t$roo%D It is t$e s"%e s#en"rio "s K*rt "nd t$e 4reen$o*se. T$e po&i#e s"id K*rt
$"d &o#8ed $i%se&5 in t$ere "nd t$"t no one #o*&d $"6e 4"ined "##ess. T$"n8s to To%
>r"nt3 7e 8no7 t$"t is not t$e #"se. T$ese P*estions s$o*&d 'e "s8ed on Kristen9s
'e$"&53 e6en i5 Co*rtne( "nd Eri# don?t &i8e it. T$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e $"6e " d*t( to
in6esti4"te 7$( Co*rtne( "nd Eri# 7ere 'ot$ in t$e '"t$roo%.
Eri# 7"s possi'&( t$e &"st person to see Kristen "&i6e. Co*rtne( %"( $"6e
s*pp&ied $eroin o5 " $i4$er p*rit( t$"n nor%"&3 7it$ Eri# 'e&ie6in4 it 7"s ;*st nor%"&
s%"#8. Sin#e Kristen ("nd K*rt! 7ere #&e"n3 t$eir s(ste%s #o*&d not to&er"te t$is p*rit(
"nd t$e( &"psed into *n#ons#io*sness. Be#"*se o5 t$e #onne#tion 'et7een Co*rtne(3
Eri# "nd C"&i3 "s 7e&& "s t$eir pro=i%it( to Kristen "nd K*rt3 t$e possi'i&it( t$"t Co*rtne(
7"s in6o&6ed %*st 'e serio*s&( in6esti4"ted. Eri# #o*&d $"6e 6isited Kristen 7it$ $is
K4i5tL3 "nd t"&8ed $er into it. :$en s$e died3 Eri# 5re"8ed o*t "nd #"&&ed Co*rtne(. S$e
7ent o6er to #"&% Eri#3 "nd t$e( &e5t t$e pre%ises. Eit$er 7"(3 Co*rtne( @o6e $"s &e5t "
tr"i& o5 de"d 'odies 'e$ind $er. (2!
K*rt $"d on#e #on5ided to $is 5riend D(&"n t$"t $e t$o*4$t Kristen 7"s <" 5*#8in4
t"&ented %*si#i"n3 s$e?s "&so " 'e"*ti5*& so*&. I t$in8 s$e?s so 'e"*ti5*&3 '*t i5 I e6er to&d
$er t$"t3 "nd Co*rtne( 5o*nd o*t3 it 7o*&d 'e $e&&.< (-3 p4.42! K*rt t$o*4$t in ter%s o5
'e"*ti5*& so*&s '*t $"d to #ensor e6er( 7ord "nd "#tion 5or 5e"r o5 Co*rtne(?s "n4er "nd
;e"&o*s(. (2! :$en $e died3 Kristen 7"s 4en*ine&( *pset "nd s$e see%ed to 'e s#"red
"'o*t &e"6in4. S$e to&d $er 5riend3 <Co*rtne(?s s#"r(. I5 I t"8e " $i8e3 s$e?&& %"8e %e &oo8
'"d or do so%et$in4 to %"8e %( &i5e %iser"'&e... As &on4 "s s$e $"s t$ree p*ppets 7$o
"4ree t$"t s$e is t$e st"r3 t$ere "re no pro'&e%s.<
Eri# Er&"ndson3 Kristen9s '"nd%"te "nd 'o(5riend3 4"6e $er so%e "d6i#e on
de"&in4 7it$ Co*rtne(: <Don?t 5*#8 7it$ $er3 ;*st 'ite (o*r ton4*e 7$en Co*rtne( does
so%et$in4 st*pid or ins*&ts (o*. T$"t?s 7$"t I do. Co*rtne( $"s t$e po7er to %"8e *s "
&ot o5 #"s$.< Kristen responded '( te&&in4 Eri#3 <I #"re " &ot "'o*t (o* '*t (o*?re s*#$ "
&o7 &i5e. Ro*r 7$o&e &i5e is " 5"8e3 e6er(t$in4. T$e peop&e (o* $"n4 7it$3 t$e dr*4
de"&ers3 Co*rtne(...e6en (o*r 4*it"r p&"(in4. Ro*?re so 4ood "t 5oo&in4 t$e #ro7d.< (-3
p4.4/,41!
Co*rtne( 7o*&d "&so %"8e 6ei&ed t$re"ts "t Kristen: <Ro* 5*#8 %( 4*it"r p&"(er3
#onst"nt&( %"8e e(es "t %( $*s'"nd "nd no7 (o*?re te&&in4 %e $o7 to sin4. F*st don?t
5*#8 7it$ %e 'e#"*se (o*?&& re4ret it 5ore6er.< In " #on6ers"tion 7it$ $er %ot$er3 Kristen
s"id3 <At 5irst s$e?s re"&&( ni#e to (o* to (o*r 5"#e3 '*t i5 (o* do so%et$in4 t$"t s$e
doesn?t "4ree 7it$3 s$e?&& do so%et$in4 'e$ind (o*r '"#8 to %"8e (o* &oo8 re"&&( '"d.<
(-3 p4.4/,41! )ere "re " #o*p&e o5 ne7s reports on Kristen?s de"t$3 5ro% T$e Se"tt&e
Ti%es3 7$i#$ s$o7 ;*st $o7 &i4$t&( t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent tre"ted $er de"t$:
T2e Se$tt%e Ti1es .t2 >une 99*:
Seattle police say they will not step up en!orcement e!!orts against heroin1 despite
another death apparently lin*ed to the drug in the city/s roc* music scene. Kristen "!a!!1
the AN2 year old %ass player !or the %and 5ole1 was !ound dead Thursday morning in a
%athtu% in a (apitol 5ill apartment. A syringe and apparent drug paraphernalia were
!ound in a cosmetic %ag ne<t to the tu%. An autopsy yesterday !ailed to esta%lish a cause
o! death1 and la% and to<icology tests were ordered.
"!a!!/s death !ollowed that o! Kurt (o%ain1 lead singer o! irvana1 who committed suicide
in early April. A heroin shooting *it was !ound ne<t to his %ody in the &a*e $ashington
home where he lived with his wi!e1 (ourtney &ove. &ove is 5ole/s lead singer..... ,I don/t
thin* heroin is any more accessi%le in Seattle than any other city71 said (apt. Dan 6ryant
o! the Seattle "olices Department/s narcotics section. ,5eroin is not a Seattle pro%lem0
it/s a national pro%lem.7
6ryant said "!a!!/s case is not %eing investigated %y the narcotics division %ecause it
doesn/t review drug overdoses1 which is how Seattle police have categori3ed the case.
Most investigations !ocus on *nown drug dealers1 he said1 although police will not try to
determine who sold "!a!! the heroin1 i! in !act she %ought it in Seattle. "!a!! had %een
travelling in Europe !or !ive wee*s and returned to Seattle last wee*end. ,)nless we had
someone who *new her and was willing to testi!y and wor* with us1 we really have
nowhere to go.7 5e said1 noting the di!!iculty in developing drug cases. ,$e won/t treat
this case di!!erently than any other case -ust %ecause it/s someone with notoriety17
6ryant added.
,$e did attempt to locate the source o! drugs in the (o%ain case %ut were una%le to
come up with any meaning!ul evidence. That may well %e true in this case too.7 (o%ain
is %elieved to have purchased heroin !rom dealers in (apitol 5ill apartment %uildings not
!ar !rom the apartment where "!a!! died.
! At 7$"t point did t$e( de#ide it 7"s " se&5,in5&i#ted dr*4 o6erdose3 "nd r*&e o*t 5o*&
p&"(D T$e N"r#oti#s dep"rt%ent 7eren?t in6esti4"tin4 Kristen9s de"t$3 "nd no7$ere in
t$is p"per does it s"( t$"t t$e )o%i#ide Dep"rt%ent 7"s in6o&6ed.
2! Kristen?s 5riends 7ere s$o#8ed "t $er de"t$3 t$e( s"id s$e 7"s o55 dr*4s (&i8e K*rt?s
5riends s"id $e 7"sn?t s*i#id"& "nd 7"s o55 dr*4s3 "nd 7ere s$o#8ed 7$en $e died.!
-! T$e Se"tt&e po&i#e tried to "s#ert"in t$e so*r#e o5 $eroin K*rt s*pposed&( p*r#$"sed3
'*t #o*&d 5ind no %e"nin45*& e6iden#e. Co*&d t$is 'e 'e#"*se t$e( 7ere &oo8in4 to
7$ere Co*rtne( dire#ted t$e%: C"it&in Moore3 5or e="%p&eD :e 8no7 C"it&in didn?t see
or pro6ide K*rt 7it$ dr*4s3 "nd it &oo8s &i8e t$e po&i#e inter6ie7ed $er (see t$e Un8no7n
So*r#es #$"pter!.

T2e Se$tt%e Ti1es 8rid$3 >une -t2 99*:
,$e are greatly saddened to learn o! Kristen "!a!!/s death and e<tend our sympathy to
her !amily1 !riends and other mem%ers o! 5ole17 #osen%latt 9"resident o! 'e!!en and
D'( #ecords: said in a statement. ,This is all the more tragic %ecause she had gone
through a drug reha%ilitation program this winter and was in the process o! moving %ac*
to Minneapolis to %e with old !riends until the 5ole tour resumed.7
"!a!!/s !ather1 orman "!a!! o! Denver1 said according to her !riends Kristen had not
recently %een involved with drugs. ,It/s my understanding at the present time my
daughter was not using drugs17 he said. That sentiment was echoed %y the %ands
drummer1 "atty Schemel1 who said she didn/t thin* "!a!! had used drugs since %eing in
treatment last winter. ,It was an accident.7 She said. ,She loved li!e and this shouldn/t
have happened. She was an ama3ing musician and a very %eauti!ul person.
"!a!!/s !ather said he was told his daughter too* a %ath a%out =pm $ednesday night and
when her !riend1 "aul Eric*son1 a mem%er o! the group 5ammerhead1 chec*ed on her1
he thought he heard her snoring. ,It was common !or her to !all asleep in the %athtu%17
"!a!! said.
Eric*son didn/t thin* anything a%out it and went to %ed. A%out =JB@am yesterday1
Eric*son !orced open the %athroom door1 and the singer was dead1 her !ather said.
5e said Eric Erlandson1 another mem%er o! 5ole1 also had %een at the apartment
$ednesday night. 6oth said there was nothing in Kristen "!a!!/s mood to indicate any
pro%lem. ...In the days a!ter (o%ain/s death1 &ove pu%licly denounced the drug trade
there1 saying Seattle police were not doing enough to stem the availa%ility o! heroin. She
cited drug sales in speci!ic apartment %uildings1 not !ar !rom the apartment where "!a!!
died. Seattle police pursued some o! those leads1 %ut no arrests were made in (o%ain/s
death. A heroin shooting *it was !ound ne<t to his %ody.
...5ole had signed with a ma-or record la%el1 %ut "!a!! did not ,li*e all the trappings17 said
her !ather. ,She thought it was a little out o! control.7 $hile the recent 5ole tour was put
on hold1 "!a!! toured again with Kanitor Koe and had returned to Seattle -ust two days
ago1 her !ather said. 5e descri%ed his daughter as ,%right1 persona%le1 wonder!ul...very1
very talented1 smart1 and she always seemed to %e in control o! her circumstances. &ast
night she wasn/t17 he said.
:$en Kristen died3 t$e %edi#"& e="%iner 7"s Ni8o&"s )"rts$orne3 t$e s"%e one
7$o e="%ined K*rt. )"rts$orne 7"s " 5riend o5 Co*rtne(?s 5ro% (e"rs '"#8. T$e Se"tt&e
+ost Inte&&i4en#er reported t$"t Dr. )"rts$orne 7"sn?t 4oin4 to #o%%ent on t$e #"*se o5
Kristen?s de"t$ 5or t7o 7ee8s "s $e 7"nted to #ond*#t to=i#o&o4( tests. )e 5"i&ed to
"pp&( t$"t s"%e #"*tion 7$en K*rt died.
C)A+TER 1 , T)E :EB OF @IES
On F*ne 0t$3 ;*st " d"( "5ter Kristen 7"s 5o*nd de"d3 t$e po&i#e ret*rned so%e
o5 t$e &"st pie#es o5 p$(si#"& e6iden#e re&"tin4 to Co'"in?s de"t$3 to (ourtney. T$e
ori4in"& #op( o5 K*rt9s so,#"&&ed Ks*i#ideL note 7"s 4i6en '"#83 "&on4 7it$ t$e note 5ro%
Ro%e (s$e $"d 4i6en t$e% t$e Ro%e 5or $"nd7ritin4 #o%p"rison!.
As To%9s in6esti4"tion #ontin*ed 5ro% Be6er&( )i&&s3 $e tried to 4et C"&i '"#8 in
5or "ddition"& P*estionin4. C"&i 7"s &i6in4 in @os An4e&es "t t$e ti%e3 so it 7o*&d $"6e
'een #on6enient 5or $i% to #o%e to t$e o55i#e. :$ene6er To% st"rted to 5o#*s on C"&i3
Co*rtne( 7o*&d 4i6e $i% "not$er ti%e #ons*%in4 ;o'3 *nre&"ted to t$e #"se. Co*rtne(
e6ent*"&&( tried to 4et To% to si4n " #on5identi"&it( "4ree%ent. )e to&d $er to send o6er
" #op( "nd $e 7o*&d &oo8 "t it3 '*t "dded3 KI?% not 4oin4 to si4n "n(t$in4 t$"t #o*&d
inter5ere 7it$ %( in6esti4"tion.L Co*rtne( "&so s"id s$e 7"nted to 4et C"&i "nd "not$er
5riend '( t$e n"%e o5 Renee N"6erette3 to si4n " #on5identi"&it( "4ree%ent. S$e s"id3
KE6er(one 7$o 7or8s 5or %e $"s to si4n it.L :$( no7D To% 7ondered.. s$e?s 8no7n
C"&i 5or %"n( (e"rs. (3 p4.-!
T$e De#e%'er .3 224 iss*e o5 Ro&&in4 Stone 5e"t*red "n inter6ie7 7it$
Co*rtne( @o6e '( D"6id Fri#8e. T$e ;o*rn"&ist des#ri'es Co*rtne(?s %ind,set "nd
re6e"&s 7$"t To% #onsiders to 'e " ps(#$op"t$i# person"&it(. T$ro*4$o*t t$e inter6ie73
Co*rtne( see%ed preo##*pied 7it$ #on6in#in4 e6er(one $o7 s*i#id"& K*rt 7"s. S$e
te&&s " stor( (7$i#$ is repe"ted in t$e Cross9 'oo8 )e"6ier T$"n )e"6en! "'o*t K*rt
'rin4in4 " 4*n to t$e $ospit"& roo% 7$en Fr"n#es 7"s 'orn: $o7 s$e $eroi#"&&( 4r"''ed
t$e 4*n 5ro% $i% "nd s"id3 KI?&& 4o 5irst3 I #"n?t $"6e (o* do it 5irst. I?&& 4o 5irst.L T$is 7$o&e
stor( is di55i#*&t to 'e&ie6e. Co*rtne( 7"s so "'sor'ed in pro%otin4 t$e i%"4e o5 K*rt?s
s*i#id"& tenden#ies ri4$t "5ter $is 'e"*ti5*& d"*4$ter 7"s 'orn3 t$"t s$e disp&"(ed no
#on#ern 7$"tsoe6er 5or t$e 5"#t t$"t Fr"n#es 7o*&d 4ro7 *p $e"rin4 t$is $orror stor(
on#e it 4ot p*'&is$ed. (3 p4.-!
Co*rtne( "&so responded to " pro'in4 P*estion "'o*t t$e so,#"&&ed Ks*i#ideL
note. S$e #&"i%ed t$"t K*rt 7rote $er "not$er note3 in "ddition to t$e note 5o*nd '( t$e
po&i#e "t t$e s#ene (3 p4.-23/!:
D' 8' , ,Did Kurt/s suicide note ma*e any sense to you 2 that he/d !ound any *ind o!
peace in what he was going to do+7
C' L' , ,5e wrote me a letter other than his suicide note. It/s *ind o! long..I put it in a
sa!e2deposit %o<. I might show it to Frances 2 may%e. It/s very !uc*ed2up writing. 4;ou
*now I love you1 I love Frances1 I/m so sorry. "lease don/t !ollow me./ It/s long %ecause
he repeats himsel!. 4I/m sorry. I/m sorry. I/m sorry. I/ll %e there I/ll protect you. I don/t
*now where I/m going1 I -ust can/t %e here anymore/7.
Co*rtne( "d%its t$is <ot$er< note is not s*i#id"&. S$e e6en P*otes K*rt "s s"(in4:
,;ou *now I love you1 I love Frances1 I/m so sorry..."lease don/t !ollow me...I/ll %e there1
I/ll protect you. I don/t *now where I/m going1 I -ust can/t %e here anymore.7 Co*rtne(
&"ter #&"i%ed s$e to&d S4t. C"%eron "'o*t t$e <ot$er< note3 '*t t$e po&i#e ne6er
%entioned t$is note to t$e press or in "n( o5 t$eir reports. To% 7ondered 7$( Co*rtne(
ne6er s"id "n(t$in4 "'o*t t$e note d*rin4 t$e se6en %ont$ period 5o&&o7in4 K*rt?s de"t$.
As To% #ontin*ed doin4 ot$er 7or8 5or $er3 s$e "#ted &i8e s$e 7"nted $i% to #ontin*e
in6esti4"tin4 t$is #"se3 '*t o'6io*s&( $"dn?t to&d $i% e6er(t$in4. No7 t$ere 7ere t7o
notes &e5t '( K*rt3 neit$er one 'ein4 s*i#id"& , t$e( si%p&( #on5ir%ed t$"t K*rt 7"nted o*t
o5 t$e %*si# '*siness3 7"s &e"6in4 Se"tt&e "nd 7"nted to 'e &e5t "&one. (3 p4.-2!
)o7 do 7e 8no7 K*rt 7"s not t"&8in4 "'o*t s*i#ide in this &etterD Be#"*se o5 t$e
o'6io*s ter%ino&o4( "nd 'e#"*se Co*rtne( "d%its t$is Kot$erL note 7"s ,not really li*e a
suicide note.7 On S*nd"(3 Apri& -rd3 7$en s$e #o*&dn?t 5ind $i%3 Co*rtne( to&d To% s$e
t$o*4$t K*rt 7"s &e"6in4 $er. T$e Kot$erL note si%p&( #on5ir%s 7$"t Co*rtne( "&re"d(
8ne7. A5ter re"din4 t$e Ro&&in4 Stone inter6ie73 To% 7"s #*rio*s 7$ere t$is note 7"s
5o*nd "nd P*estioned 7$( s$e $"dn?t to&d $i% or t$e press "'o*t it *nti& no7. (3 p4./!
In De#e%'er o5 2243 "5ter ne"r&( ei4$t %ont$s o5 #ontin*o*s in6esti4"tion3 To%
$"d o't"ined eno*4$ e6iden#e to 'e #on6in#ed 'e(ond "n( do*'t t$"t K*rt Co'"in did
not #o%%it s*i#ide '*t 7"s in 5"#t3 %*rdered. :$en $e 'e4"n to spe"8 o*t "'o*t $is
#on#&*sions3 $e re#ei6ed " t$re"tenin4 &etter 5ro%3 (o5 "&& p&"#es!3 Rose%"r( C"rro&&?s &"7
5ir%. On De#e%'er 223 2243 To% responded 7it$ t$e 5o&&o7in4 &etter: (3 p4./-!
Dear #osemary1
5aving received the letter !rom your !irm threatening me with a lawsuit and
possi%le criminal prosecution1 I have to wonder what must %e going on in your headO My
loyalty to you and the con!identiality o! our conversations ends a%ruptly when I am
threatened !or doing a -o% I was encouraged %y you to do.
From the %eginning1 you played a ma-or role in directing this investigation and
e<posing some !acts and details that implicated (ourtney as part o! the conspiracy that
eventually led to Kurt4s murder. I/m convinced you *now in your heart the truth a%out
what happened. It/s time !or you to come !orward and spea* to the authorities a%out
what you *now. I/m aware there4s a lot at sta*e here !or you0 your career1 your marriage1
possi%le !inancial losses and who *nows what else+ ;ou may not reali3e it yet1 %ut these
things are in -eopardy whether you come !orward or not.
;ou impressed me as the type o! person who has their priorities in order. $hat
good are we as human %eings i! we4re so a!raid that we allow people to get away with
murder+ The world o! secrecy is a dangerous place to live1 especially when your mind
holds in!ormation that could help convict a *iller. I/ve placed my li!e in danger here in
order to %ring a%out -ustice and put an end to what may turn out to %e more than -ust
one *illing. In addition1 *ids are continuing to commit suicide themselves1 thin*ing Kurt
did it so it must %e the way to goO The last o! these incidents occurred -ust a couple o!
wee*s ago.
Although I/m still in some danger1 I !eel my silence would have created an even
greater threat to my li!e. 'etting rid o! someone a!ter they/ve tal*ed is -ust plain stupid
and can only %ring more attention to the case. The real danger e<ists %e!ore the person
tal*s. I hope I/ve given you something to thin* a%out. (all me i! I can help. I! you choose
to oppose me in this1 all I can say is good luc*. ;ou4ll need it.
Sincerely1
Tom 'rant
T5E '#AT (?M"A; (3 p4./-,/4!
On F"n*"r( 23 22.3 Co*rtne( "nd To% t"&8ed on t$e p$one 5or o6er "n $o*r.
T$e 5o&&o7in4 is " p"rti"& tr"ns#ript o5 t$"t #on6ers"tion 7$i#$ in#&*ded " dis#*ssion
"'o*t t$e Kot$erL note. (3 p4./!
T6 - K:$"t "'o*t t$e ot$er noteD Ro* %entioned in Ro&&in4 Stone "'o*t "not$er note
t$"t $e 7rote to (o*.L
CL - KIt?s &i8e " &etter "nd it?s not re"&&( &i8e " s*i#ide note. It?s &i8e3 it see%s %ore &i8e3 it
7"s &i8e in " se"&ed en6e&ope3 "nd it 7"s ;*st &i8e to %e3 "nd it see%s &i8e $e 7rote it in
re$"'.L
T6 - K:$ere?d (o* 5ind itDL
CL - KIt 7"s in %( 'edroo%3 *nder %( pi&&o7s.L
T6 - KUnder (o*r pi&&o7sL
CL - KRe"$3 "nd I didn?t te&& "n('od( "'o*t it '*t Rose%"r( "nd *$3 I to&d S4t. C"%eron
"'o*t it.L
T6 - KRe"$...L
CL - KI &et $i% see it3 *%...L
T6 - KT$ere?s on&( one pro'&e% 7it$ t$"t3 Co*rtne(.L
CL - K:$"tDL
T6 - KI &oo8ed *nder (o*r pi&&o7s.L
CL , L:eI&...
T6 - KF*st &i8e 7e &oo8ed *nder (o*r %"ttresses.L
CL - KIt 7"s t$ere.L
T6 - KT$"t?s $o7 I 5o*nd t$e Ro$(pno&3 'et7een (o*r %"ttresses. T$"t note 7"sn?t
*nder (o*r pi&&o7s on t$e 'ed.L
CL - KTo%3 it 7"s... "nd I s$o7ed it to S4t. C"%eron3 "nd $e #"n pro6e it. I o7n it. I?&&
s$o7 it to (o*. :$"te6er (o*... i5 (o* 7"nt to see it.L
T6 - KRe"$3 I?d &i8e to see it. I?d &i8e to see it. B*t 7$"t I?% te&&in4 (o* is3 it 7"s not t$ere
t$e ni4$t 'e5ore t$e 'od( 7"s 5o*nd3 or t$e ni4$t 'e5ore t$"t. Be#"*se 7e3 (o* 8no73
(o* #"n "s8 D(&"n "'o*t t$is3 7e pi#8ed t$e pi&&o7s *p. :e 7ere &oo8in4 5or dr*4s. :e
&oo8ed *nder t$e %"ttresses. T$"t?s 7$ere t$e Ro$(pno& 7"s. T$ere 7"s no note in "n
en6e&ope.L
CL - KIt 7"s &i8e ri4$t..3 ri4$t...3 it 7"s "$... it 7"s in "$... it 7"s in " &on4 &e4"& en6e&ope3
7$ite en6e&ope3 t$"t 7"s se"&ed. It $"d %( n"%e on it "nd it 7"s de5inite&( in K*rt?s
7ritin43 "nd it 7"s ri4$t *nder %( pi&&o7s.L
T6 C DRe"$3 O8.L
CL - K@i8e3 I $"6e " '*n#$ o5 pi&&o7s on t$"t 'ed... it 7"s ri4$t t$ere.L
T6 - KA&& I #"n s"( to t$"t3 Co*rtne( is: QI5 (o* s"( soJ? (3 p4./,/2!
On T$*rsd"( %ornin43 Apri& 0t$3 7e&& "5ter t$e ti%e o5 K*rt?s de"t$3 To% "nd
D(&"n &oo8ed *nder t$e pi&&o7s "nd t$e 'ed3 "nd 'et7een t$e %"ttresses. T$"t?s 7$ere
To% 5o*nd " p"#8"4e o5 t$e dr*4 Ro$(pno& 7$i#$ $e &"ter to&d Co*rtne( "'o*t. D(&"n
"nd To% &oo8ed e6er(7$ere 5or dr*4s "nd dr*4 p"r"p$ern"&i" t$"t %i4$t indi#"te
7$et$er or not K*rt $"d 'een in t$e $o*se re#ent&(. (3 p4./!
Is "&& t$is &o4i#"&D Did Co*rtne( re"&&( te&& Rose%"r( C"rro&& "'o*t t$is Kot$erL
noteD Not &i8e&(. At &e"st not 5or se6er"& %ont$s. Rose%"r( 7"s initi"&&( 5*rnis$in4 $i%
7it$ e6iden#e t$"t i%p&i#"ted Co*rtne( in K*rt?s de"t$. S$e 7o*&d $"6e s"id so%et$in4
"'o*t t$is note i5 s$e 8ne7 "'o*t it. I5 Co*rtne( s$o7ed t$e <ot$er< note to S4t.
C"%eron it s$o*&d $"6e 'een 'oo8ed into e6iden#e "nd it s$o*&d $"6e 'een &isted in t$e
po&i#e reports. T$e 5"#t t$"t it 7"sn?t indi#"ted eit$er Co*rtne( is &(in4 or t$e po&i#e $"6e
#o6ered *p t$e in5or%"tion "'o*t t$is Kot$er< note. (3 p4./2!
B*t 7e do 8no73 t2ere /ere t/o notesE One 7"s to $is 5"ns e=p&"inin4 $is
de#ision to P*it per5or%in4. T$e ot$er 7"s to $is 7i5e e=p&"inin4 $is de#ision to &e"6e
$er. Neit$er o5 t$e notes 7"s s*i#id"&J One o5 t$ese notes 7"s de&i'er"te&( #on#e"&ed
5ro% To% "nd t$e p*'&i# 7$i&e Co*rtne( pretended to en#o*r"4e $i% to in6esti4"te
K*rt?s de"t$. :$( #on#e"& t$e se#ond noteD Be#"*se 7$en re"d to4et$er3 t$e se#ond
note3 t$e one K*rt &e5t 5or Co*rtne(3 t$e one s$e 8ept in se#ret3 7o*&d prove t$e note
5o*nd "t t$e s#ene.../$s not $ DsuicideF noteE (3 p4./2!
D*rin4 t$eir #on6ers"tion on F"n*"r( 23 22.3 Co*rtne( to&d To% t$e Ro%e
note A" t$ird &etter3 5ro% t$e in#ident '"#8 in M"r#$3 224B %ost&( ;*st Ktr"s$esL $er.
)o7e6er3 s$e #&"i%ed3 KIt s"(s one t$in4 6er( de5inite&( s*i#id"&.L T$en Co*rtne( P*oted
" &ine 5ro% t$is note: KDr. B"8er s"(s I 7o*&d $"6e to #$oose 'et7een &i5e "nd de"t$. I?%
#$oosin4 de"t$.L (3 p4.-2! Keep in %ind3 t$e in#ident in Ro%e 7"s ne6er #"&&ed "
s*i#ide "tte%pt3 '( "n(one3 *nti& AFTER K*rt died in Se"tt&e. To% 'e&ie6es t$"t K*rt9s
response to t$e do#tor9s "d6i#e (i5 7e #"n tr*st Co*rtne( to P*ote t$e Ro%e note
"##*r"te&(! 7"s " si%p&e st"te%ent t$"t $e 7o*&d %"8e $is o7n #$oi#es in &i5e. T$e
p$r"se 7"s t7isted '( Co*rtne( to #on6in#e t$e %edi" "nd t$e p*'&i# t$"t K$e 7"nted to
8i&& $i%se&5.L (3 p4.--!
Co*rtne( #$"n4ed $er stor( "'o*t t$e Ro%e note 7$en s$e spo8e to Spin
M"4"Gine (Fe' 22.!: <It 7"s on $ote& st"tion"r(3 "nd $e9s t"&8in4 "'o*t $o7 I9% not in
&o6e 7it$ $i% "n(%ore..."nd $e 8no7s $o7 %*#$ I &o6e $i%..."nd t$"t &i8e )"%&et3 $e
$"d to #$oose 'et7een &i5e "nd de"t$3 "nd $e s"id $e 7"s #$oosin4 de"t$.< )ere3 s$e
%entions )"%&et3 " #$"r"#ter 5ro% " S$"8espe"re p&"( 7$o #onsiders t"8in4 $is o7n
&i5e. S$e s7it#$ed t$e "ttri'*tion 5ro% Dr. B"8er to )"%&et3 t$ere'( %"8in4 t$e P*ote
so*nd s*i#id"&.
<@o6e 4"6e *s "not$er note 7$i#$ s$e s"id K*rt $"d 7ritten in Ro%e. S$e s"id it
7"s " s*i#ide note3 '*t it 7"sn9t. It 7"s " r"%'&in4 &etter 7$i#$ 7"s 6er( *n5&"tterin4 to
$er. T$ere "re so%e 6ei&ed re5eren#es 7$i#$ (o*9d $"6e to stret#$ to #on#&*de re5erred
to s*i#ide.< (Unn"%ed po&i#e o55i#er o5 t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e3 :KKCD3 p"4e 2-!
In t$e 'oo8 KCo'"inL '( t$e editors o5 Ro&&in4 Stone3 Nei& Str"*ss 7rites
re4"rdin4 t$e Ro%e e6ent3 K>o&d Mo*nt"in3 ANir6"n"?s %"n"4e%ent #o%p"n(B3 sti&&
denies t$"t " s*i#ide "tte%pt 7"s %"de. A note 7"s 5o*nd3 s"(s " #o%p"n(
spo8es%"n3 '*t K*rt insisted it 7"sn?t " s*i#ide note. )e ;*st too8 "&& o5 $is "nd
Co*rtne(?s %one( "nd 7"s 4oin4 to r*n "7"( "nd dis"ppe"r.L (3 p4.--! :e9&& ne6er
8no7 7$"t t$"t &etter re"&&( s"id 'e#"*se 7$en it 7"s ret*rned to $er , Co*rtne( #&"i%ed
S4t. C"%eron "d6ised $er: <T$is 7i&& ne6er do (o* "n( 4ood. I?d 4et rid o5 t$is i5 I 7ere
(o*.L
KSo3L s$e to&d To% &"ter d*rin4 " te&ep$one #on6ers"tion3 KI (urned itEF (3
p4.--!
C)A+TER 2 , TOM >RANT >OES +UB@IC
Ro*n4 peop&e st"rted 8i&&in4 t$e%se&6es 'e#"*se t$e( 7ere #on5*sed '( K*rt9s
so,#"&&ed s*i#ide. Under "n( #ir#*%st"n#es3 Co'"in?s de"t$ 7o*&d $"6e 'een " tr"4i#
"nd s"d &oss to $is 5"ns. B*t $is ,suicide7 #"*sed " s$ort #ir#*it. It didn?t %"8e sense. As
t$e tr*t$ "'o*t t$is #"se 7"s s&o7&( re6e"&ed3 dete#ti6es 5ro% t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e
Dep"rt%ent 7ere 5or#ed to #o6er t$eir tr"#8s. A5ter "&&3 7$"t 7o*&d t$e( s"( to Co'"in?s
5"ns "nd to t$e de6"st"ted 5"%i&ies o5 t$e K#op(,#"tL 6i#ti%s o5 %isin5or%"tionD (3
p4./4!
>r"nt9s #on#ern "'o*t t$ese <#op(#"t< s*i#ides #o%%itted '( %isin5or%ed
Nir6"n" 5"ns sp*rred $i% to 4o p*'&i# 7it$ $is #&"i%s on De#e%'er 3 2243 in "n
inter6ie7 on t$e <T$e >i& >ross S$o73< 7$i#$ is s(ndi#"ted to 0. st"tions '( CBS
R"dio. >i& 5&e7 To% >r"nt to Ne7 Ror8 "nd "&&o7ed $i% to 4et in5or%"tion to t$e p*'&i#
5or t$e 5irst ti%e on " n"tion"&&( s(ndi#"ted r"dio t"&8 s$o7. @o6e9s &"7(ers &e"rned o5
>r"nt9s s#$ed*&ed "ppe"r"n#e 7$en >ross pro%oted t$e inter6ie7 on t$e s$o7 " 5e7
d"(s 'e5ore it too8 p&"#e. <T$e( #"&&ed "nd 7"rned *s t$"t 7e 'etter not do it3< s"(s t$e
s$o79s prod*#er3 >re4 Co#8re&&. <T$e( %"de #&e"r t$ere 7o*&d 'e &e4"& "#tion. >i& s"id3
9>o "$e"d3 7e9re doin4 it "n(7"(.< E=#ept 5or reP*estin4 " t"pe o5 t$e s$o73 >ross
ne6er $e"rd '"#8 5ro% Co*rtne(. (3 p4.12H!
To% $"s 'een #riti#iGed '( so%e 7$o 5ee& $is 7or8 %i4$t $*rt Fr"n#es. For o6er
DM (e"rs To% 7or8ed #&ose&( 7it$ " n"tion"&&( 8no7n e=pert on #$i&d "'*se "nd $"s
spent #o*nt&ess $o*rs #ons*&tin4 "nd 7or8in4 on #$i&d "'*se #"ses. )e is " 5"t$er o5
t$ree 4ro7n d"*4$ters "nd 4r"nd5"t$er o5 se6en. )e $"s s"id $is #on#ern 5or 8ids ste%s
5ro% $is 7or8 "nd 5ro% $is o7n person"& e=perien#e. :it$ "&& t$e ne4"ti6e press
#onde%nin4 K*rt 5or s*#$ " Kse&5is$ "#t3L Fr"n#es needs to 8no7 t$"t $er 5"t$er &o6ed
$er 5"r too %*#$ to $"6e done 7$"t $e?s 'een "##*sed o5. (3 p4./4!
T$e 6is*"& i%"4es #re"ted "nd pro%oted '( Co*rtne( @o6e "nd ot$ers "re
"#t*"&&( %*#$ 7orse t$"n t$e tr*e i%"4es &e5t in t$e 7"8e o5 K*rt?s de"t$. Contr"r( to
pop*&"r 'e&ie53 t$e s$ot4*n '&"st res*&ted in 6er( &itt&e visi%le d"%"4e. T$is 7"s "n intr",
or"& dis#$"r4e: t$e s$ot4*n '"rre& 7"s p&"#ed in t$e %o*t$ "4"inst t$e $"rd p"&&et. T$e
pe&&ets 5ro% t$e s$ot4*n '&"st re%"ined inside t$e $e"d. It 7"s " Kpenetr"tin4L s$ot t$"t
did not e=it. As " res*&t3 t$ere 7"s no '&ood or tiss*e Ksp&"tterL 7$i#$ 7o*&d $"6e 'een
t(pi#"& o5 %ost s$ot4*n '&"sts to t$e $e"d. T$ere was1 $o7e6er3 " poo& o5 '&ood on t$e
5&oor 5ro% seep"4e3 "nd d"%"4e inside t$e %o*t$ #o*&d 'e o'ser6ed. T$*s t$e po&i#e
report indi#"tes3 Ko'6io*s tr"*%" to $is $e"d.L B*t3 *n&i8e t$e 5"8e p$otos 'ein4 p"ssed
"ro*nd "nd t$e 4ross&( e="44er"ted 6is*"& i%"4es de&i'er"te&( p&"nted in t$e %inds o5
K*rt?s 5"ns3 t$ere 7"s no 4"pin4 e=it 7o*nd. A&t$o*4$ dr"7n "nd s&i4$t&( distorted d*e
to t$e 'e4innin4 e55e#ts o5 de#o%position3 K*rt?s 5"#i"& 5e"t*res 7ere "&& &e5t int"#t "nd
re#o4niG"'&e. (3 p4.//!
T$e press reported Co'"in #o*&d on&( 'e identi5ied '( 5in4erprints. T$e tr*t$ is3
K*rt Co'"in 7"s 5in4erprinted 5or identi5i#"tion "s " %"tter o5 procedure1 not ne#essit(.
T$e s$ot4*n 7"s " 20 4"*4e. T$is is " &ess po7er5*& 7e"pon t$"n t$e %ore #o%%on 2
4"*4e s$ot4*n. T$is s$ot4*n3 e6en 7it$ its K&i4$t &o"dL set,*p3 7o*&d nor%"&&( #"*se
%*#$ %ore d"%"4e. T$e &"#8 o5 e=tensi6e d"%"4e 7"s " 5&*8e d*e to t$e "n4&e o5
dis#$"r4e "nd s8*&& t$i#8ness. It $"ppens in " s%"&& per#ent"4e o5 s$ootin4s o5 t$is t(pe.
T$ere?s no 7"( "n(one #o*&d $"6e 8no7n in "d6"n#e t$"t t$is s$ot4*n 7o*&d not &e"6e
" %*#$ *4&ier %ess. (3 p4.//!
Co*rtne( $"s pro%oted 5"&se 6is*"& i%"4es '( p&"ntin4 in"##*r"te "nd $orri5i#
det"i&s in t$e %inds o5 "&re"d( #on5*sed 5"ns. (3 p4.//! Respondin4 to " P*estion "'o*t
&(ri# 7ritin4 d*rin4 "n inter6ie7 in t$e De#e%'er 224 iss*e. o5 Ro&&in4 Stone3 Co*rtne(
#o%%ents3 K:$en (o*?6e $"d (o*r $*s'"nd?s '&ood on (o*r 5"#e3 $o7 #"n (o* 7rite
"'o*t itD :$en (o* 7"&8 "ro*nd in t$e #o"t t$"t $e s$ot $is $e"d o55 in3 $o7 #"n (o*
7riteDL D*rin4 "not$er inter6ie73 Co*rtne( #ries $(steri#"&&( "s s$e t"&8s "'o*t t$e
prospe#t o5 Fr"n#es e6er seein4 K" pi#t*re o5 $i% 7it$ $is 5*#8in? $e"d '&o7n o55.L
Co*rtne( $"s 8no7n 5ro% t$e 'e4innin4 t$"t $er $*s'"nd?s $e"d 7"s not Ks$ot o55L "nd
"n( p$otos o5 " %"n 7it$ $is $e"d K'&o7n o55L "re not p$otos o5 K*rt Co'"in. :$( does
Co*rtne( insist on pro%otin4 t$e *4&iest3 %ost 6io&ent i%"4e o5 t$e %"n s$e #&"i%s to
$"6e &o6ed , "n i%"4e s$e 8no7s to 'e *ntr*eD
Be#"*se... it %"8es 5or 4ood pressJ
o one $"s spre"d %ore Ks*i#ideL $(pe t$"n Co*rtne( @o6e.
o one $"s #"pit"&iGed on K*rt?s de"t$ %ore t$"n Co*rtne( @o6e.
o one $"s e=p&oited K*rt?s d"*4$ter %ore t$"n Co*rtne( @o6e.
And 7$en it #o%es to t$e Kpri6"#(L o5 t$e 5"%i&(3 no one $"s 6io&"ted t$e di4nit(
o5 K*rt Co'"in %ore t$"n $is Kpro5ession"& 7ido7.L (3 p4./0!
T$e A&&"n )"nde&%"n S$o73 "not$er n"tion"&&( s(ndi#"ted t"&8 s$o73 i4nored t$e
t$re"ts %"de '( Co*rtne(?s "ttorne(s. A&&"n too8 t$e ti%e to st*d( t$e #"se "nd soon
re"&iGed To% $"d so%e t$in4s t$"t needed to 'e $e"rd. A&&"n inter6ie7ed To% on $is
s$o7 on %ore t$"n 0 sep"r"te o##"sionsJ Response 5ro% t$e A&&"n )"nde&%"n
pro4r"%s 7"s o6er7$e&%in4. A55i&i"te r"dio st"tions 7ere in*nd"ted 7it$ #"&&s reP*estin4
%ore in5or%"tion "nd e=pressin4 "ppre#i"tion to A&&"n 5or #o6erin4 t$e stor(. As " res*&t
o5 t$e A&&"n )"nde&%"n s$o73 se6er"& %edi" so*r#es 7ere "'&e to see t$ro*4$ t$e
s%o8e '&o7n '( Co*rtne(?s "ttorne(s. In5or%"tion "'o*t t$is in6esti4"tion $"s no7 'een
p*'&is$ed in 'oo8s "nd %"4"Gines3 not on&( in $e U.S. '*t "&so in En4&"nd3 S7eden3
It"&(3 A*str"&i" "nd doGens o5 ot$er #o*ntries "ro*nd t$e 7or&d. +*'&i#it( is not "
person"& 4o"& $ere '*t it is ne#ess"r( i5 7e e6er e=pe#t to 4"in " s*pport '"se 7it$
eno*4$ stren4t$ to press*re t$e "*t$orities into re,openin4 t$is #"se. (3 p4.1-!
In F"n*"r( o5 22. t$e prod*#er o5 t$e Ke6in "nd Be"n s$o7 7$i#$ "irs on
KROS,0/.0 FM in @os An4e&es3 #"&&ed To% to reP*est " 5i6e %in*te3 on "ir te&ep$one
inter6ie7. KFi6e %in*tesDL $e t$o*4$t to $i%se&5. KNo 7"(JL T$is 7"s " st"tion t$"t p&"(s
" &ot o5 )o&e?s %*si# "nd t$e t7o DF9s 7ere #o%edi"ns. T$e( %"8e " ;o8e o*t o5
e6er(t$in4. :$( 7o*&d t$e( 7"nt To% 5or on&( 5i6e %in*tesD )e to&d t$e prod*#er $e
7o*&d do "n $o*r %ini%*%3 not$in4 &ess3 "nd 7"nted to %eet 7it$ Ke6in "nd Be"n t$e
d"( 'e5ore to 4o o6er 7$"t $e 7"s 7i&&in4 to dis#*ss. (3 p4.10!
T$e( %et "t t$e st*dio 5or t7o $o*rs t$e d"( 'e5ore t$e( 7ent on t$e "ir3 Ke6in
"nd Be"n "4reed to &et To% &e"d t$e &isteners t$ro*4$ t$e e6ents o*t&ined in t$e
ti%e&ine. To% s"id t$"t 7o*&d t"8e *p %ost o5 t$e $o*r. KNo pro'&e%3L Ke6in "ss*red3
"nd "&& p"rties "4reed to t$e 5or%"t. Bot$ Ke6in "nd Be"n 7ere 5riend&( "nd #"%e
"#ross "s so%e7$"t s*pporti6e3 '*t To% $"d " 5ee&in4 it 7"s " set,*p. S*re eno*4$3 ten
%in*tes or so into t$e 'ro"d#"st $e 7"s "%'*s$ed 7it$ 6er'"& "tt"#8s. It 7"s o'6io*s
t$ese 4*(s $"d " ;o' to do. Fort*n"te&(3 it 7"s "&so o'6io*s to t$e &istenersJ An $o*r "nd
" $"&5 &"ter3 t$e( 7ere sti&& 4oin43 t$e p$one &ines 7ere "&& &it *p "nd t$e s7it#$'o"rd 7"s
5*&&. Ke6in "nd Be"n tried to do " $"t#$et ;o' '*t it 7"s '"#85irin4. T$e %";orit( o5 t$e
#"&&ers 7ere s*pporti6e o5 t$e in6esti4"tion "nd 7"nted to $e"r %ore. (3 p4.1!
In spite o5 #onst"nt #riti#is% '( t$ese DFs3 "n "ttorne( #"&&ed in 5ro% $is #"r
p$one "nd s"id so%et$in4 &i8e3 KRo*?re not &istenin4. T$is 4*( 8no7s 7$"t $e?s doin43L
"nd t$en 4"6e t$e% " 'rie5 &esson on r*&es o5 e6iden#e. :$en it #"%e ti%e 5or To% to
&e"6e3 Ke6in "nd Be"n "s8ed i5 $e 7o*&d #o%e '"#8 ne=t 7ee8 5or " 5o&&o7,*p inter6ie7.
It 7"s o'6io*s t$e &isteners 7"nted %ore. KS*re. An( ti%e3L To% rep&ied. As $e dro6e
"7"( 5ro% t$e st*dio3 $e t*rned on t$e #"r r"dio "nd $e"rd t$e DFs #riti#iGe t$e
in6esti4"tion3 re5errin4 to To% "s K" 5"t &o"d.L Be"n e6ent*"&&( #o%%ented3 K)e?s 4ot "n
"4end".L T$is 7"s o'6io*s&( "n "tte%pt to dis#redit t$e 7or8 on t$is #"se. T$e on&(
"4end" To% >r"nt $"s pro%oted is:
. Stop t$e KCop(,#"tL s*i#ides
2. +*t Co*rtne( @o6e on noti#e...
-. Set *p " 5or*% 5or re&e"sin4 in5or%"tion...
4. >"in s*pport 5ro% Co'"in?s 5"ns...
.. +ress*re t$e "*t$orities to re,open t$is #"se.
Inste"d o5 #o%in4 "#ross "s " K#onspir"#( n*tL 7$o t$ese $ired 4*ns #o*&d e"si&(
dis#redit3 t$e r"dio "*dien#e o6er7$e&%in4&( deter%ined t$"t To% 7"s #redi'&e "nd
7$"t $"d i%port"nt in5or%"tion. T$e( 7"nted to $e"r %ore. Ke6in "nd Be"n 7ere
press*red '( &istener response to in6ite $i% '"#8 in t$e ne"r 5*t*re. T$e( "&so "ss*red
t$eir "*dien#e t$e( 7o*&d t"8e %ore #"&&s "'o*t t$e s*';e#t "nd 7o*&d #ontin*e t$e
dis#*ssion "'o*t K*rt?s de"t$ on t$e ne=t s$o7. (3 p41!
At 0:00 AM t$e ne=t %ornin43 To% re#orded t$e Ke6in "nd Be"n S$o7. :$"t
5o&&o7s is " tr"ns#ript o5 t$e introd*#tion to t$"t s$o7:
BEAN - ,It/s the world !amous K2roc*1 D@M.N K#?P. Kevin and 6ean hereat NJBN. $e do
have to ta*e care o! some pressing %usiness %ecause we/ve had1aah1 I don/t thin* I/m
e<aggerating i! I say1 we/ve had a lot o! phone calls this morning...7
KEVIN - ,Aah1 you/re not e<aggerating at allO7
BEAN - ,A lot o! phone calls this morning Q!rom peopleR who are loo*ing !or some sort o!
!ollow2up on what we devoted the entire show to yesterday1 which was a private
investigator who was in tal*ing a%out the death o! Kurt (o%ain...$e are %eing !orced1
D@@S against our will to read this to you. 4(ourtney &ove/s representatives o%-ected to
the contents o! yesterday/s show. ?ut o! de!erence to Miss &ove1 we are not going to %e
!ollowing up today on any su%-ects related to Miss &ove the way we might usually do so.
$e may have something !urther to say in the !uture. Than*s !or listening and
understanding./ That/s %asically the total1 the sum o! what we are %eing allowed to say
on the air today.7 (3 p4.12!
So To% 7"s not in6ited '"#8 "s t$e( $"d pro%ised t$eir &isteners3 "nd #"&&ers
7ere not "&&o7ed to e6en 'rin4 t$is s*';e#t *p on t$e "ir 5ro% t$"t d"( on. Most o5 *s "re
e=tre%e&( n"i6e 7$en it #o%es to o*r 'e&ie5s "nd o*r *nderst"ndin4 o5 5reedo% o5
spee#$ "nd 5reedo% o5 t$e press. T$is 7"s " per5e#t e="%p&e o5 $o7 %one( "nd po7er
#"n '*( si&en#e3 e6en t$o*4$ t$e p*'&i# desper"te&( 7"nts to $e"rJ T$is t(pe o5
#ensors$ip is en5or#ed t$ro*4$ inti%id"tion "nd 5e"r o5 &"7s*its. T$e to'"##o #o%p"nies
"re e=perts "t t$is t"#ti# "s e6iden#ed '( t$e C.B.S. s$o73 /0 MINUTES. (3 p4.12!
T$e Ke6in "nd Be"n S$o7 rep&"(ed "t %idni4$t on F"n*"r( / in Se"tt&e3 "nd
Co*rtne( 7"s &istenin4. At 4:01 AM3 t7o $o*rs "5ter t$e s$o7 ended3 Co*rtne( #"&&ed
To%9s o55i#e "nd &e5t " %ess"4e on t$e "ns7erin4 %"#$ine. Adept "t p&"(in4 t$e ro&e o5
6i#ti%3 Co*rtne( so*nded &i8e s$e 7"s on t$e 6er4e o5 #r(in4. Fo&&o7in4 is " 'rie5
tr"ns#ript o5 e=#erpts 5ro% t$"t "ns7erin4 %"#$ine %ess"4e (3 p4.12!:
,5i Tom. This is (ourtney... I -ust heard the radio thing... I haven/t heard you tell
an out1 ya *now1 I listened to the thing and I didn/t hear you tell1 tell li*e outright lies... I
wish you were doing it !or the money and the reali3ation that you/re doing it %ecause you
thin* that it/s right hurts me a lot1 and1 and you/re not1 %ut 9the machine cuts o!!: ,Four ?
Eight...7 (3 p4.20!
Co*rtne( did not so*nd "n4r( on t$e p$one. S$e "#t*"&&( so*nded hurtO To% 7"s
"7"re $o7 6indi#ti6e Co*rtne( #o*&d 'e. S$e $"d pre6io*s&( 'r"44ed to $i% "'o*t
t$ro7in4 " 'ri#8 t$ro*4$ t$e 7indo7 o5 one o5 $er 5or%er K5riends.L Co*rtne( $"d "&so
spo8en o5 $o7 s$e tr"s$ed Trent ReGnor?s $ote& roo% "5ter $e re;e#ted $er. To% 7"s
e6en 7it$ Co*rtne( on#e 7$en s$e 7ent '"&&isti# 5or ne"r&( -0 %in*tes 'e#"*se one o5
$er '"nd %e%'ers po&ite&( s"id s$e s$o*&d 4o do7n t$e $"&& to 6isit $er d"*4$ter. No7
Co*rtne( &istened to To% te&& " n"tion"& r"dio "*dien#e t$"t s$e 7"s in6o&6ed in t$e
%*rder o5 $er $*s'"ndN "nd s$e 7"sn?t "n4r(DJ To% >r"nt is " pri6"te in6esti4"tor3 not
" #op3 "nd t$ere5ore $e #"nnot en5or#e t$e &"7 or prose#*te #ri%in"&s. )is ;o' is to
pro6ide "##*r"te "nd tr*t$5*& in5or%"tion. Ot$er t$"n t$"t3 "&& $e #"n do is tr( to #o%pe&
t$e "*t$orities to do t$eir ;o's. Co*rtne( 8no7s t$"t3 "nd (et s$e see%s to 'e *n*s*"&&(
respe#t5*&3 i5 not !ear!ul o5 $is ro&e in t$is in6esti4"tion. (3 p420!
Co*rtne( 8no7s K*rt 7"s %*rdered. S$e 8no7s To% is te&&in4 t$e tr*t$. )er
re"#tion to t$e r"dio 'ro"d#"st re"&&( 7"sn?t %*#$ o5 " s*rprise. )er #$oi#es 7ere
so%e7$"t &i%ited. Co*rtne( 8ne7 To% #o*&dn?t 'e inti%id"ted. S$e "&so 8ne7 s$e
#o*&dn?t t$ro7 %one( "t t$e pro'&e% t$is ti%e. So s$e p*t on $er K6i#ti%L "#t3 &i8e s$e did
5or MTI "nd on t$e B"r'"r" :"&ters Spe#i"&. KI5 I st"rt to #r( I 7i&& pro'"'&( 4et *p "nd
&e"6e t$e roo%3L Co*rtne( "d6ises " Ro&&in4 Stone inter6ie7er in t$e De#. 224 iss*e.
To no one?s s*rprise3 s$e does #r(. B*t3 "##ordin4 to t$e 7riter3 s$e ne6er &e5t t$e roo%.
O5 #o*rse not. S$e didn?t $"6e "n audience in "n( ot$er roo%J (3 p4.20!
A5ter " n*%'er o5 %eetin4s 7it$ Co*rtne( "nd %ore t$"n .0 $o*rs o5
do#*%ented te&ep$one #on6ers"tions3 To% $"d 'e#o%e 5"%i&i"r 7it$ $er p&"( "#tin4 "s
7e&& "s $er ne6er,endin4 p*'&i#it( s#$e%es. On %ore t$"n one o##"sion Co*rtne( 7o*&d
s*dden&( '*rst into te"rs "nd #r( $(steri#"&&(3 #on6enient&( #$"n4in4 t$e s*';e#t "nd
5o#*s o5 t$e dis#*ssion 7$i&e e6"din4 #riti#"& P*estions. B*t Co*rtne( o5ten 5or4ets 7$o
s$e?s &ied to "nd 7$o s$e?s #on5ided in. One 4*t 7ren#$in43 te"r s$eddin4 episode To%
person"&&( 7itnessed 7"s "#t*"&&( 'ro*4$t on '( so%et$in4 t$"t t$e( %oth 8ne7 to 'e "
&ie. A p$on( stor( Co*rtne( $erse&5 $"d p&"nted in t$e press. (3 p4.2!
An( se"soned po&i#e o55i#er 7i&& te&& (o*3 KTo 4et to t$e tr*t$3 (o* $"6e to &isten to
what t$e s*';e#t s"(s3 not how t$e( s"( it.L T$is #o%%on sense 4*ide&ine is essenti"& to
"n( #ri%in"& in6esti4"tion3 espe#i"&&( 7$en de"&in4 7it$ " 8no7n p"t$o&o4i#"& &i"r. @et?s
t"8e " #&oser &oo8 "t 7$"t Co*rtne( s"id in t$e "ns7erin4 %"#$ine %ess"4e. (3 p4.2!
C.@. , ,5i Tom. This is (ourtney... I -ust heard the radio thing...7
T$e Kr"dio t$in4L 7"s " n"tion"&&( s(ndi#"ted t7o $o*r #"&&,in t"&8 s$o7. On t$"t
pro4r"%3 To% 4"6e o*t ne"r&( "&& t$e 5"#ts "nd det"i&s o5 $is p*'&is$ed in6esti4"tion. )e
s"id K*rt 7"s &e"6in4 Co*rtne( and &e"6in4 Se"tt&e 7$en $e 7"s 5o*nd de"d. )e s"id
Co*rtne( $"d #"&&ed Rose%"r( C"rro&& "nd $"d "s8ed Rose%"r( to 4et $er t$e K%e"nest
%ost 6i#io*s di6or#e "ttorne(3L s$e #o*&d 5ind. )e s"id K*rt?s %o% did not 5i&e t$e
%issin4 person?s report3 Co*rtne( didJ S$e &ied to t$e po&i#e 7$en s$e #"&&ed in t$e
report #&"i%in4 to 'e K*rt?s %ot$er. To% spo8e "'o*t spe#i5i# 5"&se stories Co*rtne( $"d
p&"nted in t$e press 'ot$ 'e5ore "nd "5ter Co'"in?s de"t$. )e t"&8ed "'o*t Co*rtne(?s
"55"ir 7it$ Bi&&( Cor4"n t$ree 7ee8s "5ter K*rt?s de"t$3 "nd on "nd on. (3 p4.2! And
"5ter "&& t$"t3 Co*rtne(?s %ess"4e 7"s3 ,I didn/t hear you tell..li*e1 outright lies...7 (3
p4.22!
T$is is " t"pe re#orded st"te%ent 5ro% Co*rtne( "d%ittin4 s$e did not $e"r To%
te&& "n( Ko*tri4$t &ies.L Co*rtne( $"s "d%itted To% >r"nt 7"s te&&in4 t$e truth "'o*t t$e
5"#ts s*rro*ndin4 $er $*s'"nd?s de"t$. T$e 5"#ts $e &"id o*t3 t$e 5"#ts t$"t Co*rtne(?s
s*pporters s"( "re created1 "re "#t*"&&( 7e&& s*pported3 not on&( '( " s*'st"nti"& "%o*nt
o5 e6iden#e3 (ut $%so (3 Courtne3 Love4s o/n $d1issionE A s"d re"&it( o5 $*%"n
n"t*re is t$"t %"n( (o*n4 peop&e "re '&ind&( in5"t*"ted '( Co*rtne(?s K#e&e'rit(.L T$e(
don?t re"&&( care s$e?s 'een te&&in4 so %"n( &ies. (3 p4.22!
Co*rtne( is 7e&& #onne#ted. S$e $"s so%e po7er5*& 5riends3 not on&( in t$e
Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent3 '*t in t$e entert"in%ent ind*str(. T$ese peop&e "re
deter%ined to %"8e $er " st"r no %"tter $o7 %*#$ t$e( $"6e to #o6er,*p 5or $er. In
5"#t3 Co*rtne( 'r"4s open&( to $er 5riends "'o*t $er ties to D"6id >e55en3 "nd Mr. >e55en
$"s #o%e to $er "id on %ore t$"n one o##"sion. (3 p4.12! Rose%"r( C"rro&&3
Co*rtne(?s entert"in%ent "ttorne(3 is %"rried to D"nn( >o&d'er43 5or%er CEO o5 :"rner
Bros. Re#ords (TIME,:ARNER ENTERTAINMENT!. Co*&d it 'e t$"t D"nn( >o&d'er4
$"d so%e in5&*en#e on so%e o5 $is 5riends o6er "t TIME MA>A\INED >o&d'er4 $"s
'een e=tre%e&( s*pporti6e o5 Co*rtne( @o6e. )e?s doin4 e6er(t$in4 $e #"n to 8eep t$e
p*'&i# 5ro% $e"rin43 or "t &e"st 5ro% %elieving1 t$"t $is 7i5e Rose%"r( 7"s one o5 t$e
5irst to 'e s*spi#io*s o5 Co*rtne(?s in6o&6e%ent in t$e %*rder o5 K*rt Co'"in. (3 p4.12!
See C$"pter "n interestin4 5ootnote "'o*t D"nn( >o&d'er4.
In Kerr"n4?s F"n*"r( 21 22. edition3 t$e( reported t$"t To% >r"nt $"d done "
r"dio s$o7 in t$e US "'o*t $is %*rder Kt$eor(L3 '*t t$"t $e 4"6e no indi#"tion o5 7$o t$e
pri%e s*spe#ts 7ere. To% did indi#"te $is s*spe#ts3 so 7$( did RA: %"4"Gine?s
Fe'r*"r( 22. edition "&so 5"i& to report t$"t To% 7"s &iter"&&( pointin4 t$e 5in4er "t
Co*rtne( "nd De:itt. T$eir re"ders 7eren?t 'ein4 4i6en #orre#t in5or%"tion. S"d&(3 7$en
;o*rn"&ists 5"i& to report t$oro*4$&(3 #ri%in"&s #"n 4et "7"( 7it$ "n(t$in4.
Soon "5ter To% re&e"sed $is in5or%"tion in Apri& o5 22.3 Co*rtne(?s "ttorne(s
too8 o*t 5*&& p"4e "ds in %";or %edi" 'ro"d#"stin4 %"4"Gines t$re"tenin4 to s*e
"n(one 7$o p"rti#ip"tes Keit$er dire#t&( or indire#t&(3 in t$e disse%in"tion or p*'&i#"tion
o5 t$ese st"te%ents...L Co*rtne(?s $ot "ired "ttorne(s "&so t$re"tened To% 7it$ Ks7i5t
"#tion3L possi'&e &"7s*its "nd #ri%in"& prose#*tion 7$en $e 'e4"n spe"8in4 o*t. To t$is
d"te3 no &"7s*its or #ri%in"& #$"r4es $"6e 'een 5i&ed in re&"tion to To%9s 7or8 on t$is
#"se. A &"7s*it 7o*&d #re"te p*'&i#it( 5or t$e in6esti4"tion3 "nd it 7o*&d p*t Co*rtne(
@o6e on t$e 7itness st"nd. T$is t$e 6er( t$in4 t$e( *now t$e( %*st "6oid. A &"7s*it
7o*&d 4i6e To% "nd ot$ers t$e opport*nit( to present dis#&osed3 "nd *ndis#&osed3
e6iden#e in " #o*rt o5 &"7. A &"7s*it 7o*&d "&so 'rin4 i%%edi"te #o*nter s*its. (3 p4.10!
)o7e6er3 in 22. Co*rtne(?s "ttorne(s 5i&ed " #on5identi"& #o%p&"int 7it$ t$e
St"te Dep"rt%ent O5 Cons*%er A55"irs in S"#r"%ento C"&i5orni". T$is "4en#( iss*es
&i#enses to pri6"te in6esti4"tors in t$e St"te o5 C"&i5orni". R"t$er t$"n respond to t$e
to*4$ P*estions &e5t in t$e 7"8e o5 t$is in6esti4"tion3 Co*rtne(?s "ttorne(s 7ere si&ent&(
tr(in4 to 4et To%9s &i#ense s*spended or re6o8ed "nd p*t $i% o*t o5 '*siness. (3
p4.1-!
To% "nti#ip"ted t$is %o6e "nd prep"r"tions 7ere %"de in "d6"n#e. T$e
#o%p&"int 5i&ed on Co*rtne(?s 'e$"&5 #&"i%ed To% 6io&"ted " se#tion o5 t$e C"&i5orni"
B*siness "nd +ro5essions Code in re6e"&in4 t$e 5"#ts o5 $is in6esti4"tion to t$e p*'&i#.
T$e Code '"si#"&&( st"tes t$"t " pri6"te in6esti4"tor #"nnot dis#&ose in5or%"tion "'o*t "
pri6"te in6esti4"tion to "n(one3 (ot$er t$"n &"7 en5or#e%ent!3 7it$o*t t$e prior #onsent
o5 t$e in6esti4"tor?s #&ient. T$e 5o&&o7in4 "re e=#erpts 5ro% %( &etter o5 response to t$e
C"&i5orni" St"te Dep"rt%ent O5 Cons*%er A55"irs: (3 p4.1-!
Ms. Susan Kust
(ase Management 6ranch
D@AA@ Systems "ar*way1 Suite 6.
Sacramento1 (A =>LAN
#egarding (ase TIA => NNM=
Tom 'rant M ".I. &icense TDMM@B
Dear Ms. Kust1
In response to the complaint !iled1 I/ve listed %elow the reasons !or my actionsJ
D. Immediately a!ter Kurt (o%ain/s %ody was !ound1 my client gave my telephone
num%er to mem%ers o! the press. She had not only given me permission to tal* to
reporters1 she encouraged me to do so. She apparently assumed I was in a position
where I/d have to say something !avora%le. 6ecause o! my suspicions at the time1 I
declined. I wasn/t a%out to ma*e any pu%lic statements that I/d later have to go %ac* on.
A. I %elieve my client hired me under !alse pretenses1 there!ore voiding any
legitimate clientCinvestigator relationship.
B. ?n May L1 D==G1 one month a!ter Kurt (o%ain/s death1 I advised Ms. &ove she
was no longer my client as !ar as this investigation is concerned1 and that there would
%e no !urther charges !or my services. Ms. &ove continued to hire me !or other unrelated
investigations in an o%vious attempt to *eep in!ormed a%out what I was doing with the
murder investigation. I have no current plans to discuss the other investigations pu%licly
unless they somehow %ecome more closely related to this case.
G. I tried on several occasions to get Ms. &ove to come to my o!!ice and meet
with me while she was in &os Angeles. I warned her it was e<tremely important. I wanted
to discuss my suspicions in person and tell her a%out some o! my conclusions. I didn/t
want to simply send another letter. I !elt I needed to deal with her directly. Ms. &ove
promised to meet with me within a couple o! wee*s1 %ut even though she came to &os
Angeles !or several days and stayed within two miles o! my o!!ice1 she !ailed to meet
with me.
.. As I %egan turning up in!ormation indicating a possi%le murder1 I did go to the
police as the law reUuires... within seven days a!ter (o%ain/s deathO They chose to
devalue the in!ormation I had gathered and ignored countless inconsistencies1
contradictions1 and lies perpetrated %y my client.
/. I noti!ied my client in writing o! my suspicions and she %egan sa%otaging my
wor*.
N. Two other persons close to Ms. &ove died under suspicious circumstances
within two months a!ter the death o! her hus%and. This is too much o! a coincidence !or
me to ignore without concern !or my own personal sa!ety.
L. #eleasing this in!ormation to the pu%lic creates a sa!er atmosphere !or me and
those who wor* with me to operate in.
=. ?ther people are dying hereO Kids are *illing themselves %ecause o!
misin!ormation in the press and the !alse %elie! that someone they loo*ed up to chose
this way out o! his pro%lems.
D@. The Seattle "olice have ignored and continue to downplay legitimate
in!ormation indicating !oul play in the death o! (o%ain. 6ased on contradictions
contained in their own police reports1 the in!ormation they/ve released to the press and
the pu%lic has %een proven to %e inaccurate and e<tremely misleading.
The detectives on the Seattle "olice Department are highly motivated to cover2
up very sloppy investigation. It would %e !oolish to continue !urnishing the Seattle "olice
Department with legitimate evidence1 only to have it destroyed or discredited at will1 with
no pu%lic accounta%ility.
DD. I will not *eep silent a%out what I %elieve to %e a murder1 simply %ecause
others want to close their eyes. This case needs to %e re2investigated %y an
independent governmental agency. I! you !ind that I violated this section o! the 6usiness
and "ro!essions (ode and i! you suspend or revo*e my license1 your !indings will %e
appealed. &aws are important. They shouldn/t %e ignored. 6ut only a !ool would stop !or
a red light i! he *new he was a%out to %e rear2ended %y a speeding truc*.
Sincerely1
Tom 'rant
The 'rant (ompany (3 p414,1.!
A5ter re#ei6in4 t$is response3 t$e Dep"rt%ent O5 Cons*%er A55"irs noti5ied
Co*rtne( t$"t s$e 7o*&d $"6e to testi5( "t " $e"rin4 i5 s$e 7"nted to pro#eed 7it$ $er
"tte%pt to $"6e To%9s &i#ense re6o8ed. O5 #o*rse3 $er "ttorne(?s i%%edi"te&( 7it$dre7
t$e #o%p&"int. As %*#$ "s t$e(?d &i8e to see t$e in6esti4"tion si&en#ed3 t$e(?d ne6er ris8
p*ttin4 Co*rtne( @o6e on " 7itness st"nd. To%9s +.I. &i#ense 7"s not re6o8ed "nd $e
$e"rd not$in4 5*rt$er 5ro% t$e St"te Dep"rt%ent O5 Cons*%er A55"irs. (3 p4.1.!
Co*rtne( "nd $er &"7(ers $"6e t$re"tened %"n( ti%es to s*e t$eir detr"#tors3
'*t ne6er $"6e. In 22. Co*rtne( 5in"&&( "d%itted to ReP*est %"4"Gine t$"t s$e $"d
t"8en $eroin d*rin4 $er pre4n"n#( (so%et$in4 s$e denied 7$en t$e I"nit( F"ir "rti#&e
#"%e o*t in 222!3 <or e&se I 7o*&d $"6e s*ed A)irs#$'er49sB "ss o55<. T$is %*st 'e 7$(
s$e doesn9t s*e >r"nt. I5 s$e did s$e 7o*&d 5ind $erse&5 in deep tro*'&e. (0!
C)A+TER 0 , COURTNER9S FAT)ER
T$e 5o&&o7in4 in5or%"tion is 5ro% "n Apri& 22/ )i4$ Ti%es "rti#&e. (!
)"n8 )"rrison (Co*rtne( @o6e9s 5"t$er! 7"s %"rried @ind" C"rro&&3 '*t sep"r"ted
7$en t$eir d"*4$ter Co*rtne( 7"s on&( 5i6e (e"rs o&d. <I 7"s 7it$ (Co*rtne(! 5ro% t$e
d"( s$e 7"s 'orn *nti& t$e ti%e s$e 7"s si= eit$er e6er( 7ee8end or e6er( d"(3< $e
e=p&"ins 5ro% so%e7$ere in Nort$ern C"&i5orni". <T$en t$e( 7ent to Ore4on "nd s$e
7"s "dopted o*t 5ro% *nder %e. I didn9t $"6e "n( #ont"#t 7it$ $er *nti& s$e 7"s 5i5teen3
7$en I 4ot $er o*t o5 ;*6eni&e $"&& "nd s$e #"%e to &i6e 7it$ %e. I $"d #o%p&ete #*stod(
o5 $er *nti& s$e 7"s ei4$teen.<
<S$e pro5ited 5ro% AK*rt9sB de"t$ in " #onsider"'&e 7"(3< $e s"(s <I 8no7 5or "
5"#t t$"t $e 7"s tr(in4 to di6or#e $er "nd s$e didn9t 7"nt t$e di6or#e3 so s$e $"d $i%
8i&&ed or 8ne7 it 7"s 4oin4 to $"ppen. T$e ti%in4 7"s o5 t$e essen#e. T$ere is no do*'t
in %( %ind t$"t K*rt Co'"in 7"s %*rdered.< )"n83 7$o ne6er %et $is ro#8,st"r son,in,
&"7 "nd $"s (et to %eet $is 4r"ndd"*4$ter3 Fr"n#es Be"n3 8ne7 so%et$in4 7"s 7ron4
t$e %in*te $e $e"rd Co'"in 7"s de"d. <I s*spe#ted so%e 5o*& p&"(3 < $e s"(s.
)"n8 e6ent*"&&( 4ot in #ont"#t 7it$ To% >r"nt3 re&ie6ed t$"t $e 7"sn9t t$e on&(
one 7$o 7"s s*spi#io*s3 (et )"n8 7"s $orri'&( dis"ppointed to $e"r t$"t To% t$o*4$t
$is o7n d"*4$ter 7"s in6o&6ed. It too8 )"n8 "'o*t si= %ont$s o5 p$one #"&&s "nd t"&8s
"nd &etters to To%3 "nd #o%p&ete openness to $i%3 'e5ore To% 7o*&d e6en tr*st )"n8
s*55i#ient&( to spe"8 7it$ $i%. :$en To% 5o*nd o*t 7$o )"rrison 7"s3 $e 5i4*red it 7"s
so%e 8ind o5 s#"%. )e s"id3 9I 8no7 " &ot "'o*t (o*. )"n8.9 To% $"d 'een #$e#8in4 o*t
)"rrison9s p"st "nd #o*&dn9t 'e&ie6e Co*rtne(9s o7n 5"t$er 7o*&d 'e on $is side.
)"n8 s"(s3 <Co*rtne( $"s " d"r8 side3 " s*ppressed "nd repressed d"r8 side to
$er person"&it( t$"t is e=tr"ordin"ri&( 6io&ent. S$e tried to 8i&& %e t7i#e. S$e9s 'een
e=tr"ordin"ri&( 6io&ent 7it$ $er 5riends3 "nd 7"s 8i#8ed o*t o5 e6er( '"nd s$e9s 'een in
5or 6io&ent o*t'*rsts. It9s "&%ost &i8e s$e $"s %*&tip&e person"&ities. And one o5 t$ose
person"&ities is re"&&( e6i&,,re"&&(3 re"&&( d"r8 "nd sinister,,%ore so t$"n (o* #"n
i%"4ine.. And I didn9t %"8e $er t$"t 7"(.<
Co*rtne( @o6e 7"s 'orn on F*&( 2. 2/4 in S"n Fr"n#is#o "nd re*nited 7it$ $er
5"t$er in 202 7$en $e 4"ined #*stod( o5 $er. In 2103 t$e( %o6ed to Ire&"nd3 7$ere
)"n8 too8 " t7o,(e"r s"''"ti#"&. <S$e &i6ed 7it$ %e 5or 5i6e %ont$s *nti& t$e 7inter
sno7s %e&ted. As soon "s sprin4 #"%e "&on43 s$e 7ent to @i6erpoo&. S$e 7"s 'o(,
#r"G(. S$e 7"s '"&&in9 #"ts3 t*rnin9 tri#8s. S$e 7o*&d d"n#e "nd 4et %one( t$"t 7"( too.
E6er( ti%e I s"7 $er3 s$e $"d 'i4 '*#8s. S$e 7o*&d "&7"(s $"6e %one( "nd #&ot$es.<
)"n8 ret*rned to t$e B"( Are" in 2123 5o&&o7ed s$ort&( '( Co*rtne(. )e "nd $is
'*siness "sso#i"te Trion" :"tson 'o*4$t " Ii#tori"n $o*se in Men&o +"r83 so*t$ o5 t$e
#it(3 7$ere Co*rtne( 7o*&d 5reP*ent&( 6isit. <:e 7ere $er on&( st"'&e3 &o#"& B"( Are"
"ddress3< $e s"(s <S$e 7"s itiner"nt3 4oin4 5ro% #r"s$ p"d to #r"s$ p"d3 p*n8 s#ene to
p*n8 s#ene3 ;*n8ie p"d to ;*n8ie p"d. S$e 7"s &i6in4 in 9t$e I"ts9,,t$e "'"ndoned
)"%%9s 're7er(. +eop&e *sed to 4o do7n inside t$e 6"ts "nd 4et dr*n8 on t$e 5*%es.
S$e 7"s " 96"t r"t9 5or " 7$i&e.<
Co*rtne( de#or"ted $er roo% in t$e 100 Ii#tori"n 7it$ doGens o5 &it #"nd&es3
&"#e "nd '"'( do&&s "nd rep&"(ed %o6ies &i8e Fr"n#es Bird( "nd +rett( in +in8 <S$e
7"t#$ed t$e Fr"n#es F"r%er stor( t$irt(,t7o ti%es< )"n8 s"id. <It 7orried %e. I re"&iGed
"t t$"t point t$"t Co*rtne( 7"s deep&( tro*'&ed.< Co*rtne( 7o*&d "&so spend t$e
7ee8ends in S"n Fr"n#is#o. One ti%e s$e #"%e '"#8 <so sp"#ed o*t t$"t 7e $"d to sit
on $er "nd 4i6e $er I"&i*%.< s"(s $er 5"t$er3 7$o 7"s " 6eter"n o5 'rin4in4 peop&e do7n
5ro% '"d "#id trips. )is di"4nosis 7"s t$"t Co*rtne( 7"s on " $i4$&( d"n4ero*s %i=t*re
o5 '"t$t*' 5ent"n(&. <T$is 7"s re"&&( se6ere. S$e 7"s s#re"%in4 "t %e "nd re"&&(
5re"8in4 o*t. S$e 7"s ps(#$o.<
Co*rtne( in5i&tr"ted t$e p*n8,ro#8 s#ene "nd 7"s #"st in t7o A&e= Co= 5i&%s3 Sid
and ancy "nd Straight to 5ell. )"n8 &ost #ont"#t 7it$ $is o7n d"*4$ter in 210. T$e
5"&&in4 o*t $e 'e&ie6es. 7"s o6er $eroin. <S$e #"&&ed %e on $er 'irt$d"( "nd 7"nted
%one(. $e s"(s. <I s"id3 :$( don9t (o* 5&( *p $ereD I9&& 4et (o* " ti#8et. 7e9&& sit do7n "nd
$"6e " #$"t3 or I9&& 5&( do7n t$ere "nd 'rin4 (o* so%e %one(. S$e s"id s$e needed t$e
%one( 7ired to $er ri4$t "7"(. S$e 7"s str*n4 o*t. I to&d $er t$"t $eroin is not %( t$in4
"nd I don9t 7"nt to s*pport $er doin4 $eroin. S$e pro%ised t$"t s$e 7o*&d ne6er t"&8 to
%e "4"in "nd s$e 7o*&d $"6e %e 8i&&ed.<
D*rin4 t$e ne=t si= (e"rs s$e %et K*rt Co'"in. :it$ t$e %eteori# rise o5 Nir6"n"3
$er %"rri"4e3 "nd t$e 'irt$ o5 t$eir d"*4$ter3 )"n8 7"s o*t o5 t$e pi#t*re. Fin"&&( $e s"7
$er "4"in "t " S"n Fr"n#is#o #on#ert in t$e 5"&& o5 22-. )"rrison re#"&&s: <I #"&&ed 5irst to
%"8e s*re it 7"s OK. S$e 7"s $"pp( to see %e3 4"6e %e 'i4 $*4s. S$e s"id s$e didn9t
7"nt %e to t"&8 to "n('od(3 s$e ;*st 7"nted %e to sit t$ere3 s$*t *p "nd &isten to t$e
s$o7... T$e ne=t d"( I %et $er "t t$e $ote&. Co*rtne( 7"s,,"nd t$is I9% "'so&*te&( s*re o5
'e#"*se I s"7 it 7it$ %( o7n e(es,,$"6in4 "n "55"ir 7it$ E6"n D"ndo. )e "nd Co*rtne(
7ere s&eepin4 to4et$er in t$e s"%e 'ed. I 5i4*red K*rt %*st 'e prett( &i'er"&3 'e#"*se
s$e9s on t$e ro"d 7it$ E6"n D"ndo3 "nd s$e9s #onst"nt&( s%oo#$in4 "&& o6er $i%.. T$en
7$i&e 7e 7ere in t$e roo% s$e #"&&ed K*rt. S$e "s8ed to spe"8 to Mr. +o*pon. T$"t9s
$o7 I 5o*nd o*t 7$"t $is se#ret n"%e 7"s. I ne6er %et $i%3 '*t I 7"s in t$e roo% 7$en
s$e t"&8ed to $i% on t$e ot$er end o5 t$e &ine. T$"t 7"s t$e #&osest I e6er 4ot to K*rt.<
)"n8 ended t$is 6isit '( "s8in4 Co*rtne( i5 $e #o*&d <#o%e *p to Se"tt&e "nd see t$e
'"'( o6er C$nst%"s.< S$e 7rote do7n t7o "ddresses "nd p$one n*%'ers t$"t t*rned
o*t to 'e 'o4*s.
<I "% not tr(in4 to p*t %( d"*4$ter in ;"i&3< )"rrison e=p&"ins. <It9s ;*st t$"t I 5o*nd
%(se&5 #"*4$t *p in " 7e' o5 'iG"rre e6ents t$"t "55e#ts %( &i5e. It 7o*&d 'e 6er( %*#$
&i8e (o*r #$i&d #"%e $o%e 7it$ p&"ns 5or "n "to% 'o%' in $is 'rie5#"se "nd (o* 7"nted
to 8no7 7$ere t$e 5*#8 $e 4ot t$e%. M( d"*4$ter #"%e $o%e 7it$ " de"d $*s'"nd "nd
I 7"nt to 8no7 7$"t t$e 5*#8 $"ppenedJ< Did Co*rtne( @o6e #onspire to 8i&& K*rt Co'"inD
<A'so&*te&(.< #ontends $er ..,(e"r,o&d 5"t$er. <I t$in8 $e 7"s dr*44ed "nd 8i&&ed '(
peop&e t$"t Co*rtne( $"d no #ontro& o6er. T$e( %i4$t $"6e s"id. 9@oo8. 7e9re 4oin4 to
8i&& t$e 4*(,,(o* $"6e to 4o "&on4 7it$ it.9 Eit$er t$e( to&d Co*rtne( "'o*t it3 or Co*rtne(
8ne7 "'o*t it "nd 7"s in on it in so%e 7"( "nd 8ept $er %o*t$ s$*t. (!
K(Bein4 pre4n"nt! 7"s 7$"t 4"6e $er t$e se#*rit( s$e 7"nted 7it$ K*rt. S$e
8ne7 it 7o*&d on&( 'e " %"tter o5 ti%e 'e5ore K*rt &e5t $er3 so s$e needed so%et$in4 to
p*t " str"n4&e$o&d on $i%L. ()"n8 )"rrison3 -3 p4./4!.
T$e 5o&&o7in4 "rti#&e is "n interestin4 sidenote 7$i#$ see%s to #orro'or"te
)"rrison9s Stor( "'o*t Co*rtne( #$e"tin4 on K*rt 7it$ E6"n D"ndo :
In 2243 7it$in 7ee8s o5 Co'"in9s s*i#ide3 t$e +"r"di4% A4en#( pi#8ed *p t$e
5i&% ri4$ts to t$e ;*st,p*'&is$ed Co'"in 'io4r"p$(3 Ne6er F"de A7"(. S#reen7riter o5
Co&ors "nd B"d Bo(s3 Ri#$"rd Di@e&&o3 7"s "&re"d( on 'o"rdO E6"n D"ndo "nd Me4
R("n $"d 'ot$ reported&( 'een &ined *p to st"r. B*t e6en " tent"ti6e "ppro"#$ re4"rdin4
so*ndtr"#8 %"teri"& 7"s 5*rio*s&( repe&&ed '( Nir6"n"9s %"n"4e%ent #o%p"n(3 >o&d
Mo*nt"in. <T$e 7$o&e ide" o5 At$is %o6ieB is re"&&( *psettin43< spo8es7o%"n F"net Bi&&i4
"nno*n#ed. <I #"n9t 5ind " 7ord in t$e En4&is$ &"n4*"4e to e=press $o7 7e "&& 5ee& "'o*t
t$is... :e $"6e "d6ised o*r &"7(ers t$"t 7e 7o*&dn9t 7"nt t$is to $"ppen.< (-!
)"n8 )"rrison "&so prod*#ed " poe% 7ritten '( Co*rtne( 7$en s$e 7"s ;*st /
(e"rs o&d. T$e poe%3 "s seen in Broo%5ie&d9s do#*%ent"r(3 de%onstr"tes t$"t 5ro% "n
e"r&( "4e s$e 7"s "&re"d( disp&"(in4 stron4 ne4"ti6e3 #ontro&&in4 "nd 6io&ent tr"its.
FUTURE DATE:
I?&& &o6e (o* 5ore6er3
I?% 4onn" 'e (o*r 7i5e
I?% 4onn" 8eep (o* "ro*nd
For t$e rest o5 %( &i5e
I 5in"&&( 4ot "&& t$ese 5&ies o55 o5 %e3
And no7 I #"n see " 5*t*re d"te ri4$t o6er t$e $oriGon
A 5*t*re d"te ri4$t on t$e tip o5 (o*r ton4*e
I?&& destro( "n(one in %( 7"(3
I?&& 8i&& e6er(one3 e6er( &o*s( &"(.
?Cos I 4ot %( e(e on " 5*t*re d"te.
,+oe% '( Co*rtne( @o6e3 210.
)"n8 )"rrison %"de t$e 5o&&o7in4 #o%%ents on t$is poe%:
KIt didn?t %"8e sense to %e 7$en I re"d it (e"rs "4o. B*t "5ter K*rt died I re"d it "4"in
"nd o5ten 7ondered i5 s$e didn?t $"6e t$"t e=tr"ordin"r( sense o5 #o%%it%ent "nd
deter%in"tion ,t$"t not$in4 7"s 4oin4 to st"nd in $er 7"( *nder "n( #ir#*%st"n#es3 "nd
no'od( is e6er 4oin4 to p*t $er do7n3 "nd s$e 5e&t3 I 4*ess3 t$"t s$e $"d to $"6e t$"t
8ind o5 deter%in"tion to %"8e " s*##ess in t$e ro#8 7or&d or in t$e %o6ie ind*str(. B*t
p*ttin4 t$is in #onte=t 7it$ " n*%'er o5 ot$er e&e%ents (o* st"rt to see "n "&%ost
der"n4ed t$in8in4 pro#ess *nder&ine " &ot o5 t$is o'session t$"t s$e $"s. It?s "&%ost "
#o%p*&sion to s*##eed no %"tter 7$"t. T$e %e"ns ;*sti5( t$e endL.
In &"te 2/He"r&( 203 " <:$o Ki&&ed K*rt Co'"inD< &e#t*re to*r 7"s $e&d '( )"n8
)"rrison "nd C"n"di"n ;o*rn"&ists I"n )"&perin "nd M"= :"&&"#e. (.! T$e "*t$ors3 7$o
"&so 7or8ed "s #ons*&t"nts 5or t$e BBC on Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d9s #ontro6ersi"& independent
5i&% <K*rt "nd Co*rtne(<3 distr*sted t$e po&i#e #on#&*sion t$"t Co'"in9s de"t$ 7"s "
s*i#ide. )"&perin "nd :"&&"#e "re pro'"'&( t$e &e"st #ontro6ersi"&3 "nd t$e %ost &e6e&,
$e"ded "nd o';e#ti6e3 rese"r#$ers o5 t$e Co'"in %*rder t$eor(. T$eir 'oo8s $"6e "&so
re#ei6ed t$e %ost "ttention3 "nd t$e %ost $e"t3 5ro% @o6e "nd $er &"7(ers3 '*t t$e t7o
Montre"& ;o*rn"&ists $"6e "&7"(s stopped s$ort o5 "#t*"&&( "##*sin4 @o6e o5 "n(t$in4.
(.!
T$e 5irst %";or pro;e#t t$e p"ir #o&&"'or"ted on 7"s "n e=pose o5 &o7,&e6e&
#orr*ption 4oin4 on 7it$in t$e Con#ordi" Uni6ersit( "t$&eti#s dep"rt%ent. T$e series 7on
t$e% " Ro&&in4 Stone "7"rd in 21. 5or 'est in6esti4"ti6e reportin4 "t " *ni6ersit(
ne7sp"perO it "&so 4ot t$e% " de#"de o5 'ein4 dr"44ed t$ro*4$ t$e #o*rts '( t$e
"t$&eti#s dire#tor. T$e( e6ent*"&&( 7on t$e #"se3 '*t t$e e=perien#e $"rd&( ende"red
t$e% to ;o*rn"&is%. )"&perin %o6ed to En4&"nd to 'e#o%e " %*si#i"nO :"&&"#e %o6ed
to Ott"7" to %"n"4e " #o%%*nit( r"dio st"tion. (.!
)"&perin 5irst st*%'&ed on t$e stor( 7$en $e "nd $is '"nd 7ere p&"(in4 Se"tt&e in
t$e s*%%er o5 224. )e str*#8 *p "n "#P*"int"n#e 7it$ se6er"& o5 Co'"in9s 5riends. One
in p"rti#*&"r 7"s 6er( s*spi#io*s t$"t @o6e 7"s in6o&6ed. )"&perin #"&&ed $is o&d p"& M"=
:"&&"#e i%%edi"te&(. At t$e ti%e3 :"&&"#e 7"s %"n"4in4 Nort$ A%eri#"9s 5irst
"&tern"ti6e %*si# st"tion3< $e s"(s. In t$e s*%%er o5 22. t$e( spent ti%e in C"&i5orni"
"nd Se"tt&e doin4 rese"r#$ "nd '( ne=t sprin4 $"d " %"n*s#ript "nd 7$"t see%ed to 'e
" p*'&is$in4 de"&. T$e( "&so $"d @o6e9s &"7(ers "5ter t$e%. (.!
Co*rtne( "nd $er "ttorne(s 7ent t$ro*4$ so%e e=tr"ordin"r( &en4t$s to pre6ent
t$e 'oo8 5ro% 'ein4 7ritten. On M"( 203 22/3 )"&perin ret*rned to $is Montre"&
"p"rt%ent to 5ind F"#8 +"&&"dino3 " $e"6(7ei4$t C"&i5orni" &"7(er,in6esti4"tor3 7"itin4 in
$is "p"rt%ent9s #o*rt("rd3 s%o8in4 "nd 7e"rin4 s$"des. Un"nno*n#ed3 +"&&"dino $"d
5&o7n "#ross t$e #ontinent. (.! <I 7"s 5ri4$tened3< )"&perin re%e%'ers. <I "s8ed $i%
7$"t $e 7"s doin4 "nd $e $"nded %e $is '*siness #"rd.< <9M( n"%e9s F"#8 +"&&"dino. I
7or8 5or Co*rtne( @o6e. I 7"nt to t"8e (o* to dinner.9< +"&&"dino is t$e S"n Fr"n#is#o
&"7(er,pri6"te e(e 7$o is #*rrent&( d*#8in4 " s*'poen" 5ro% t$e +"*&" Fones &"7(ers in
$er se=*"& $"r"ss%ent s*it "4"inst Bi&& C&inton. )e 7"s $ired '( t$e De%o#r"ts in 222
to di4 *p dirt on Fenni5er F&o7ers "nd 2/ ot$er 7o%en "&&e4ed&( #onne#ted to C&inton. In
" re#ent pie#e in T$e Ne7 Ror8er3 " Uni6ersit( o5 Iir4ini" po&iti#"& s#ientist des#ri'ed
+"&&"dino9s 7or8 on t$e C&inton 5i&e "s <" 6er( "44ressi6e #"%p"i4n to s*ppress
in5or%"tion.< (2!
)"&perin $"d " 4ood opport*nit( to o'ser6e +"&&"dino9s U3.00,",d"( %et$ods *p
#&ose. )e #o*&dn9t re"#$ $is o7n &"7(er on t$"t S*nd"(3 '*t de#ided $e $"d not$in4 to
&ose '( t"8in4 +"&&"dino *p on $is o55er o5 dinner. For t$e ne=t si= $o*rs t$e( d"n#ed
"ro*nd t$e topi# o5 t$e 7riter9s in6esti4"tion o5 Co'"in9s de"t$. )"&perin s"(s +"&&"dino
$inted $e #o*&d s%oot$ )"&perin9s ro*te to " re#ordin4 #ontr"#t. <)e 7"nted *s to '"#8
o553< )"&perin s"(s. <)e 7"nted t$e %"n*s#ript . . . )e9s " pro3 $e 8no7s $o7 to ende"r
$i%se&5.< (2! A5ter t$"t %eetin43 )"&perin s"(s +"&&"dino 8ept in to*#$ t$ro*4$ re4*&"r
p$one %ess"4es3 d*rin4 7$i#$ +"&&"dino "&tern"te&( '"d4ered "nd 7ooed $i%3 tr(in4 to
4et " #op( o5 t$e %"n*s#ript. <)e9s to&d %e t7i#e no73 9I 8no7 (o*9re " %*si#i"n "nd I
8no7 e6er(one in t$e %*si# ind*str(. I #o*&d 4et (o* " re#ord de"&3 no pro'&e%.9 )e9s
e6en s"id3 <A ni#e Fe7is$ 'o( &i8e (o* s$o*&dn9t 'e doin4 t$is3< "nd $e e6en st"rts
spe"8in4 Riddis$ to %e.< (+"&&"dino did not ret*rn repe"ted #"&&s 5ro% S$i5t M"4"Gine to
dis#*ss $is side o5 t$e stor(.! (.!
+"&&"dino popped *p "4"in on No6e%'er 23 t$is ti%e "t Toronto9s Oper" )o*se3
t$e se#ond stop o5 t$e <:$o Ki&&ed K*rt Co'"inD< to*r. It 7"sn9t *nti& t$e d"( o5 t$e s$o7
t$"t $o*se %"n"4er EnGo +etr*n4"ro re"&iGed $e $"d 'oo8ed $i%se&5 into " 5ire,stor%.
EnGo s"id $e re#ei6ed p$one #"&&s 5ro% MCA C"n"d"3 t$e C"n"di"n distri'*tor 5or
@o6e9s >e55en &"'e&3 press*rin4 $i% to #"n#e&. <T$ere 7"s no dire#t t$re"t Ao5 5reeGin4
t$e Oper" )o*se o*t o5 MCA "#tsB '*t I 4ot t$e %ess"4e t$"t 7"(3< $e s"(s. MCA
C"n"d" $e"d Ross Re(no&ds denies $e %"de "n( #"&&s3 "nd doesn9t 8no7 o5 "n(one
e&se "t MCA 7$o did. (.!
T$en #"%e #"&&s 5ro% +"&&"dino3 +etr*n4"ro s"(s3 "s 7e&& "s 5ro% so%eone
#&"i%in4 to 'e Co*rtne( @o6e3 7$i#$ +etr*n4"ro %issed. <I ne6er spo8e to $er... I ;*st
7"sn9t in t$e o55i#e3< $e s"(s. )e did3 $o7e6er3 te&& +"&&"dino t$"t $e 7o*&d 4&"d&( #"n#e&
t$e s$o7 i5 so%eone pi#8ed *p p"rt o5 t$e #ost. +"&&"dino re5*sed3 '*t 5&e7 in on t$e ne=t
p&"ne to t"8e *p +etr*n4"ro9s o55er to 4i6e @o6e9s side o5 t$e stor(. T$e res*&tin4 de'"te
"t t$e s$o7 %i4$t $"6e 'een " %ist"8e 5or +"&&"dino,,<>et o55 t$e st"4e3 5*#8$e"d< 7"s
" pop*&"r #$"nt. B*t +"&&"dino9s trip 7"sn9t " #o%p&ete 7"ste. )e too8 t$e opport*nit( to
t"&8 7it$ Ii#tor S$i55%"n3 7$o 7"s pro%otin4 t$e e6ent. S$i55%"n s"(s +"&&"dino stron4&(
dis#o*r"4ed $i% 5ro% st"(in4 in6o&6ed 7it$ t$e to*r. <)e s"id... t$"t I s$o*&d '"#8 o553<
re#"&&s S$i55%"n. <T$"t s#"red %e3 to 'e $onest.< (.!
T$e ne=t ni4$t3 it 7"s Rose%"r( C"rro&&3 @o6e9s %"in &"7(er3 7$o s$o7ed *p "t
t$e 6en*e in @ondon3 Ont.3 "##ordin4 to )"&perin. <:e #on5ronted $er "nd s$e 5re"8ed3<
$e s"(s. <S$e 7ent r*nnin4 do7n t$e #orridor.< A&& t$e press*re 7"s eno*4$ to #on6in#e
S$i55%"n to #"n#e& t$e Montre"& s$o7 "nd $o&d t$e press #on5eren#e inste"d. +"&&"dino
didn9t s$o7 *p in @ondon or Montre"&3 "&t$o*4$ )"&perin s"(s t$"t 7$i&e in Toronto t$e
in6esti4"tor $"d pro%ised to 5o&&o7 t$e to*r 7$ere6er it 7ent. (.!
Montre"& 7"s t$e &"st stop in " 5o*r,#it( to*r t$"t in#&*ded Ont"rio9s )"%i&ton3
@ondon "nd Toronto. T$e Toronto en4"4e%ent 7"s "ttended '( ro*4$&( 200 peop&e
7$o p"id U2..0 to 'e t$ere. F"#8 +"&&"dino3 " S"n Fr"n#is#o &"7(er ret"ined '( @o6e3
interr*pted )"rrison "nd "*t$ors )"&perin "nd :"&&"#e. )"&perin to&d t$e Montre"&
"*dien#e o5 "'o*t 103 <I96e 'een $"r"ssed3 I96e 'een 5o&&o7ed ,, I9% not '"#8in4 o55 t$is.
T$is stor( 4oes 5*rt$er.< )e to&d Ro&&in4stone.#o% t$"t +"&&"dino $o*nded $i% 5or
%ont$s "nd t$e @o6e #"%p $"d e6en 4one "s 5"r "s to t"8e o*t "ds "nd %"8e p$one
#"&&s to 6"rio*s 'oo8 p*'&is$ers 7"rnin4 t$e% o55 printin4 t$eir %"n*s#ript "s 7e&& "s "
si%i&"r 'oo8 7ritten '( )"n8 )"rrison #"&&ed <K*rt Co'"in: Be(ond Nir6"n".< (/!
)"&perin s"id t$e p*'&is$ers 7ere <not #on#erned 7it$ t$e &e4"&ities o5 o*r 'oo83<
s"(s )"&perin3 7$o #ontends t$"t " &"7(er $"s "&re"d( #&e"red t$eir %"n*s#ript.
<T$e(9re #on#erned 7it$ $"6in4 to in#*r t$e &e4"& #osts o5 "n( "#tion t"8en "4"inst
t$e%.< )e "dded t$"t $is "nd :"&&"#e9s 'oo8 doesn9t "##*se @o6e o5 "n(t$in43 it ;*st
s*44ests t$e #"se s$o*&d 'e re,opened. )o&e9s %"n"4er Bri"n Ce&&er re5*sed to
#o%%ent on t$e pro#eedin4s "nd 7o*&d neit$er #on5ir% nor den( @o6e 7"s tr(in4 to
stop t$e 'oo8 5ro% 'ein4 p*'&is$ed or t$"t t$e( 7ere tr(in4 to stop t$e series3 7$i#$
)"&perin s"(s 7i&& #ontin*e in t$e St"tes ne=t (e"r. (/!
Co*rtne( $"d re"&&( p*t on t$e press*re: Toronto,'"sed pro%oter Ii#tor S$i55%"n
7"s sent " &etter 5ro% t$e Ne7 Ror8 &"7 5ir% >end&er3 Codi8o7 "nd C"rro&& t$re"tenin4
&e4"& "#tion i5 t$e to*r #ontin*ed. Si%i&"r &etters 7ere sent to t$e 6en*es in#&*din4 one
"ddressed to t$e Oper" )o*se in Toronto t$"t s"id3 in p"rt: <:e "re s$o#8ed t$"t (o*
"re pro6idin4 )"&perin3 :"&&"#e "nd t$e 4rotesP*e&( p"t$eti# )"r8 )"rrison 7it$ " 5or*%
5or t$eir 6i#io*s "nd de5"%"tor( "##*s"tions. An( person or entit( 7$i#$ p*'&is$es or
rep*'&is$es de5"%"tion 7it$ 8no7&ed4e o5 its 5"&sit( is &i"'&e 5or t$e d"%"4es #"*sed
7$et$er or not t$"t person or entit( endorses t$e 5"&se$ood.< +ro%oter S$i55%"n
#on5ir%ed to t$e C"n"di"n +ress 7ire ser6i#e $e 7"sn9t &e4"&&( ordered to stop '*t $e
to&d t$e ser6i#e <t$e press*re 7"s too %*#$< "nd $e de#ided to p*&& t$e p&*4 on t$e
%*&ti%edi" s$o7 "t t$e &"st %in*te. Inste"d3 t$e t$ree presenters $e&d "n i%pro%pt*
press #on5eren#e 7$ere t$e( &"id o*t t$eir #"se 5or 5ree. T$e( "&so presented 6ideo
t"ped inter6ie7s o5 #oroner Dr. Ni8o&"s )"rts$orne "d%ittin4 $e "nd @o6e 7ere 5riends.
(.H/!
T$e 5"t$er o5 )o&e '"ssist Me&iss" A*5 der M"*r 7"s p$(si#"&&( e;e#ted 5ro% t$e
present"tion in Montre"&3 C"n"d". Ni#8 A*5 der M"*r "tte%pted to p*'&i#&( #onde%n t$e
e6ent "nd its t$ree presenters. A*5 der M"*r3 " 7e&& 8no7n Montre"& #o&*%nist "nd #it(
#o*nse&&or3 "&on4 7it$ 5or%er Montre"& >"Gette %*si# #riti# F*"n Rodri4*eG 7"&8ed on
st"4e "t t$e press #on5eren#e "nno*n#in4 t$e #"n#e&&"tion o5 t$e %"in e6ent d*e to &e4"&
press*re 5ro% @o6e "nd 'e4"n 'er"tin4 " s%i&in4 )"rrison 5or $is %"n( p"rent"& &"pses3
"s 7e&& "s #o,presenters I"n )"&perin "nd M"= :"&&"#e. )e t$en st"rted to sin4 @o6e9s
pr"ises. <S$e9s " 7onder5*& 4ir&3< $e s"(s. Be5ore A*5 der M"*r #o*&d $it $is stride3 'ot$
$e "nd Rodri4*eG 7ere dr"44ed 5ro% t$e st"4e "nd d*%ped o*t t$e '"#8 door o5 t$e
$"&& '( " p"ir o5 'o*n#ers. (.H/!
:$en )"&perin ret*rned $o%e 5ro% t$e to*r3 t$in4s t*rned 7orse sti&&: $is
"p"rt%ent $"d 'een 'ro8en into. Not$in4 7"s t"8en '*t it $"d 'een t$oro*4$&(
r"ns"#8ed. In so%e respe#ts3 it9s odd t$"t )"&perin "nd :"&&"#e $"6e dr"7n t$e 'r*nt o5
@o6e9s &e4"& t$*nder. T$eir 'oo8 is 5"ir&( %i&d #o%p"red to ot$er internet sites #o6erin4
t$e in6esti4"tion. (.!
C)A+TER , E@DON )OKE
T$e Apri& 92/ edition o5 5igh Times "&so 5e"t*red "n inter6ie7 7it$ E&don )o8e3
"&so 8no7n "s KE& D*#eL. )e 7"s t$e sin4er 5or " notorio*s '"nd #"&&ed t$e Mentors.
T$e( $"d p&"(ed t$eir de'*t 4i4 in Se"tt&e3 201. (0! In +OI?s M"r#$ 220 edition3
)"n8 )"rrison see%ed to 'e on 5riend&( ter%s 7it$ E& D*#e.
Co*rtne( @o6e %et E&don in t$e &"te Q10s t$ro*4$ )o&e?s ori4in"& dr*%%er3
C"ro&(n R*e (7$o 7"s 4oin4 o*t 7it$ t$e Mentors 4*it"rist!. A##ordin4 to E&don3
Co*rtne( s$o7ed *p "t t$e Ro#8 S$op3 " )o&&(7ood re#ord store "t /44 :i&#o= A6e.3 "
5e7 d"(s 'e5ore Ne7 Re"rs e6e in 22- "t "ppro=i%"te&( 1:-0 +M. As $e 7"ited 5or "
5riend3 Co*rtne(9s &i%o*sine p*&&ed *p in 5ront o5 t$e store "nd Co*rtne( "&&e4ed&( %"de
$i% "n o55er $e #o*&dn?t re5*se. (! T$e #on6ers"tion 7ent so%et$in4 &i8e t$is:
C.@. , El1 I really need a %ig !avor o! you. My old man/s %een a real asshole lately. I need
you to %low his !uc*ing head o!!.
E.). , Are you serious+
C.@. , ;eah1 I/ll give you !i!ty thousand dollars to %low his !uc*ing head o!!.
E.). , I/m serious i! you are. (E& D*#e 7"sn?t re"&&( s*re s$e 7"s serio*s!
C.@. , $here can I reach you+
E.). , ;ou can reach me here.
At t$e ti%e E&don didn?t $"6e " p$one3 '*t $e re#ei6ed $is %ess"4es "t t$e Ro#8
S$op. T$e( 7ent into t$e store3 "nd $e $"nded $er " '*siness #"rd. T$e %"n"4er o5 t$e
s$op3 K"r*s$ Seped;i"n re%e%'ered t$e 6isit "nd s"id3 <E& 7"s 8i#8in4 it o*t on t$e
'en#$ in 5ront o5 t$e store "nd s$e #"%e *p. I o6er$e"rd $er s"(in43 9C"n (o* $"nd&e
doin4 t$isD C"n (o* 4et t$is doneD :$"t do (o* 7"nt 5or itD9 T$e( 7ere t"&8in4 "'o*t
8no#8in4 o55 K*rt Co'"in. T$en E& 'ro*4$t $er inside "nd s"id to %e P*iet&(3 <S$e o55ered
%e U.03000<. @o6e t$en too8 " '*siness #"rd "nd &e5t. E&don &"ter t$eoriGed. KS$e $"d to
$"6e $i% 7$"#8ed ri4$t "7"( so s$e #o*&d 4et t$e %one(.L (! Co'"in3 s$e e=p&"ined
to $i%3 7"s 5ed *p 7it$ $er $"n4in4 "ro*nd 7it$ ot$er 4*(s3 "nd 7"s 4oin4 to di6or#e
$er. B*t $e 7"s 7ort$ %i&&ions3 "nd @o6e 7"s deter%ined t$"t s$e 7"s 4oin4 to 8eep t$e
%one(. E&don "d%itted $e 7"s te%pted '( $er o55er: <I9% not " 7e"&t$( %"n3 "nd
U.03000 is " &ot o5 %one(.< (-!
Seped;i"n t$en 7ent on to s"( t$"t in M"r#$ 224 @o6e #ont"#ted t$e s$op
"s8in4 5or E& D*#e3 7$o "t t$e ti%e 7"s on to*r. Co*rtne( 7"s s#re"%in4: <T$"t son o5 "
'it#$3 7e %"de "n "4ree%ent. :$"t "% I 4oin4 to doD< Seped;i"n rep&ied: <I don9t 8no73
I96e 4ot " '*siness to r*n. >ood'(e.< Ten d"(s &"ter K*rt9s 'od( 7"s 5o*nd. T$is 7o*&d
i%p&( t$"t s$e spo8e to Seped;i"n "ro*nd M"r#$ -0t$ 2243 t$e 6er( s"%e ti%e s$e 7"s
in C"&i5orni"J Co*&d t$is 'e t$e <'*siness< s$e to&d C"rro&& "nd >r"nt t$"t s$e $"d to
"ttend to3 r"t$er t$"n 4oin4 '"#8 to Se"tt&e to &oo8 5or K*rtD Seped;i"n 7ent on to s"(: <I
7"s &i8e :$o"J I 7onder i5 s$e "#t*"&&( did p"( so%e s*#8er to '&o7 o55 $is $e"d<D E&
D*#e s"idO <M"('e s$e 4ot so%e'od( e&se. I t$in8 K*rt 7"s 4ettin4 re"d( to di6or#e $er
5or "d*&ter( #$"r4es. S$e $"d to $"6e $i% 7$"#8ed ri4$t "7"( so s$e #o*&d 4et t$e
%one(.< (!
Seped;i"n des#ri'ed Co*rtne( "s s#re"%in43 7$en s$e #"&&ed T$e Ro#8 S$op to
spe"8 to E&don. (-! <S$e 7"s 5r"nti#3< $e s"id. T$is is si%i&"r to t$e 7"( Foe M"%"
des#ri'ed $er 7$en $e s"7 Co*rtne( on Apri& st 2243 "5ter K*rt &e5t3 "She was really
!rea*ed out1 so we drove around loo*ing !or him at all the places he might have gone.
She was really scared !rom the %eginning. I guess she could tell." (43 p4.1-! :"s s$e
s#"red "nd 5re"8ed 'e#"*se o5 $er #on#ern 5or K*rtD Or 7"s s$e in t$is st"te 'e#"*se
$er p&"ns 7ere in i%%inent d"n4er o5 #o&&"psin4D I5 "s K*rt 7"s A:O@3 s$e $"d no
#ontro& o6er $i%. )e #o*&d si4n $is ne7 7i&& "nd 5i&e 5or di6or#e on t$e 4ro*nds o5
"d*&ter(. (0!
:$en To% >r"nt 5irst $e"rd E&don )o8e?s stor( in 22.3 $e 7"s e=tre%e&(
#"*tio*s "'o*t $o7 $e 7o*&d $"nd&e t$e in5or%"tion. )e $"d to 'e #"re5*& "'o*t 'ein4
s*#8ed into so%e s#"%3 on&( to 'e to&d &"ter t$"t E&don %"de t$e 7$o&e t$in4 *p. (3
p4.1/! At t$e ti%e )o8e?s stor( 7"s re6e"&ed to3 To% "d6ised $is in5or%"nt3 ("n "&&e4ed
"#P*"int"n#e o5 )o8e?s!3 to $"6e )o8e report t$e in#ident to t$e po&i#e. )e didn?t 7"nt to
'e #onne#ted to )o8e *nti& t$e 5"#ts 7ere sorted o*t. (3 p4.10!
On :ednesd"(3 M"r#$ /3 22/1 NBC?s )ARD CO+R $ired "n e="%iner to do "
po&(4r"p$ (&ie dete#tor! e="%in"tion on E&don. To% $"d no inp*t in t$e de#ision "'o*t
7$o 7o*&d 'e *sed 5or t$e e="%in"tion. As it t*rned o*t3 t$e( $ired t$e 6er( 'est: Dr.
Ed7"rd >e&' , t$e po&(4r"p$ e="%iner *sed '( O.F. Si%pson?s de5ense te"% to
"d%inister " se#ret po&(4r"p$ to O.F. As (o* %"( $"6e $e"rd3 Si%pson !ailed t$e
po&(4r"p$ #ond*#ted '( Dr. >e&'. )e is one o5 t$e 5e7 e=perts 7$ose testi%on( is
"##epted '( t$e @os An4e&es +o&i#e Co%%ission. )e is present&( #ond*#tin4
e="%in"tions 5or "t &e"st 00 de5ense "ttorne(s "s 7e&& "s Distri#t Attorne(?s o55i#es "nd
po&i#e "4en#ies. It "ppe"rs >e&'?s #redi'i&it( "nd inte4rit( 7"s not 5or s"&e. (3 p4.10,11!
To t$e P*estion "Did (ourtney &ove as* you to *ill Kurt (o%ain+" E&don9s positi6e
response s$o7ed " 22.2Y #ert"int( t$"t $e 7"s te&&in4 t$e tr*t$3 7$i#$ 5"&&s into t$e
#"te4or( <'e(ond possi'i&it( o5 de#eption<. )e "&so s#ored t$e s"%e 7$en t$e P*estion
7"s repe"ted: 7$en "s8ed3 "$ere you o!!ered F>@1@@@ %y (ourtney &ove to *ill Kurt
(o%ain+" E&don s#ored 22.14Y (3 p4.10H0!. T$e possi'i&it( o5 de#eption 7"s .0Y. It
doesn?t 4et "n( 'etter t$"n t$"tJ To% %et 7it$ Dr. >e&' s$ort&( "5ter t$e e="%. KIs t$ere
"n( 7"( $e #o*&d $"6e pr"#ti#ed to p"ss3 ps(#$ed $i%se&5 *p3 or so%e$o7 5oo&ed t$e
%"#$ineDL $e "s8ed >e&'. KNot t$is 4*(JL t$e do#tor responded #on5ident&(. (3 p4.10!
E&don )o8e9s stor( %"de sense "nd E&don #ert"in&( 'e&ie6ed $i%se&5. Sin#e t$e
"&&e4ed Ko55erL o##*rred in @os An4e&es3 @A+D $o%i#ide dete#ti6es 7ere noti5ied. (0!
So%eone (re5erred to 5ro% $ereon "s KXL!3 #ont"#ted t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent on
M"r#$ 0 22/ "nd spo8e to O55i#er Mi8e Cies(ns8i 7$o re#orded t$e #on6ers"tion. T$e
res*&t o5 t$e po&(4r"p$ test "nd s*'seP*ent Cies(ns8i po&i#e report &oo8ed pro%isin43 it
7"s eno*4$ to 4et Se"tt&e )o%i#ide Dete#ti6e S4t C"%eron to send " %e%o to
@ie*ten"nt A& >erdes d"ted M"r#$ 0t$ 22/ st"tin4 t$"t t$e( 7o*&d $"6e to &oo8 into t$e
%"tter 5*rt$er "nd t$"t >erdes 7"s to %"8e $i%se&5 5"%i&i"r 7it$ "&& "spe#ts o5 t$is
in6esti4"tion. Un5ort*n"te&( t$e S"ntin" @e*#iH)"rd Cop( de6e&opin4 stor( r"pid&(
de4ener"ted into " #ir#*s:
S*nd"( M"r#$ 0 22/:
C"%eron sent "not$er %e%o to Dete#ti6e Kir8&"nd "d6isin4 $i% to in5or% KXL
t$"t3 "s t$e #onspir"#( ori4in"ted in @A "nd in6o&6ed @A residents3 t$"t $e s$o*&d 5i&e "
report 7it$ t$e @A+D. On#e KXL $"d #o%p&eted t$"t3 $e 7"s to pro6ide t$e S+D 7it$ t$e
res*&tin4 #"se n*%'er "nd n"%e o5 t$e dete#ti6e de"&in4 7it$ t$e #$"r4es in @A3 "&on4
7it$ s*pportin4 #opies o5 "n( st"te%ents "nd " #op( o5 t$e po&(4r"p$ test res*&ts.
Mond"( M"r#$ 22/ "t 02...:
Kir8&"nd in5or%ed KXL t$"t $e s$o*&d #ont"#t t$e @A+D. Kir8&"nd "&so reP*ested
t$"t KXL s*pp&( #opies o5 t$e po&(4r"p$ res*&t #$"rts "nd st"te%ents. (+o&i#e report!.
T*esd"( M"r#$ 2 22/ "t 0.00:
Dete#ti6e Kir8&"nd re#ei6ed " #op( o5 "n "rti#&e 7$i#$ "ppe"red in t$e Ed%onton
Fo*rn"& o5 t$"t d"te (M"r#$ 2 22/!3 7ritten '( M"r8 @ep"4e. T$e "rti#&e reported on "
5ort$#o%in4 'oo8 '( M"= :"&&"#e "nd I"n )"&perin. In t$e "rti#&e3 I"n )"&perin spo8e
"'o*t E& D*#e?s #&"i%s t$"t Co*rtne( $"d o55ered $i% U.03000 to %*rder K*rt. )"&perin
"&so s"id t$"t E& D*#e $"d p"ssed " po&(4r"p$ test. )"&perin #&"i%ed t$"t so*r#es in t$e
Se"tt&e po&i#e $"d indi#"ted t$e( 7ere 4oin4 to reopen t$e #"se "nd 5i&e #$"r4es o5
%*rder,#onspir"#( "4"inst so%eone 7it$in " 7ee8.
M"r#$ 2t$ 22/ (#ontin*ed! "t -.20:
Dete#ti6e Kir8&"nd re#ei6ed " p$one #"&& 5ro% S"ntin" @e*#i o5 t$e )"rd Cop(
s$o73 "s8in4 P*estions "'o*t K*rt. :$en Kir8&"nd in5or%ed $er t$"t $e $"d ;*st re"d "
#op( o5 t$e Ed%onton Fo*rn"& "rti#&e3 @e*#i 'e#"%e 6er( ir"te "nd in5or%ed Kir8&"nd
t$"t )"rd Cop(3 7$o $"d s#$ed*&ed to r*n " se4%ent on K*rt #o*&d no7 not r*n it. S$e
pro6ided Kir8&"nd 7it$ p$one n*%'ers 5or Dr >e&'3 Ste6e B&oo% o5 )i4$ Ti%es (7$o $"d
;*st #o,7ritten t$e "rti#&e on K*rt?s de"t$ 7it$ Ti% Kenne"&&(!3 "nd M"= :"&&"#e. @e*#i
t$en to&d Kir8&"nd s$e?d send $i% " #op( o5 t$e )i4$ Ti%es "rti#&e. (See s#"n o5 t$is
po&i#e report "t t$e end o5 t$is se#tion!.
It &oo8s &i8e :"&&"#e "nd )"&perin too8 )"rd Cop(?s de6e&opin4 stor( 5or t$e
p*rpose o5 p*'&i#isin4 t$eir K5ort$#o%in4L 'oo83 7$i#$ 7"sn?t p*'&is$ed *nti& "&%ost t7o
(e"rs &"ter3 in 221. M"('e t$"t?s 7$( @e*#i 7"s ir"te.
On :ednesd"( M"r#$ -t$ 22/ "t 0.-.:
Dete#ti6e Kir8&"nd re#ei6ed " p$one #"&& 5ro% M"= :"&&"#e3 7$o "s8ed i5
Kir8&"nd $"d re5erred KXL to t$e @A+D. Kir8&"nd #on5ir%ed t$is. :$en Kir8&"nd
P*estioned :"&&"#e "'o*t )"&perin?s #&"i%s t$"t s"id $e $"d so*r#es in t$e S+D3 in t$e
Ed%onton Fo*rn"& d"ted M"r#$ 2 22/3 :"&&"#e rep&ied t$"t )"&perin $"d 'een
%isP*oted. (+o&i#e report!.
M"r#$ - 22/ (#ontin*ed! "t 2..:
M"r8 @ep"4e3 "*t$or o5 t$e Ed%onton Fo*rn"& "rti#&e d"ted M"r#$ 2 22/3
#"&&ed Kir8&"nd "nd "s8ed 7$( Kir8&"nd 7o*&d re5er KXL to t$e @A+D. Kir8&"nd in5or%ed
@ep"4e t$"t i5 " #ri%e $"d 'een #o%%itted in @os An4e&es3 t$en it 7"sn?t in t$e
;*risdi#tion o5 t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e "nd t$"t #$"r4es 7o*&d $"6e to 'e 5i&ed in @A. @ep"4e
t$en #on5ir%ed to Kir8&"nd t$"t I"n )"&perin #&"i%ed $e $"d so*r#es in t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e
Dep"rt%ent. (+o&i#e report!.
M"r#$ - 22/ (#ontin*ed! "t 4.2.:
I"n )"&perin #"&&ed Kir8&"nd de%"ndin4 to 8no7 7$( Kir8&"nd $"d re5erred KXL to
t$e @A+D. A##ordin4 to Kir8&"nd3 )"&perin 7"s "r4*%ent"ti6e o6er t$is %"tter. (+o&i#e
report!.
T$*rsd"( M"r#$ 4 22/ 01.00:
D?Ar#( B*t&er o5 CBC / Montre"& #"&&ed Kir8&"nd "s8in4 $i% to #on5ir% t$e
in5or%"tion in @ep"4e?s se#ond "rti#&e (on : E )?s 'oo83 d"ted M"r#$ 4 22/!3 t$"t
Kir8&"nd $"d to&d @ep"4e t$"t t$e S+D 7ere not reopenin4 t$e Co'"in #"se. Kir8&"nd
#on5ir%ed t$"t "nd reP*ested B*t&er FAX $i% " #op( o5 t$e "rti#&e3 to 7$i#$ B*t&er
"4reed. (+o&i#e report!.
T$*rsd"( M"r#$ 4 22/ (#ontin*ed! "t 0...:
In#&*ded "%on4st t$e S+D reports o't"ined is t$e "'o6e %entioned Ed%onton
Fo*rn"& "rti#&e3 7$i#$ 7"s 5"=ed to t$e S+D "t 0... T$is "rti#&e3 '( M"r8 @ep"4e3
reported on t$e #on6ers"tion $e $"d 7it$ Dete#ti6e Kir8&"nd on M"r#$ - "s 5o&&o7s:
,?ur investigation showed that it was a sel!2in!licted death. $e don/t have any
plans to arrest or charge anyone.7 5e also called a report that Seattle police are
preparing to !ile murder2conspiracy charges against someone as ,a %ald !aced lie.7
;esterday1 5alperin said that on Monday he was emphasi3ing that he had a secret
source in the Seattle police1 that the in!ormation was gar%led in the telling1 %ut that
charges are !orth2coming1 may%e !rom the F6I may%e !rom a -oint Seattle2&A"D e!!ort.
In any event1 the scene has shi!ted to &os Angeles1 where 5alperin said a man called Il
Duce is going to %e contacting police to tell them (ourtney &ove o!!ered him F>@1@@@ to
*ill her hus%and.
Kir*land o! the Seattle police says ,As you well *now1 i! (ourtney &ove o!!ered
F>@1@@@ to some%ody in &os Angeles to *ill some%ody1 then that is a crime which too*
place in &os Angeles and the Seattle "olice Department has no -urisdiction there.7 In
$allace V 5alperin/s second %oo* on the su%-ect1 pu%lished in A@@G1 the a%ove timeline
o! events !ollowing El Duce/s polygraph test1 was reported asJ
The results o! 5o*e/s polygraph e<am were too compelling to ignore. ?n March
M D==M one o! 5o*e/s !riends too* it upon himsel! to call the Seattle "olice Department
and report the test/s !indings. For once1 it seems1 the S"D paid attention. $e received a
call a !ew days later !rom a source in the Seattle "olice Department telling us that the
(o%ain case had %een reopened !or the !irst time in two years. 5o*e/s claim had caused
a ,!lurry o! activity17 our source said1 adding that i! the story could %e proven1 it might %e
enough to have (ourtney charged with conspiracy to commit murder 2 the usual charge
!or attempting to hire a hitman. (uriously enough1 Sergeant (ameron denied the (o%ain
case had %een reopened when a reporter as*ed him a%out it the same wee*.. (p"4e
2.4!.
As #"n 'e seen 5ro% #ross,re5eren#in4 7it$ t$e "'o6e "rti#&es "nd po&i#e reports3
it is o'6io*s t$"t it 7"sn?t C"%eron 7$o denied t$e #"se 7"s 4oin4 to 'e reopened3 it
7"s Kir8&"nd. In t$e "'o6e Ed%onton Fo*rn"& "rti#&e d"ted M"r#$ 2 22/3 )"&perin 7"s
#&"i%in4 t$"t so*r#es in t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent: Kindi#"ted t$e( 7i&& reopen t$e
#"se "nd 5i&e %*rder,#onspir"#( #$"r4es "4"inst so%eone 7it$in " 7ee8.L Str"n4e "
Se"tt&e #op s"id t$"t3 4i6en t$e iss*e o5 ;*risdi#tion. In C"%eron?s %e%o to Kir8&"nd o5
M"r#$ 03 C"%eron 7"s 6er( spe#i5i# in reP*estin4 t$"t Kir8&"nd "d6ise KXL to 4o to t$e
@A+D "nd reP*est KXL to s*pp&( t$e S+D 7it$ s*'seP*ent #"se n*%'er "nd t$e n"%e o5
t$e @os An4e&es dete#ti6e 7$o 7"s de"&in4 7it$ t$e #"se3 "&on4 7it$ " #op( o5 t$e
po&(4r"p$ #$"rt "nd "n( s*pportin4 st"te%entsKXL #o*&d pro6ide.
It see%s t$"t E& D*#e?s po&(4r"p$ test "nd )"rd Cop(?s de6e&op%ent o5 t$is stor(
7"s in 6"in 'e#"*se "5ter t$e "'o6e 5i"s#o t$e S+D "nd @A+D see%ed to &ose interest
in it. @e*#i?s "'o6e #o%%ent to Kir8&"nd re4"rdin4 t$e 7it$dr"7"& o5 t$e stor( 5ro% t$e
)"rd Cop( s$o7 "&so see%ed to $"6e o##*rred 'e#"*se +OI?s M"r#$ 220 edition
reported t$"t )"rd Cop( didn?t r*n t$e stor(. A&& o5 7$i#$ 7"s "n *n5ort*n"te t*rn o5
e6ents3 &e"6in4 E& D*#e to de"& 7it$ t$e #onseP*en#es "s 'est $e #o*&d.
O5 K"r*s$ Seped;i"n?s po&(4r"p$ test3 M"= :"&&"#e "nd I"n )"&perin reported: In
!act1 Seped-ian1 an admitted -un*ie1 too* a polygraph as well %ut1 according to 'el%/s
o!!ice1 he *ept do3ing o!! 2a common symptom o! heroin addiction2 and the results were
dismissed as ,inconclusive7. (-3 p4.--!.
In F*ne 20043 Dr. >e&' 7"s "s8ed "'o*t :"&&"#e "nd )"&perin?s "'o6e report
"nd s"id t$"t Seped;i"n $"d 'een P*estioned t7i#e3 on#e on M"r#$ st 22/3 "nd on#e
"5ter E& D*#e $"d #o%p&eted $is po&(4r"p$ test. Dr >e&' st"ted t$"t t$e P*estion"ire
Seped;i"n $"d 5i&&ed in 7"s 7ritten in " 5ir% $"nd3 "nd t$"t Seped;i"n $"d st"ted t$"t
$e?d $"d 0 $o*rs s&eep "nd $"dn?t *sed dr*4s or %edi#"tion 5or 2 $o*rs prior to t$e
test.
:$en To% >r"nt "s8ed Dr >e&' i5 Seped;i"n?s res*&ts 7o*&d 'e #&"ssi5ied "s
Kin#on#&*si6eL or Kde#epti6eL $e rep&ied t$"t t$e( 7ere3 in 5"#t3 Kde#epti6e.L T$is
de#eption spe#i5i#"&&( re&"tes to t$e P*estion "s to 7$et$er Seped;i"n 7"s in e"rs$ot
7$en Co*rtne( @o6e %"de t$e o55er o5 %one( to E& D*#e3 to %*rder K*rt. Dr >e&'
stressed3 t$o*4$3 t$"t E& D*#e?s test res*&ts 7ere 7it$o*t de#eption3 t$e on&( #"6e"t
'ein4 t$"t E& D*#e t$o*4$t @o6e %"( $"6e 'een ;o8in4.
@o6e "nd $er &e4"& represent"ti6e?s re5*sed to #on5ir% or den( 7$et$er s$e 7"s
in @os An4e&es d*rin4 t$is period3 (t$e end o5 De#e%'er 22- 7$en E& D*#e #&"i%ed
s$e "ppro"#$ed $i% "t t$e Ro#8 S$op on :i&#o= A6e3 )o&&(7ood!3 despite :"&&"#e "nd
)"&perin?s repe"ted reP*ests. : E ) to&d t$e% t$"t i5 t$e( #o*&d pro6ide #on#rete
e6iden#e t$"t s$e 7"sn?t in @A "t t$e ti%e o5 E& D*#e?s #&"i%3 t$e( 7o*&d dis%iss t$e
stor( "s " 5"'ri#"tion. (-3 p4.--!.
@o6e?s &"7(ers re5*sed to pro6ide in5or%"tion on $er 7$ere"'o*ts "t t$is ti%e '*t
$"6e tried to dis#redit ot$er p"rts o5 E& D*#e?s #&"i%s. )er "ttorne( Set$ @i#$tenstein
pointed o*t E& D*#e s"id in one inter6ie7 t$"t $e 7"s se"ted on " 'en#$ o*tside t$e
Ro#8 S$op 7$en Co*rtne( "ppro"#$ed to %"8e t$e o55er. @i#$tenstein #orre#t&( "sserts
t$"t t$ere 7"s no 'en#$ o*tside t$e store "nd #on#&*des t$"t E& D*#e %*st t$ere5ore 'e
&(in4. (-!
:"&&"#e "nd )"&perin 5"i&ed to report t$"t Nir6"n" did " 4i4 "t T$e >re"t :estern
For*% In4&e7ood3 CA on De#e%'er -0 22- (43 p4.42!. T$e dist"n#e 'et7een t$e
>re"t :estern For*% "nd T$e Ro#8 S$op on :i&#o= A6e3 )o&&(7ood3 is "ppro= 0.-
%i&es. BorGi&&o reported t$"t Co*rtne( @o6e 7"s '"#8st"4e "5ter t$e "'o6e %entioned
>re"t :estern For*% s$o73 (QE(e7itness Nir6"n"? '( BorGi&&o3 p //!. S$e 7"s in @A on
De#e%'er -0t$ 22-3 7$i#$ s*pports E& D*#e?s #&"i%s. T$e @A Ti%es?s F"n 224
edition reported t$"t t$e :estern For*% De#e%'er -0 22- 4i4 7"s " 'ene5it 5or FAIR
(F"irness "nd A##*r"#( in Reportin4!.
To s*%%"rise:
Co*rtne( 7"s in @A "t t$e ti%e st"ted '( E& D*#e.
E& D*#e p"ssed " po&(4r"p$ test pro6in4 $e 7"sn?t &(in4.
It?s *ndeni"'&e t$"t Co*rtne( 8ne7 E& D*#e P*ite 7e&&.
T$e o6er"&& des#ription o5 'ot$ E& D*#e?s3 "nd possi'&( Seped;i"n?s3 #&"i%s 5it into t$e
5r"%e7or8 o5 " p&"nned %*rder. T$e( 4o " &on4 7"( in e=p&"inin4 Co*rtne(?s ot$er7ise
i&&o4i#"& "nd #ontr"r( 'e$"6io*r d*rin4 t$e ti%e K*rt 7"s %issin4.
T$e po&i#e in 'ot$ #ities ne6er t"&8ed to or e6en "##epted "n o55i#i"& st"te%ent
5ro% E&don. T$e "*t$orities need to e=p&"in t$eir &"#8 o5 #on#ern "'o*t t$is in6esti4"tion.
D*rin4 t$e >reen Ri6er M*rders in Se"tt&e3 in t$e 109s t$e Se"tt&e )o%i#ide Dept r*&ed
o*t s*spe#ts on t$e stren4t$ o5 t$eir po&(4r"p$ res*&ts3 (et t$e( #$oose to i4nore E&don9s
test (see The Search !or The 'reen #iver Killer3 '( C"r&ton S%it$ "nd To%"s >*i&&en ,
Si4net Tr*e Cri%e!. (0!
Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d spo8e to E&don 5or $is BBC do#*%ent"r( <K*rt "nd Co*rtne(<.
)ere is " tr"ns#ript o5 t$"t inter6ie7 ("s s$o7n on BBC 2 O#to'er - 221!.
Scene1 6room!ield is ta*en to meet El Duce at his a%ode in #iverside1 &A1 %y
Divine 6rown/s pimp1 who is a close personal !riend o! El Duce.
+i%p: T$ere $e is3 E& D*#e.
Broo%5ie&d: :$ereD O$ (es.
+i%p: T$ere $e is ri4$t t$ere. T$is is $i%3 E& D*#e.
E& D*#e: R"""r4$. :$ere?s t$e 'ooGeD
+i%p: )e?s ;*st per6ertedJ
E& D*#e: Re"$3 " 7"rped er3 into=i#"tor3 %ost o5 t$e ti%e.
Broo%5ie&d: So (o* er3 did so%e de"& 7it$ Co*rtne( ri4$tD
E& D*#e: Res.
5ere 6room!ield inter-ected the interview e<plaining that under 6ritish li%el laws
he was !orced to cut these allegations. It was impossi%le to su%stantiate any o! El
Duce/s allegations.
Broo%5ie&d: T$"t?s " 5"#t is itD
E& D*#e: (&"*4$s!.
Broo%5ie&d: +eop&e %i4$t t$in8 t$"t (o* "re not t$e %ost re&i"'&e 7itness.
E& D*#e: :e&&3 t$"t?s too '"d. Ro* %"( not 'e t$e re&i"'&e 7itness (o*r o7n se&53 no7
t$in8 "'o*t t$"tJ (&"*4$s.!
6room!ield again inter-ected withJ ,El Duce1 I !ound out was well *nown in the &A
music scene. A wild man with a strong !ollowing. 5e claims to have *nown (ourtney
over the years and that she came to the #oc* Shop and made him an o!!er.
)n!ortunately it is this o!!er we were una%le to su%stantiate. An o!!er that El Duce claims
was very e<treme. And that there was no way that it could %e reproduced without having
hard evidence that it was true. And under 6ritish li%el laws as they stand today1 that
would %e impossi%le.7
E& D*#e: I ;*st didn?t t$in8 s$e 7"s serio*s3 (&"*4$in4.!
6room!ield -umps in withJ )n!ortunately he was -ust a %it too wild and %rilliant !or
the English li%el laws. 6ut she didn/t say anything a%out ma*ing...
E& D*#e: ...M"8e it &oo8 &i8e " s*i#ide.
Broo%5ie&d: :e&&3 (e"$3 '*t i5 (o* ;*st '&e7 $is 'r"ins o*t &i8e (o* s"id3 it 7o*&dn?t &oo8
&i8e " s*i#ide3 it 7o*&d &oo8 &i8e (o* '&e7 $is 'r"ins o*t.
E& D*#e: Ri4$t3 '*t er3 I to&d A&"n.. (&oo8s *p s$eepis$&( to7"rds Di6ine Bro7n?s pi%p! ..I
%e"n er3 %( 5riend 7$o (&"*4$in4! ""$3 I?&& &et t$e FBI #"t#$ $i%3 '*t er3 (&"*4$s! t$"t9s
;*st t$e 7"( it?s done. End o5 Stor( (&"*4$s "4"in!. )e( .0 4r"nd does " &ot o5 t"&8in4.
Ro* '*( %e " 'eer I %i4$t do so%e %ore t"&8in43 (&"*4$s3 &oo8s into t$e #"%er"!
,R"""""r4$J
6room!ieldJ And that seemed to %e the end o! the interview. I didn/t *now Uuite
what to thin*. El Duce had passed a polygraph test1 even though his main witness
9Seped-ian1: had nodded o!! %e!ore its completion.
A 7ee8 "5ter t$e inter6ie7 7it$ Broo%5ie&d3 on Apri& 23 2203 E&don 7"s 8i&&ed '(
" tr"in ne"r $is $o%e. )is de"t$ 7"s reported "s K"##ident"&L '( t$e C"&i5orni" )i4$7"(
+"tro&. E&don9s &"st inter6ie7 #"n 'e seen in Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d9s do#*%ent"r(. (3
p4.11H0! T$e e6ents s*rro*ndin4 E&don9s de"t$ "re %*r8(3 %*#$ &i8e t$e e6ents
s*rro*ndin4 K*rt9s. :"&&"#e "nd )"&perin report t$"t3 "t .+M3 E&don "rri6ed "t $is $o*se
7it$ " %"n $e s"id $e $"d ;*st %et. A5ter " 7$i&e3 t$e t7o &e5t to 4o to t$e &iP*or store
s"(in4 t$e( 7o*&d 'e '"#8 s$ort&(. T$e( ne6er ret*rned. At 2p% E&don 7"s $it '( " tr"in
"nd died inst"nt&(. T$ere 7ere no 7itnesses. +o&i#e 7ere *n"'&e to &o#"te t$e %"n seen
7it$ E&don t$"t "5ternoon. (- p4.-4H0!
M*si# ;o*rn"&ist "nd 5riend o5 E&don3 A& Bo7%"n s"id: <T$ere is so%et$in4 6er(3
6er( str"n4e "'o*t $is de"t$. An('od( 7$o 8ne7 E& 8ne7 t$"t (o* #o*&d %"8e 5riends
7it$ $i% '( o55erin4 to '*( $i% " drin8. )e $"d " pro'&e% 7it$ "&#o$o&.< :$en "s8ed i5
$e t$o*4$t E&don 7"s s*i#id"& $e rep&ied: KNo 7"(. )e 7"s "&& e=ited "'o*t $is *p#o%in4
to*r. )e 7"s in 4ood spirits. )e didn9t 8i&& $i%se&5. I9% #on6in#ed t$is $"s so%et$in4 to do
7it$ K*rt Co'"in.< T$ere "re re%"r8"'&e si%i&"rities 'et7een t$e 7"( K*rt died "nd t$e
7"( E&don died. Bo7%"n did not t$in8 $e 7"s s*i#id"&3 "nd t$e "'o6e P*ote so*nds
re%"r8"'&( &i8e 7$"t D(&"n C"r&son s"id 7$en "s8ed i5 K*rt 7"s s*i#id"&: "Kurt was
!acing lots o! pretty heavy things1 %ut he was actually pretty up%eat. 5e was prepared to
deal with things !acing him. 5e was ma*ing all *inds o! plans !or when he got %ac* !rom
reha%." (0!
K*rt "nd E& D*#e s$"red se6er"& #onst"nts in t$eir &i6es:
' Bot$ o5 t$e% 4ot on t$e 7ron4 side o5 Co*rtne( @o6e.
+' Bot$ o5 t$e% 7ere " t$re"t to $er.
3' Bot$ died *nder %(sterio*s #ir#*%st"n#es.
*' Neit$er o5 t$e% 7"s s*i#id"&.
In &"te M"(3 2203 "t t$e A%eri#"n Ci6i& @i'erties Union Tor#$ o5 @i'ert( "7"rds
'"nP*et in @.A.3 p"(in4 4*est Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d (t$e 5i&%%"8er 7$o %"de t$e <K*rt E
Co*rtne(< BBC do#*%ent"r(! %"de "n *ns#$ed*&ed trip to t$e podi*%. )e t$en
deno*n#ed t$e se&e#tion o5 Co*rtne( @o6e "s "n "7"rd presenter. )e spee#$ 7ent
so%et$in4 &i8e: <T$is is " 7o%"n 7$o $"s %"de t$re"ts "4"inst ;o*rn"&ists 7$o 7rite
*n5&"tterin4 "rti#&es "'o*t $er. T$is is " 7o%"n 7$o t$re"tened to s*e t7o 'oo8 "*t$ors
e6en t$o*4$ s$e is P*oted "##*r"te&(..< @o6e3 $e s"(s3 is deep&( #o%%itted to #ontro&&in4
t$e %edi". Broo%5ie&d9s spee#$ 7"s #*t s$ort '( D"nn( >o&d'er43 AC@U,So*t$ern
C"&i5orni" president3 5o*nder o5 >o&d Mo*nt"in Entert"in%ent3 'oss o5 Mer#*r( Re#ords
"nd3 %ore i%port"nt&(3 @o6e9s 5riend3 ind*str( "&&( "nd t$e $*s'"nd o5 $er &"7(er3
Rose%"r( C"rro&&. >o&d'er43 in " s$inin4 %o%ent "s #$ie5 @os An4e&es &o''(ist 5or 5ree
spee#$3 r*s$es t$e podi*%3 s#re"%in43 <Ro* #"n9t t"&8J Ro* 7eren9t in6ited to spe"8J<
"nd p*s$es Broo%5ie&d o55 t$e st"4e3 '*t Broo%5ie&d9s #"%er"s 7ere ro&&in4 t$ro*4$o*t.
(.!
)ere is "n "ddition"& tr"ns#ript o5 Broo%5ie&d9s inter6ie7 7it$ one o5 t$e Co'"in9s
n"nnies3 "s #"n 'e seen in t$e 5i&% <K*rt E Co*rtne(<:
Friend (o5 t$e n"nn(!: S$e?s re"&&( s#"red. S$e?s "&7"(s 'een "5r"id to t"&8 "'o*t t$is.
Broo%5ie&d: )o7 &on4 7"s s$e t$e n"nn(D
Friend: U%3 4 or . %ont$s. T$e( 4o t$ro*4$ n"nnies &i8e peop&e 4o t$ro*4$ K&eene=.
Broo%5ie&d: Re"&&( D
Friend: Res.
Broo%5ie&d: And s$e?s re"&&( 5ri4$tenedD
Friend: Res.
Broo%5ie&d: :$"t is s$e 5ri4$tened o5D
Friend: Co*rtne(.
6room!ield now tal*s a%out the nannyJ She had %ecome very depressed and
withdrawn !ollowing her time at the house 9Kurt/s house at DND &a*e $ashington 6lvd:
-ust %e!ore Kurt died. I as*ed her what was so strange in those last wee*s.
N"nn(: T$ere 7"s ;*st 7"( too %*#$ 7i&& t"&8. A 5e7 di55erent ti%es. M";or 7i&& t"&8. F*st
t"&8in4 "'o*t $is 7i&& "nd...<
Broo%5ie&d: :$"t 8ind o5 pointsD
N"nn(: Co*rtne( t"&8in4 "'o*t $is 7i&& "nd... I %e"n 7$"t " t$in4 to t"&8 "'o*t (ner6o*s
&"*4$.!
Broo%5ie&d: And 7"s t$is ;*st sort o5 prior to $is....
N"nn(: Re"$3 I %e"n t$e %ont$ t$"t I 7"s *p t$ere 7"s &i8e3 I #"%e $o%e 5or " 7$"tD A
7ee8D "nd t$en $e died. I $"d P*it 5or3 &i8e3 " 7ee8.
Broo%5ie&d: :$( did (o* P*itD
N"nn(: Be#"*se I #o*&dn?t st"nd it *p t$ere (ner6o*s &"*4$.!
Broo%5ie&d: And 7$"t did (o* t$in8 o5 K*rt $i%se&5D
N"nn(: U%%%...
Broo%5ie&d: I $e"rd $e 7"s " 6er( #"rin4 5"t$er.
N"nn(: (noddin4 in "4ree%ent!: <Res3 %ore #"rin4 t$"n $e 7"s &et to 'e (ner6o*s &"*4$.!
Broo%5ie&d: :$"t do (o* %e"nD
N"nn(: S$e ;*st tot"&&( #ontro&&ed $i%... e6er( se#ond t$"t s$e #o*&d.
Broo%5ie&d: :$"t do (o* t$in8 $e 7"ntedD
N"nn(: To 4et "7"( 5ro% Co*rtne(. And I t$in8 $e ;*st didn?t $"6e " 7"( 'e#"*se...
(tr"i&s o55!.
C)A+TER 2 , T$e UNSO@IED MRSTERIES Episode "nd To%9s Re"#tion
A5ter %eetin4 7it$ " dire#tor 5ro% NBC?s UNSO@IED MRSTERIES in De#e%'er
o5 22/3 To% "4reed to p"rti#ip"te in t$e 5i&%in4 o5 " se4%ent 7$i#$ 7"s &"ter te&e6ised
'( NBC TI on Fe'r*"r( 03 2203 d*rin4 KS7eeps :ee8.L T$is 5irst net7or8 te&e6ision
#o6er"4e 7"s so%e7$"t &i%ited in s#ope. T$e prod*#ers s$ied "7"( 5ro% n"%in4
Co*rtne( @o6e "s " s*spe#t3 '*t did s*##eed in introd*#in4 t$e %*rder #"se to t$e
p*'&i#.
Fro% t$e 'e4innin43 t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent $"6e *sed de#epti6e "nd
%is&e"din4 st"te%ents to #o6er " s&opp( "nd in#o%p&ete in6esti4"tion. T$e Unso&6ed
M(steries episode 5in"&&( 5or#ed t$e% to de"& 7it$ so%e 6er( '"si# P*estions in " p*'&i#
5or*%. Iss*es dis#*ssed on t$is Unso&6ed M(steries se4%ent in#&*ded:
. T$e o55i#i"& #&"i% t$"t t$e po&i#e "ppro"#$ed t$is #"se "s " possi'&e
$o%i#ide...
2. A#ti6it( on Co'"in?s #redit #"rd "5ter $e died...
-. No &e4i'&e 5in4erprints on t$e s$ot4*n...
4. S*estion"'&e $"nd7ritin4 "t t$e 'otto% o5 t$e note...
.. To=i#o&o4( , Co'"in?s $eroin3 (%orp$ine!3 '&ood &e6e& 7"s ..2 %4%s per &iterJ
(3 p4.2-!
ISSE !1
Po%ice c%$i1 t2e3 investig$ted t2is c$se $s $ )ossi(%e 2o1icide:
,?ur detectives actually went into this investigation on the premise that this was a
homicide... so that there was a very thorough and comprehensive investigation done
!rom the %eginning.. Everything that the detectives encountered indicated to them that
this was a suicide. $e actually !ound nothing to indicate that this was anything %ut a
suicide.7 (Se"n O?Donne&&3 Medi" Re&"tions O55i#er 5or t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent!.
T$is &ine is one o5 t$eir st"nd"rd3 'ro"d s7eepin43 #o6er,"&& responses. It so*nds
4ood3 '*t it re"&&( s"(s not$in43 "nd it?s not '"#8ed *p 7it$ 5"#ts. (3 p4.2-! In t$e po&i#e
reports3 Dete#ti6es Fi% Ros$id" "nd Ste6e Kir8&"nd3 t7o o5 t$e 5irst dete#ti6es on t$e
s#ene3 7rote: "4-8-94 09#0$ %t& Mar'(r) r(c(i*(s a +hon( ca,, -ro. S/0& 1h(y ar(
r(23(stin) a ho.icid( t(a. at 444 %a5( 6ashin)ton B,& E& 1h(y ar( on th( sc(n( o-
a s3icid(& 1h(r( is a not( +r(s(nt and th( )3n is a,so in +,ac(&&&7
T$e o55i#er did not s"( ,possi%le s*i#ideL or K7$"t appears to 'e " s*i#ide3L or
e6en3 KT$e( "re on t$e s#ene o5 " dead %ody.7 Dete#ti6es Ros$id" "nd Kir8&"nd "4reed
7it$ t$e o55i#ers on t$e s#ene "nd de#&"red t$is 7"s " Ks*i#ideL 5ro% t$e %o%ent t$e(
5irst 4ot t$e #"&&J T$e $o%i#ide te"% $"d not e6en "rri6ed "t t$e s#ene (et "nd t$e( 7ere
"&re"d( assuming it 7"s " Ks*i#ide.L (3 p4.24!
:$en To% %et 7it$ S4t. C"%eron on Apri& .t$3 $e see%ed "nno(ed t$"t t$e
$o%i#ide *nit e6en $"d to 4o to t$e s#ene. D*rin4 t$eir %eetin43 S4t. C"%eron to&d $i%3
,$e don/t normally send out a homicide unit to what appears to %e an o%vious
suicide..Suicides are handled %y the patrol units17 C"%eron s"id. KThe only reason we
even went was %ecause o! who it was. I! this would have %een anyone else1 we wouldn/t
have had to send a homicide unit to the scene.7 T$e @os An4e&es Co*nt( S$eri55?s
dep"rt%ent "&7"(s sends " $o%i#ide *nit to "n( "nd "&& s*i#ides. So do %ost ot$er &"r4e
#it( po&i#e dep"rt%ents. Un&ess t$e(?6e re#ent&( #$"n4ed t$eir po&i#(3 it "ppe"rs t$e
Se"tt&e +o&i#e Dep"rt%ent doesn?t &oo8 6er( #&ose "t any de"t$ t$"t rese%'&es "
Ks*i#ide.L )o7 %"n( ot$er Ks*i#idesL in Se"tt&e %"( $"6e 'een %is;*d4ed "nd
%is$"nd&ed '( t$is dep"rt%entD (3 p4.24!
>ettin4 '"#8 to t$e po&i#e reports3 in re5eren#e to t$e note 5o*nd "t t$e s#ene3
Dete#ti6e S4t. Ros$id" "nd Ste6e Kir8&"nd 7rite: "1his is a s3icid( not( dir(ct(d to
8o3rtn(y and Franc(s&&&7 On#e "4"in3 noti#e t$e 'i"s in#&*ded in t$is o55i#er?s
st"te%ent. T$ere?s not$in4 in t$is note "'o*t Ks*i#ideL "nd (et it?s "*to%"ti#"&&( &"'e&ed
" Ks*i#ideL note. O55i#er @e6"ndo7s8i "&so 7rites: "1h( not( was a++ar(nt,y writt(n 'y
8o'ain to his wi-( and da3)ht(r (9+,ainin) why h( had 5i,,(d hi.s(,-&7 As
pre6io*s&( dis#*ssed3 t$is note 7"s not 7ritten to K*rt9s 7i5e "nd d"*4$ter. In 5"#t3 it 7"s
e6en si4ned 7it$ K*rt?s 5irst "nd &"st n"%e. :$o 7o*&d 7rite " &etter to " spo*se "ndHor
one o5 t$eir #$i&dren "nd si4n t$e &etter 7it$ $is 5irst "nd &"st n"%eD (3 p4.24! T$ere 7"s
on&( " s$ort 5ootnote to Fr"n#es "nd Co*rtne(. T$e $"nd7ritin4 t$"t #o%prises t$e
5ootnote $"s 'een e="%ined '( se6er"& e=perts 7$o P*estion 7$et$er or not Co'"in
e6en 7rote t$ose p"rti#*&"r &ines. It?s #&e"r t$"t t$e 'od( o5 t$is note 7"s 7ritten to
Co'"in?s 5"ns3 not to $is 7i5e "nd d"*4$ter. And on#e "4"in3 t2is note s$3s not2ing
$(out "why h( 5i,,(d hi.s(,-&7 T$e dete#ti6e?s presumption o5 s*i#ide o'6io*s&(
e55e#ted $is sense o5 per#eption and $is e(esi4$t. (3 p4.2.!
An( e=perien#ed po&i#e o55i#er or "ttorne( 8no7s $o7 i%port"nt t$e 7ordin4 #"n
'e in "n o55i#i"& po&i#e report or #o*rt do#*%ent. In 7ritin4 " report "'o*t t$e s#ene o5 "n
in#ident3 po&i#e o55i#ers "re instr*#ted to "##*r"te&( des#ri'e 7$"t t$e( o'ser6e3 7it$o*t
'i"s3 "nd 7it$o*t 5in"& #on#&*sions. A proper des#ription o5 t$e s#ene %i4$t in#&*de
p$r"ses &i8e3 KT$is appears to 'e " s*i#ide3L or KT$ere is " note present. T$e note
appears to 'e " s*i#ide note.L One o5 t$e "'o6e p$r"ses is " st"te%ent o5 5"#t. It is
di55i#*&t to #$"&&en4e 7it$o*t "ddition"& in5or%"tion. T$e ot$er is " st"te%ent o5
appearance1 &e"6in4 t$e door open 5or ot$er possi'i&ities. One st"te%ent is desi4ned to
#on6in#e3 #on#&*de3 "nd #&ose t$e door on ot$er possi'i&ities. T$e ot$er st"te%ent is
desi4ned to en#o*r"4e 5*rt$er rese"r#$ red*#in4 t$e possi'i&it( o5 error. T$ese po&i#e
reports "re $e"6i&( 'i"sed3 t$e( %isrepresent t$e 5"#ts 7$i&e p"intin4 " pi#t*re o5 7$"t
t$e dete#ti6es %elieved to 'e s*i#ide. T$is 'i"s to7"rds " #on#&*sion o5 s*i#ide 7"s "&so
disp&"(ed t$ro*4$ t$e "#tions t"8en '( t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e 5o&&o7in4 K*rt?s de"t$. )ere "re
;*st " 5e7 e="%p&es (3 p4.2.!:
A' T$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e did not #$e#8 t$e s$ot4*n 5or 5in4erprints *nti& ne"r&( one %ont$
"5ter Co'"in 7"s 8i&&ed. (T$e( didn?t print t$e pen or s$ot4*n s$e&&s *nti& t$e( 7ere
press*red '( t$e %edi" ne"r&( three years &"terJ! No &e4i'&e prints 7ere 5o*nd.
G' To% >r"nt i%%edi"te&( indi#"ted $is s*spi#ions "'o*t Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De7itt to S4t.
C"%eron3 '*t t$e dete#ti6es on&( inter6ie7ed C"&i 'y t(,(+hon(: I5 t$is #"se $"d 'een
in6esti4"ted "s " possi'&e $o%i#ide3 C"&i 7o*&d $"6e 'een inter6ie7ed in person3 5"#e to
5"#e 7it$in $o*rs or "t %ost3 d"(s "5ter K*rt?s de"t$.
C' Be#"*se o5 t$e &ies "nd in#onsisten#ies s*rro*ndin4 t$ese e6ents3 "s 7e&& "s
Co*rtne(?s potenti"& %oti6e 5or st"4in4 K*rt?s Ks*i#ideL r"t$er t$"n 5"#e " di6or#e3
Co*rtne( @o6e s$o*&d $"6e 'een #onsidered " possi'&e s*spe#t. B*t 7$en t$e
dete#ti6es needed " $"nd7ritin4 s"%p&e o5 K*rt?s to #o%p"re "4"inst t$e note 5o*nd "t
t$e s#ene3 in#redi'&(3 t$e( "##epted " s"%p&e o5 K*rt?s $"nd7ritin4 5ro% Co*rtne( @o6e.
)o7 #o*&d t$e( possi'&( 8no7 t$is 7"sn?t " 5or4ed &etterD
E' S4t. C"%eron s"id t$e( $"d not de6e&oped t$e -.%% p$oto4r"p$s "nd pro'"'&(
ne6er 7i&&. )e s"id3 K:e don?t de6e&op p$oto4r"p$s on " s*i#ide.L
8' T$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e ne6er 5o*nd o*t 7$o 7"s tr(in4 to *se K*rt?s #redit #"rd "5ter $e
7"s &"ter 8no7n to $"6e died. One $"s to 7onder $o7 t$is #"se #o*&d $"6e 'een #&osed
7it$o*t 5i&&in4 in s*#$ " &"r4e 4"pin4 $o&e3 espe#i"&&( i5 it 7"s $"nd&ed "s " possi'&e
$o%i#ide.
6' T$e po&i#e "&&o7ed e6iden#e o5 "n( possi'&e $o%i#ide to 'e destro(ed 'e5ore "
t$oro*4$ in6esti4"tion #o*&d $"6e t"8en p&"#e. T$e( "&&o7ed Co*rtne( @o6e to $"6e
Co'"in?s 'od( #re%"ted 7it$in one 7ee8 "5ter $e 7"s 5o*nd de"d. T$e( $"dn?t e6en
#$e#8ed t$e s$ot4*n 5or 5in4erprints (etJ T$is 7"sn?t ;*st " '*ri"&3 t$is 7"s tot"&
destr*#tion o5 t$e pri%"r( e6iden#e. T$e Se"tt&e po&i#e "&so 4"6e '"#8 to Co*rtne( "&&
t$e <s*i#ide< notes3 on&( t$e d"( "5ter Kristen +5"553 (t$e '"ss 4*it"r p&"(er in Co*rtne(?s
'"nd!3 7"s 5o*nd de"d in Se"tt&e3 ;*st t7o %ont$s sin#e K*rt?s de"t$.
@' Cr*#i"& P*estions $"6e 'een &e5t *n"ns7ered. Most #&osed #"ses "re &e5t 7it$ " 5e7
*n"ns7ered P*estions. B*t t$is #"se $"s ne"r&( " $*ndred *n"ns7ered P*estions. T$e
st"te%ent iss*ed '( Se"n O?Donne&& t$"t t$e dete#ti6es... "w(nt into this in*(sti)ation
on th( +r(.is( that this was a ho.icid(,7 7"s "t 'est3 de&i'er"te&( %is&e"din4. At
7orst3 t$is st"te%ent 7"s "n o*tri4$t &ie. I5 t$"t 7eren?t '"d eno*4$3 O?Donne&& "dded...
"Nothin) w( saw ,(d 3s to '(,i(*( this was anythin) '3t a s3icid(&7 T$e( didn?t see
"n(t$in4 e&se 'e#"*se t$e( 7eren?t loo*ing 5or "n(t$in4 e&se. (3 p4.2.,2/!
Re4"rdin4 K*rt Co'"in?s de"t$3 O55i#er O?Donne&& ro*tine&( in5or%s t$e %edi"3
"A,, th( (*id(nc( -o3nd at th( sc(n( was consist(nt with s3icid(,7 '*t t$is #"se is
"n(t$in4 '*t #onsistent. In 5"#t3 it %"( ;*st t*rn o*t to 'e t$e %ost inconsist(nt so,
#"&&ed Ks*i#ideL on re#ord. (3 p4.2/!
ISSE !;
Credit C$rd Activit3
De%i(er$te dece)tion (3 SPD 5edi$ Re%$tions O##icerH
A&t$o*4$ K*rt did $"6e t7o ot$er Iers"te&&er #"rds3 t$e Se"5irst B"n8 #"rd 7"s
t$e on&( #redit #"rd $e 7"s s*pposed to $"6e in $is possession 7$en $e &e5t t$e re$"' in
@os An4e&es. It 7"s *sed to p*r#$"se $is ti#8et 5ro% @os An4e&es to Se"tt&e on De&t"
Air&ines. :$en Co'"in?s 'od( 7"s 5o*nd3 t$e t7o Iers"te&&er #"rds 7ere 5o*nd in $is
7"&&et3 '*t t$e Se"5irst B"n8 #redit #"rd 7"s %issin4. Re#ords &"ter re#ei6ed 5ro%
Se"5irst B"n8 indi#"te so%eone 7"s "tte%ptin4 to *se Co'"in?s Se"5irst B"n8 #"rd3 *p
*nti&3 "nd "s &"te "s Apri& /t$ "nd 1t$. To% %"int"ins K*rt Co'"in 7"s 8i&&ed &"te S*nd"(
e6enin43 Apri& -rd3 or in t$e e"r&( %ornin4 $o*rs o5 Mond"(3 Apri& 4t$. T$e Medi#"&
E="%iner $"s esti%"ted t$e ti%e o5 de"t$ to 'e no &"ter t$"t Apri& .t$. B( either "##o*nt3
"t &e"st t7o tr"ns"#tions 7ere "tte%pted "5ter Co'"in 7"s de"dJ (p420!
)ere?s $o7 t$e Se"tt&e Medi" Spo8esperson responded to t$is #r*#i"& pie#e o5
e6iden#e 7$i#$ points dire#t&( to 5o*& p&"( in t$e de"t$ o5 K*rt Co'"in: O55i#er O?Donne&&
s"id3 "1h( in-or.ation w(<*( '((n a',( to r(c(i*( -ro. th( 'an5 has on,y '((n
a',( to id(nti-y -or 3s wh(n th( in-or.ation was ,o))(d onto th(ir .ain -ra.(
co.+3t(r and not s+(ci-ica,,y wh(n th( att(.+t was .ad( and who it was .ad(
'y&7 (p421!
T$e i%p&i#"tion %"de '( t$e po&i#e spo8es%"n $ere is t$"t no one re"&&( 8no7s i5
t$ese "tte%pts 7ere %"de "5ter Co'"in 7"s de"d. )e 7"nted t$e 6ie7er to 'e&ie6e t$e
tr"ns"#tions #o*&d $"6e 'een %"de e"r&ier "nd ;*st not &o44ed into t$e #o%p*ter *nti& "
&"ter ti%e "nd d"te. T$ere?s on&( one re"son 5or " st"te%ent &i8e t$"t: to de&i'er"te&(
de#ei6e t$e p*'&i# 7it$ %isin5or%"tion in "n "tte%pt to #o6er,*p " 6er( s&opp( po&i#e
in6esti4"tion. T$e tr*t$ is3 t$e po&i#e re#ei6ed t$eir re#ord o5 t$e "tte%pted #redit #"rd
"#ti6it( t$ro*4$ To% >r"nt9s o55i#e. To% o't"ined it 5ro% t$e #redit #"rd #o%p"n( "nd
p"ssed it on to t$e Se"tt&e dete#ti6es.
A##ordin4 to t$e re#ord3 so%eone "tte%pted to *se K*rt?s #redit #"rd on Apri& /t$
"nd Apri& 1t$3 7e&& "5ter $e 7"s "&re"d( de"d. :$en To%9s 5ir% spo8e 7it$ t$e #redit
#"rd #o%p"n( "'o*t t$e ti%es &isted on t$is re#ord3 t$e( s"id t$"t t$e ti%es &isted 7ere
pro'"'&( in"##*r"te 'e#"*se t$e tr"ns"#tion "tte%pt doesn?t "&7"(s 4et re#orded *nti&
&"ter. As " res*&t3 t$e "#t*"& "tte%pted tr"ns"#tion ti%e %"( 6"r( 5ro% t$e ti%e &isted on
t$e re#ord. N"t*r"&&(3 To% "s8ed t$e #redit #"rd represent"ti6e to e=p&"in $o7
in"##*r"te t$e re#orded ti%e %i4$t 'e. Co*&d t$e dis#rep"n#( "%o*nt to "s %*#$ "s "
d"( or t7oD (3 p4.21! KNo. It 7o*&d on&( 'e " 5e7 %in*tes3 or in so%e #"ses "n $o*r or
so... '*t ne6er " d"( or %ore3L t$e '"n8 represent"ti6e responded. T$is %inor
dis#rep"n#( in re#orded ti%es does not #$"n4e t$e 5"#t t$"t so%eone $"d 'een
"tte%ptin4 to *se Co'"in?s #redit #"rd3 on "t &e"st t7o o##"sions3 "5ter $e 7"s "&re"d(
de"d. T$e Se"tt&e po&i#e "re #o%p&ete&( "7"re o5 t$is: To%9s 5ir% in5or%ed t$e% o5 t$e
&i%its to t$ese ti%e dis#rep"n#ies 7$en t$e( pro6ided t$e ori4in"& in5or%"tion "'o*t t$e
"tte%pted tr"ns"#tions. T$ese det"i&s $"6e 'een #$e#8ed "nd re,#$e#8ed '( #o*nt&ess
%edi" rese"r#$ers. Actu$%%3B t2ere is so1et2ing $(out t2is c$se t2$t re1$ins
Iconsistent'F As t2e3 tr3 to cover t2eir tr$c<sB t2e Se$tt%e )o%ice 2$ve consist(nt,y
)rovided t2e )u(%ic /it2 de%i(er$te%3 1is%e$ding in#or1$tion' (3 p4.22!
ISSE !=
No %egi(%e )rints on t2e s2otgun:
In re5eren#e to t$e &"#8 o5 &e4i'&e prints on t$e s$ot4*n3 Se"n O?Donne&& iss*ed
t$e 5o&&o7in4 st"te%ent: "6(,,, I thin5 it<s c,(ar that anyon( who is -a.i,iar with
-ir(ar.s and th(ir 3s( wo3,d 5now that as th(y ho,d a w(a+on that -r(23(nt,y that
w(a+on wi,, .o*( in th(ir hand& Additiona,,y wh(n that w(a+on is dischar)(d that
ca3s(s a >(r5in) .otion which ca3s(s th( hands to .o*( o*(r th( s3r-ac( o- th(
w(a+on and a,, o- thos( -actors co3,d ca3s( any -in)(r+rints that .ay ha*( '((n
,(-t on th( w(a+on to '( 3n3sa',(&7 (3 p4.22! Most 7o*&d "4ree , i5 t$e s$ot4*n $"d
ne6er 'een to*#$ed *nti& t$e %o%ent it 7"s 5ired. T$en O?Donne&&?s Kt$eor(L %i4$t 'e
re%ote&( possi'&eJ B*t 7$en 7e &oo8 "t t$e 5"#ts:
. T$e 4*n s$op o7ner "ndHor e%p&o(ee $"d to $"nd&e t$is s$ot4*n 7$en it 7"s
p*t on disp&"( "t t$e s$op.
2. K*rt Co'"in 7o*&d "&so $"6e $"nd&ed t$e s$ot4*n on M"r#$ -0t$3 t$e d"( $e
p*r#$"sed it. T$is 7"s " so%e7$"t r"re s$ot4*n. It?s " se%i,"*to%"ti#. T$e '"rre&
re#oi&s "ppro=i%"te&( -L 7$en it?s 5ired to "*to%"ti#"&&( re,&o"d t$e ne=t s$e&&. In "ddition
to $"nd&in4 t$e s$ot4*n d*rin4 t$e s"&es tr"ns"#tion3 so%eone "t t$e store $"d to s$o7
Co'"in $o7 to &o"d it "nd $o7 it 7or8s. T$is 7o*&d reP*ire e=tensi6e $"nd&in4 o5 t$e
7e"pon not on&( '( K*rt Co'"in3 '*t "&so '( "t &e"st one ot$er person "t t$e 4*n s$op.
-. A5ter p*ttin4 t$e s$ot4*n in t$e #"r3 Co'"in 7o*&d $"6e $"nd&ed it "4"in 7$en
$e 4ot o*t o5 t$e #"r t"8e it inside $is $o*se3 "nd... (3 p4.22!
4. Co'"in 7o*&d $"6e $"nd&ed it " 5e7 d"(s &"ter 7$en $e ret*rned $o%e "nd
retrie6ed t$e 7e"pon 5ro% 7$ere $e &e5t it in t$e $o*se. (p400!
.. T$e s$ot4*n 7"s &o"ded 7it$ t$ree s$e&&s prior to 'ein4 dis#$"r4ed. Sin#e it
7"s &o"ded 5or prote#tion3 so%eone3 %ost &i8e&( K*rt $i%se&53 &o"ded t$ose t$ree s$e&&s
into t$e s$ot4*n. T$is 7o*&d "4"in reP*ire s*'st"nti"& $"nd&in4 o5 t$e s$ot4*n. So t$is
7e"pon 7"s not ;*st $"nd&ed "t t$e ti%e o5 Co'"in?s de"t$ "s t$e po&i#e 7o*&d $"6e (o*
'e&ie6e. It 7"s &e4iti%"te&( $"nd&ed "t ot$er ti%es '( "t &e"st one ot$er person3 (not to
%ention t$e person 7$o s$ot $i%!3 "nd it $"d to $"6e 'een $"nd&ed e=tensi6e&( '( K*rt
$i%se&5. T$ere s$o*&d $"6e 'een 5in4erprints "&& o6er t$"t s$ot4*n *n&ess so%eone
7iped t$e% o55J (3 p4.00!
ISSE !4
@$nd/riting on t2e note #ound $t t2e scene:
M"r#e& B. M"t&e(3 one o5 t$e Do#*%ent E="%iners $ired '( Unso&6ed M(steries3
#o%%ented3 KAs to t$e &"st 5o*r &ines3 t$ere "re %ore t$"n " doGen di55eren#es t$"t
s$o*&d 4i6e *s p"*se "nd 7e 7o*&d $"6e to re"son"'&( e=p&"in t$ese di55eren#es 'e5ore
7e #o*&d #on#&*de it 7"s 7ritten '( Co'"in.L Anot$er Do#*%ent E="%iner inter6ie7ed
'( Unso&6ed M(steries3 Re4in"&d A&ton o5 O=5ord Uni6ersit(3 "&so pointed o*t %ore t$"n
" doGen dis#rep"n#ies "nd st"ted3 KT$ere "re %"n( indi#"tions t$"t t$ere #o*&d 'e "
se#ond $"nd "t 7or8.L B*t Se"n O?Donne&&3 Spo8esperson 5or t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e
Dep"rt%ent3 in re5errin4 to t$eir o7n Do#*%ent E="%iner3 si%p&( s"id3 KIt 7"s $er
opinion t$"t it 7"s 7ritten '( Co'"in.L As *s*"&3 t$e p*'&i# is e=pe#ted to "##ept t$e
o55i#i"& ,opinion7 "t 5"#e 6"&*e3 7it$o*t "n( e=p&"n"tion o5 t$e dis#rep"n#ies. "0on<t
23(stion 3s& 6( 5now what w(<r( doin)&7 End o# stor3E
"6h(n th( so,( 'asis -or acc(+tin) th( (9+(rt<s o+inion is th(
s(,--ass(rtion o- )r(at +(rsona, .(rit, trainin), (9+(ri(nc(, or
+r(sti)io3s so3ndin) tit,(s, it is no .or( than an o+inionat(d
o+inion, tho3)h w(,, dr(ss(d in th( tra++in)s and s(.',anc( o-
sci(nc( and a3thority&7
5$rce% G' 5$t%e3 (3 p4.00!
ISSE !#
ToJico%og3: @eroin (%ood %eve% K'"+ 1gs )er %iter' Di$Le)$1 $%so )resent:
:$i&e introd*#in4 Dr. C(ri& :e#$t3 " n"tion"&&( 8no7n 5orensi# p"t$o&o4ist3 Ro'ert
St"#83 t$e $ost o5 Unso&6ed M(steries3 #o%%ented: "E*(n tho3)h h( hasn<t s((n th(
a3to+sy r(+ort, 6(cht '(,i(*(s th( s3icid( r3,in) is corr(ct' How(*(r, h( do(s
-ind th( hi)h ,(*(, o- h(roin intri)3in)&7 Dr. :e#$t "4reed 7it$ t$e Ks*i#ide
#on#&*sion3L pri%"ri&( d*e to t$e in5or%"tion #ont"ined in t$e Se"tt&e +o&i#e reports.
B"sed on $is re"din4 o5 t$ose reports3 :e#$t 7"s &ed to 'e&ie6e t$e 5o&&o7in4 (3
p4.0!:
A' Co'"in 7"s 8no7n to 'e s*i#id"&. Co'"in tried to 8i&& $i%se&5 on t7o ot$er
o##"sions "nd $"d &e5t "not$er Ks*i#ideL note on one o5 t$ose
o##"sions.
G' A5ter $e 5&ed " re$"' in @os An4e&es3 Co'"in p*r#$"sed " s$ot4*n.
C' T$ere 7ere %"r8s on Co'"in?s $"nds K#onsistent 7it$ t$e 5irin4 o5 t$e
7e"pon.L
D' T$ere 7"s " Ks*i#ideL note "t t$e s#ene.
In ot$er 7ords3 Dr. :e#$t $"d 'een 4i6en t$e s"%e !alse in5or%"tion "s $"d
'een 5*rnis$ed to e6er(one e&seJ :$"t e&se could $e 'e&ie6eD )o7e6er3 7$en it #"%e to
so%e o5 t$e true e6iden#e in t$is #"se3 t$e e=tre%e&( $i4$ &e6e& o5 $eroin "nd Di"Gep"%
5o*nd in Co'"in?s '&ood s(ste%3 &oo8 #&ose&( "t 7$"t Dr. :e#$t $"d to s"(:
"For .ost +(o+,( inc,3din) addicts&&& 1&#; .i,,i)ra.s +(r ,it(r o- Mor+hin(
is a si)ni-icant ,(*(,, and -or .ost o- th(., a )r(at +(rc(nta)(, it wi,, '( a ,(*(,
that wi,, ind3c( a stat( o- 3nconscio3sn(ss 23it( 23ic5,y, w(<r( ta,5in) a'o3t
s(conds, not .in3t(s&7 :e#$t &"ter "dded: "I >3st cannot t(,, yo3 that it wo3,d ha*(
'((n i.+ossi',( -or hi. to ha*( shot hi.s(,- '(ca3s( it was -o3nd h( had a ,(*(,
o- 1&#; .i,,i)ra.s +(r ,it(r o- .or+hin( at th( +ost.ort(. (9a.ination& It<s
c(rtain,y within th( r(a,. o- +ossi'i,ity, '3t it do(s rais( a 23(stion as to wh(th(r
or not h( shot that shot)3n&7
T$en 7e $e"r 5ro% Dr. Don"&d Re"(3 t$e Se"tt&e Medi#"& e="%iner:
"It<s r(a,,y an iss3( o- to,(ranc(, how .3ch is this +(rson 3s(d to& I- a +(rson has
)rad3a,,y o*(r .onths or y(ars incr(as(d th( dos(, a +(rson co3,d -3nction with
that a.o3nt o- dr3)s, narcotics, or what(*(r it is +r(s(nt in th( syst(.& A)ain, so
.3ch o- it d(+(nds on indi*id3a, to,(ranc( o*(r a +(riod o- ti.(&7 (3 p4.0!
T$is 7"s #ert"in&( " #&e6er response '( Dr. Re"(. A person #"n '*i&d *p "n
e=tre%e&( $i4$ to&er"n#e to so%e dr*4s3 '*t 7e?re t"&8in4 "'o*t $eroin to&er"n#e &e6e&s
spe#i5i#"&&(. T$ere is " tre%endo*s "%o*nt o5 rese"r#$ d"t" "6"i&"'&e "'o*t $eroin
to&er"n#e &e6e&s 5or $"rd #ore "ddi#ts "nd $eroin %i=ed 7it$ Di"Gep"%. It "ppe"rs t$"t
t$e opinions o5 Re"( "nd :e#$t ste% 5ro% " 6er( s"5e3 #onser6"ti6e3 "nd non,#o%%itt"&
re"#tion to t$e P*estion3 r"t$er t$"n 5ro% "#t*"& #&ini#"& e=perien#e 7it$ si%i&"r #"ses or
s(ste%"ti# rese"r#$ into t$e s*';e#t %"tter. (3 p4.02!
T$e $eroin (%orp$ine! &e6e& 5o*nd in Co'"in?s '&ood s(ste% "5ter $is 'od( 7"s
5o*nd 7"s ..2 %4 per &iter o5 '&ood. T$is "%o*nts to t$ree ti%es " &et$"& dose3 e6en 5or
" $"rd#ore $eroin "ddi#tJ Di"Gep"%3 (I"&i*%!3 7"s "&so present in Co'"in?s '&ood
s(ste%. T$e e<cessive o6erdose r"ises so%e 6er( 5*nd"%ent"& P*estions: (3 p4.02!
A' I! Co'"in in;e#ted $i%se&5 7it$ " de&i'er"te $eroin o6erdose3 7$( 7o*&d $e
A@SO s$oot $i%se&5 in t$e $e"d 7it$ " s$ot4*n3 &e"6in4 i%"4es o5
destr*#tion "nd 6io&en#e 5or $is 'e&o6ed d"*4$terD
G' I5 $e re"&&( 7"nted to die3 7$( not ;*st K4o to s&eepL on t$e o6erdose "nd
ne6er 7"8e *pD
C' I5 Co'"in in;e#ted $i%se&5 7it$ t$ree ti%es " &et$"& dose o5 $eroin3 COU@D $e
t$en pi#8 *p " s$ot4*n "nd s$oot $i%se&5D :o*&dn?t $e $"6e 'een
i%%edi"te&( in#"p"#it"tedD
A##ordin4 to t$e e=perts3 ;*st 0.. %4H& in t$e '&ood o5 " 6er( "ddi#ted person is
de"d&(. Co'"in $"d trip&e t$"t "%o*nt in $is '&ood s(ste%. T$e Di"Gep"% (re&"ted to
6"&i*%! t$"t 7"s 5o*nd in $is s(ste% 7o*&d $"6e %"de t$e e55e#ts o5 t$e $eroin e6en
7orse. :it$ t$"t &et$"& dose in $is 'od(3 K*rt 7o*&d not $"6e t$e ti%e "nd t$e #&"rit( o5
%ind to p*t "7"( $is $eroin %"teri"& in t$e #i4"r 'o=3 ro&& do7n "t &e"st one s&ee6e "nd
'*tton it *p3 t"8e t$e 4*n "nd s$oot $i%se&5 in t$e %o*t$. (22!
A Be&4i"n ne7sp"per "#t*"&&( ti%ed it: Ro&& do7n " s&ee6e3 '*tton it *p3 p*t t$ree
spoons in " 'o= "nd p*t " 'ott&e o5 7"ter in t$e %o*t$. T$e( tested it t$ree ti%es3 ne6er
6er( 5"st. E"#$ ti%e t$e( needed "'o*t 20se# to 5inis$. :it$ t$"t "%o*nt o5 $eroin in t$e
'&ood stre"% (o* 7o*&d 'e#o%e *n#ons#io*s or de"d 7it$in se#onds. So%eti%es
6i#ti%s o5 "n OD die d*rin4 in;e#tion "nd "re 5o*nd 7it$ t$e need&e sti&& sti#8in4 in t$eir
"r%. K*rt 7"s not #"p"'&e o5 #&e"nin4 *p $is 7or8s "nd t$en s$ootin4 $i%se&5. F"n I"n
Bo=&s&"er3 pro5essor To=i#o&o4( "t t$e *ni6ersit( o5 >$ent is 'ot$ered '( t$e #o%'in"tion
o5 $eroin "nd " 6io&ent s*i#ide. <Be#"*se it is s*#$ " #ontr"di#tion3 7$en (o*9re $i4$ on
$eroin3 (o* "re $"pp(3 it doesn9t %"8e (o* 6io&ent "t "&&. A&%ost e6er( $eroin "ddi#t 7$o
7"nts to 8i&& $i%se&5 7i&& #$oose to OD. T$ere isn9t one #"se 8no7n to %e o5 " 6io&ent
s*i#ide in #o%'in"tion 7it$ $eroin.< (22!
To t$is d"te3 no rese"r#$er $"s 5o*nd "not$er #"se in6o&6in4 " s$ot4*n '&"st "nd
" $eroin o6erdose3 7$ere t$e $eroin (%orp$ine! '&ood &e6e& 7"s "n(7$ere ne"r t$"t
5o*nd in K*rt. No one e&se $"s e6er s*r6i6ed " $eroin o6erdose o5 t$is %"4nit*de &on4
eno*4$ to e6en pi#8 *p " handgun1 %*#$ &ess " shotgun1 "nd t$en s$oot $i%se&5. (3
p4.20! T$e to=i#o&o4( in5or%"tion #&e"r&( indi#"tes t$e e=tre%e&( $i4$ &e6e& o5 $eroin. In
#o%'in"tion 7it$ " s$ot4*n '&"st3 t$is is one o5 t$e most uniUue1 most inconsist(nt
de"t$s to 'e r*&ed Ks*i#ideL t$"t $"s e6er 'een re#orded. (3 p4.20!
C)A+TER - , UNKNO:N SOURCES
Co*rtne( is on t"pe "t " 4i4 in 22 'r"44in4 "'o*t *sin4 $eroin 7it$ K*rt.
Co*rtne( "&so did " I"nit( F"ir inter6ie73 "nd ;o*rn"&ist @(nn )irs#$'er4 7rote t$"t
Co*rtne( $"d 8no7in4&( t"8en $eroin "5ter s$e $"d 5o*nd o*t s$e 7"s pre4n"nt. T$e
"rti#&e #"*sed " &ot o5 pro'&e%s 5or t$e Co'"ins. Co*rtne( denied t$"t s$e e6er s"id t$"t
to )irs#$'er4 "nd #&"i%ed s$e 7"s %isP*oted "nd t$"t $er #o%%ent 7"s reported o*t
o5 #onte=t. )irs#$'er4?s rep&( 7"s t$"t s$e re#orded t$e inter6ie7 "nd $"s it on t"pe.
K*rt "nd Co*rtne( t$en &ost #*stod( o5 t$eir d"*4$ter "nd 7$en t$e( 4ot #*stod(
o5 Fr"n#es '"#83 in No6e%'er 222 Co*rtne( 7"s p$onin4 "not$er ;o*rn"&ist (Rossi!
"nd st"rtin4 o55 t$e 7$o&e dr*4 t$in4 "4"in: KK*rt is o55 $is $e"d on $eroinL "nd KI?6e &ost
%( $*s'"nd to dr*4sL. :$en (o* see pi#t*res o5 K*rt in 22- " &ot o5 t$e ti%e $e &oo8s
5"ir&( nor%"& "nd #&e"n "nd t$ere "re peop&e to '"#8 t$"t *p. Co*rtne( 7"s en4"4in4 in
*nder$"nded "tte%pts to 'rin4 "'o*t %isin5or%"tion "nd %isper#eption.
K*rt?s %ent"& st"te in $is &"st d"(s is portr"(ed in %"instre"% p*'&i#"tions "s
*nst"'&e "nd s*i#id"&. T$e 5o&&o7in4 P*otes #"&& into P*estion t$e so*r#e(s! 7$o pro%ote
t$e KK*rt "s s*i#ide #"ndid"teL &ie:
At N.B@am 9April And1: (o%ain too* a ta<i into town !or %ullets...a!ter a desultory
%rea*!ast and a visit to his heroin dealer1 (o%ain spent M minutes vainly trying to contact
&ove at the 6everly 5ills "eninsula (2.3 p4.-2.,-2/!.
A po&i#e report %entions t$is #"' ride. T$e 5o&&o7in4 in5or%"tion 7"s s*pp&ied to
t$e po&i#e '( t$e s*perintendent o5 t$e >r"( Top C"' #o%p"n(:
The driver went to &a*e $ashington 6lvd on April And at N.B@ am. 5e pic*ed up a
person who he thought did not match the residence. 5e drove around loo*ing !or a place
to !ind %ullets1 %ut was una%le to !ind one. This male told the driver that he had recently
%een %urgled and needed %ullets. At L.B@ am1 the driver dropped the man o!! in the area
o! DG> th and Aurora %ecause he said he was hungry and wanted to get something to
eat. The man/s !are was FAN.
S"nd5ord o%itted t$e 6it"& 5"#t t$"t t$e dri6er %entioned " (urg%$r3. K*rt to&d
D(&"n C"r&son $e 7"nted t$e 4*n 5or )rotection $g$inst )ro/%ers3 t$is po&i#e report
"#t*"&&( rein5or#es t$"t on Apri& 2nd K*rt 7"s concerned $(out )erson$%
s$#et37securit3. T$e report %"8es it #&e"r t$"t Co*rtne( $erse&5 #ont"#ted >r"( Top
C"'s reP*estin4 t$is in5or%"tion3 so Co*rtne( 7"s "7"re o5 t$e det"i&sHti%e o5 t$is
;o*rne(.
)o7 does S"nd5ord 8no7 K*rt 7ent to $is de"&ersD :$i#$ de"&erD S"nd5ord on&(
4ot #ert"in 'its o5 in5or%"tion on t$is #"' ;o*rne(. Cert"in K*nn"%ed so*r#esL 4"6e $i%
t$is in#o%p&ete in5or%"tion. M"('e K*rt $"d " re"&&( ni#e 're"85"st3 so 7$( does
S"nd5ord i%pose ne4"ti6e o6ertones to 7$"t K*rt 7"s doin4 (<desultory %rea*!ast<!.
:$o "re S"nd5ord?s so*r#esD :$( is no identit( o55ered to t$e%D :it$ re4"rds to K*rt
tr(in4 to re"#$ Co*rtne( "t t$e +enins*&" )ote&3 "##ordin4 to :"&&"#e E )"&perin3 "n
"rti#&e "ppe"red in Spin in 22.3 in 7$i#$ t$e +enins*&" denied t$"t t$is #"&& e6er too8
p&"#e. (-3 p4.24!.
&ater that a!ternoon 9o! April And: he met a !riend on (apitol 5ill1 gave her the *eys to
his 8olvo and made a sign to her with his hand signi!ying a gun held to his head. (2.3
p4.-2/.!
)ere 7e $"6e "n *nn"%ed 5riend "nd K*rt?s %ent"& st"te $i4$&i4$ted. T$e po&i#e
report indi#"tes t$"t K*rt *sed t$e ser6i#es o5 " #"' #o%p"n( on t$e %ornin4 o5 Apri&
2nd. :$( did K*rt *se " #"' in t$e %ornin4 (et s*pposed&( dri6e $is o7n #"r in t$e
"5ternoonD :$en t$e po&i#e "rri6ed "t $is $o*se on Apri& 1t$ it is spe#i5i#"&&( %entioned
in t$eir report t$"t " Io&6o re4istr"tion :A &i# 0. ERA 7"s in t$e 4"r"4e "nd "&& 4 tires
7ere 5&"t. A##ordin4 to S"nd5ord (p4.-0/!3 K*rt?s #"r did $"6e t$"t re4istr"tion3 so 7$(
7ere t$e tires 5&"tD Co*&d it $"6e 'een " t"#ti# '( 7o*&d 'e %*rderers to ens*re K*rt?s
%o'i&it( 7"s $inderedD I5 t$e tires 7ere 5&"t on Apri& 2nd3 t$"t 7o*&d e=p&"in 7$( $e *sed
" #"' t$"t %ornin4. It 7o*&d "&so %e"n t$"t t$e stor( reported in S"nd5ord?s 'oo8 is not
'e tr*e.
April Brd1 (harles "eterson saw Kurt in downtown Seattle and thought him 4gone/.
(S"nd5ord p4.-2/! )ere "re +eterson?s o7n 7ords re%e%'erin4 K*rt3 "5ter $is de"t$:
,$hat stic*s in my mind is actually running into him on the street a%out two
wee*s %e!ore he1 %e!ore he *illed himsel!. And it was -ust1 you *now1 I guess in relation
to events1 I/m glad that I did. I/m glad that I saw him. $e tal*ed and he1 we e<changed
phone num%ers and he was really happy a%out the %oo*1 my %oo* o! photographs that
I/m doing. 5e was li*e1 4Alright1 at last1 get the real thing/. And he was1 we chatted and
he was concerned a%out my wi!e/s illness and -ust really1 you *now....that stic*s in my
mind.7 (So*r#e3 QNir6"n"3 Teen Spirit3 A Tri'*te to K*rt Co'"in? Iideo.! So K*rt did not
see% depressed "nd s*i#id"&. S"nd5ord "&so 7rote on p4.-.: <@i8e %"n( o5 $is #&ose
5riends3 +eterson re4rets t$"t neit$er Co'"in nor $is 5"%i&( to&d $i% t$"t $e $"d "&re"d(
tried to 8i&& $i%se&5.<
o%ody 2 at least no%ody who is tal*ing o!!icially22saw Kurt a!ter April And1 when
neigh%ours spotted him in the ad-acent par*1 loo*ing !orlorn as he sat on a %ench. It was
a warm day1 %ut he was dressed in many layers o! clothing1 as i! to %lan*et himsel!
against the %itter cold o! his reality (M. Rossi3 p 21.!
A4"in3 stress is 4i6en to K*rt?s %iser"'&e st"te o5 %ind 'e#"*se $e 7"s dressed
in"ppropri"te&( 5or t$e 7e"t$er. K*rt 7"s 8no7n to 7e"r %*&tip&e &"(ers o5 #&ot$in4 to
$ide t$e 5"#t t$"t $e 7"s s8inn(. See Broo%5ie&d?s inter6ie7 7it$ Tr"#( M"r"nder3 7$ere
s$e t"&8s "'o*t K*rt?s $"'it o5 7e"rin4 &"(ers o5 #&ot$in4. To tr( "nd *se $is #$oi#e o5
#&ot$in4 to s$o7 K*rt?s st"te o5 %ind is ridi#*&o*s.
?n April Brd (o%ain met a woman named Sara 5oehn on 6roadway. 5e was in
a !oul temper a%out a report that G@1@@@ !ans had lined the street that morning to %uy
tic*ets !or an Eagles concert in &A 4$e might as well not have happened/1 is 5oehn/s
memory o! his words. (2.3 p4.-2/.!
)ere 7e 5in"&&( $"6e " n"%ed 7itness 7$o testi5ies t$"t K*rt 7"s in " 5o*& %ood.
B*t s$e 7ent on to 4i6e re"son3 "nd no7$ere does it i%p&( t$"t $is %ood is d*e to
"n(t$in4 ot$er t$"n t$"t $e 7"s pissed o55 "'o*t ti#8et s"&es 5or "n E"4&e?s #on#ert. No
%ention $ere "'o*t $i% &oo8in4 d"n4ero*s&( dr*44ed or *n'"&"n#ed.
:o*&d " %"n p*rported to 'e in s*#$ " %ent"&&( 5r"4i&e st"te 'e #on#erned "'o*t
$o7 %"n( ti#8ets 7ere so&d 5or "n E"4&es #on#ertD :o*&dn?t $e $"6e 'een %ore &i8e&( to
$"6e r"i&ed "'o*t $is o7n pro'&e%sD Note3 "&on4side " si4$tin4 o5 K*rt '( Fo$n Si&6" on
t$is d"(3 t$ese "re t$e &"st si4$tin4s o5 K*rt "&i6e '( peop&e 7$o 8ne7 $i%.
$hat didn/t ma*e the media was the multitude o! rumours that tric*led up !rom
the -un*ie world that Kurt was %uying rounds !rom the drug dealers 2putting up money !or
everyone present and that he was horri%ly depressedJ that he was clearly trying to
overdose0 that while dealers would sell him as much as he wanted1 they didn/t want him
hanging around and dying on them1 leaving a star corpse to dispose o!0 that he said
(ourtney was having an a!!air with 6illy (organ and had told him a%out it in #ome0 and
that this con!ession was what had lead to the overdose there. ,$here are my !riends
when I need them+7 he lamented to one dealer. (Rossi p 21!.
No n"%es 5or t$ese peop&e 7$o s"7 K*rt. O5 #o*rse t$is #o*&d 'e 'e#"*se dr*4s
7ere in6o&6ed "nd t$e( 7"nted to re%"in "non(%o*s. Ret D(&"n C"r&son 7"s not on&(
K*rt?s 5riend3 '*t "&so " $eroin s*pp&ier3 "nd D(&"n to&d po&i#e $e did not $e"r 5ro% or see
K*rt "5ter M"r#$ -0t$. As " ;*n8ie $i%se&53 D(&"n 7o*&d 'e 5"%i&i"r 7it$ "n( dr*4
#onne#tions K*rt %"( $"6e $"d. It ;*st isn?t possi'&e to 'e&ie6e t$"t K*rt 7"s doin4 "&&
t$is dr*4 t"8in4 "nd t$"t D(&"n 7"s *n"7"re o5 it. I5 K*rt 7"s 'in4in4 on $eroin to t$e
e=tent #&"i%ed3 D(&"n 7o*&d $"6e $e"rd "'o*t it. F*rt$er3 7$en >r"nt "rri6ed in Se"tt&e
on Apri& /t$3 D(&"n too8 $i% to "&& o5 K*rt?s tr"dition"& $"n4o*ts3 '*t no'od( $"d seen
$i% (-3 p4.22!. So 7$o to 'e&ie6eD A 7$o&e '*n#$ o5 *nn"%ed so*r#es3 or D(&"n
C"r&son "nd To% >r"ntD
T$ese *nn"%ed so*r#es "ppe"r to 'e " #on#erted "tte%pt to pro6ide 5"&se tr"i&s.
T$e pre6io*s *nn"%ed P*ote 7"s t"&8in4 "'o*t Ro%e3 "nd "n "55"ir Co*rtne( $"d 7it$
Bi&&( Cor4"n3 in "n "tte%pt to e=p&"in 7$( K*rt 7"s depressed "nd tr(in4 to 8i&& $i%se&5.
M"('e t$e "*t$ors 7ere 5ed 5"&se in5or%"tion. In t$e "#8no7&ed4e%ents o5 Rossi?s 'oo83
"5ter t$e n"%ed peop&e3 Rossi in#&*ded:
Ka whole %unch o! ,Deep Throats7 who don/t want their names mentionedL.
:$o 7o*&d $"6e 'een "'&e to %"nip*&"te t$e p&"ntin4 o5 t$ese storiesD It 7o*&d
need to 'e so%eone 7$o 8ne7 $o7 to p&"( t$e %edi" 4"%e3 "nd 7$o $"d "##ess to
;o*rn"&ists "nd "*t$ors. O'6io*s&( it needed to 'e so%eone 7it$ "n *nderst"ndin4 o5 t$e
dr*4 s#ene o5 Se"tt&e. It needed to 'e so%eone 7$o 7"s "ro*nd "t t$e ti%e3 7$o #o*&d
"ssess t$e 'est peop&e 5or t$e ;o'3 'e it t$ose 4*&&i'&e eno*4$ to 'e&ie6e 5"&se
in5or%"tion3 or t$ose 7$o 7o*&d do it 5or p"(%ent. :$o 7o*&d 'e t$e 'est #"ndid"te 5or
t$isD +ro'"'&( " ;*n8ie3 so%eone 7$o $"d "##ess to t$e dr*4 *nder4ro*nd3 so%eone
7$o $"d so%et$in4 to 4"in 5ro% 5"&se in5or%"tion &e"8in4 o*t3 so%eone 7$o 7"s
in6o&6ed in so%e 7"( 7it$ t$e %*rder. 9C"&i9 De:itt "nd Co*rtne( @o6e $"6e "#ted
s*spi#io*s&( t$ro*4$o*t3 "nd 'ot$ "re e%inent&( P*"&i5ied to %"nip*&"te t$e &e"8in4 o5
5"&se in5or%"tion.
The coroners report would list April >th as (o%ain/s estimated date o! death1 %ut
this was re!uted %y !riends who claimed (o%ain placed calls to them on April Mth. (Rossi
p 22!. A4"in3 no n"%es 5or t$ese 5riends. F*st 7$o 7ere t$e(D D(&"n didn?t re#ei6e "
#"&&3 $e s"id: KI tal*ed to (ali1 who said he had seen Kurt on Saturday 9April And1: %ut I
couldn/t get hold o! him mysel!L. C$"r&es +eterson didn?t. M"r8 @"ne4"n s"id $e didn?t
$e"r 5ro% K*rt in t$"t &"st 7ee8: KKurt hadn/t called me. 5e hadn/t called some other
people. 5e hadn/t called his !amily. 5e hadn/t called any%odyL. @"ne4"n 7ent on to s"(
t$"t $e $"d 'een &oo8in4 5or K*rt 5or "'o*t " 7ee8 'e5ore $e 7"s 5o*nd: KI had a !eeling
something real %ad had happenedK. (43 p4.1-!
Most peop&e "ss*%e K*rt died eit$er on Apri& .t$ or /t$3 '*t i5 To% >r"nt is
#orre#t t$"t K*rt 7"s %*rdered Apri& -rdHe"r&( 4t$3 it 7o*&d e=p&"in 7$( none o5 $is
5riends s"7 $i%3 $e"rd 5ro% $i%3 7ere "'&e to #ont"#t $i% or 7ere "7"re o5 t$e dr*4
'in4e t$"t $e 7"s s*pposed&( on. :$"t "re 7e to %"8e o5 t$ese #"&&sD :$"t possi'&e
re"son 5or t$eir e=isten#eD Co*&d t$e( 'e "n "tte%pt to %is&e"d peop&e into 'e&ie6in4
K*rt died on or "ro*nd Apri& /t$D T$"t #"n 'e t$e on&( &o4i#"& #on#&*sion. I5 K*rt 7"s
%*rdered3 t$en 7$oe6er 7"s responsi'&e 7o*&d 4"in '( disse%in"tin4 "s %*#$
%isin5or%"tion "s possi'&e3 to '&*r t$e ed4es3 to pro6ide 5"&se &e"ds "nd "&i'is. T$e &"st
re&i"'&e 7itnesses to see K*rt "&i6e 7ere S"r" )oe$n "nd Fo$n Si&6"3 on Apri& -rd. No
one e&se s"7 K*rt "5ter t$is.
>r"nt st"tes t$"t " 5e7 7ee8s "5ter K*rt?s de"t$ $e e6ent*"&&( %"n"4ed to spe"8
to C"&i3 7$o "d%itted t$"t $e #$e#8ed t$e 4reen$o*se on S*nd"(3 Apri& -rd. :"s t$is
'e5ore or "5ter t$e )oe$nHSi&6" si4$tin4sD I5 it 7"s "5ter3 t$en t$"t 7o*&d p&"#e C"&i in t$e
6er( spot K*rt died3 on t$e s"%e d"( K*rt 7ent %issin4 5ro% t$e r"d"r. M"('e no7 7e
see t$e re"son 5or t$ose p$one #"&&s "nd *nn"%ed so*r#es 7$o #&"i%ed to $"6e seen
K*rt.
K*rt9s %ot$er insisted t$"t t$o*4$ t$e p"pers s*44ested K*rt $"d s$ot $i%se&5 on
Apri& .t$3 s$e 'e&ie6ed it $"d $"ppened t$e 5o&&o7in4 d"(. KI !elt it almost the moment he
had gone3L s$e e=p&"ined3 s*44estin4 $e?d #"&&ed $er "t ..-0 p% on Apri& /t$3 e6en
t$o*4$ $e didn?t s"( "n(t$in4. (QK*rt Co'"in?3 p*'&is$ed '( O&i6er 'oo8s!. T$is #o*&d
$"6e 'een "n "tte%pt '( t$e %*rderers to &e"d O?Connor into t$in8in4 t$"t t$is 7"s K*rt.
T$is 7o*&d tie in 7it$ t$e 5"&se in5or%"tion "nd #&"i%s t$"t K*rt #"&&ed 5riends on Apri&
/t$.
T$e ti%in43 ..-0p%3 is interestin4. >r"nt 7ondered i5 Co*rtne( $"d "tte%pted to
4et K*rt?s 'od( dis#o6ered on Apri& /t$ '( reP*estin4 t$e e&e#tri#i"ns 7or8ed on &i4$t
%onitors 5or t$e 4reen$o*se. I5 t$ese 7or8ers 5inis$ed 7or8 'e5ore ..-0 Co*rtne( 7o*&d
8no7 t$"t t$e( $"d %"de no s*#$ dis#o6er(3 "nd pro#eeded to *se t$e /t$ "s "n e=tr"
d"( in 7$i#$ to p&"nt 5"&se &e"ds. T$e i%port"nt t$in4 to re%e%'er is t$"t 7$oe6er it
7"s3 t2e3 did not s)e$<.
Misin5or%ed %edi" o*t&ets s"( t$"t in t$e d"(s 'e5ore $is de"t$3 K*rt spent "t
&e"st one ni4$t on t$e propert( "t C"rn"tion 7it$ C"it&in Moore. A##ordin4 to Co*rtne(3
Moore $"d 'een $"6in4 "n "55"ir 7it$ K*rt3 s$e 7"s "&so3 "##ordin4 to Co*rtne(3 one o5
$is de"&ers. K*rt 7"s dr*4 #&e"n on t$e E*rope"n to*r3 $e 7"s #&e"n "t t$e ti%e o5 t$e
Ro%e o6erdose on M"r#$ 4t$. K*rt did not ret*rn to Se"tt&e *nti& M"r#$ 2t$. So
'et7een t$"t d"te "nd M"r#$ 2.t$ 7$en t$e inter6ention too8 p&"#e3 Co*rtne( 7o*&d
$"6e *s 'e&ie6e t$"t K*rt de6e&oped " %"ssi6e $eroin $"'it "nd 'e#"%e in6o&6ed
inHres*%ed "n "55"ir 7it$3 C"it&in Moore. A&& t$is 7it$in t$e sp"#e o5 - d"(s3 "t " ti%e
7$en K*rt 7"s p$(si#"&&( dep&eted d*e to i&&ness "nd 7"s re#o6erin4 5ro% " ne"r 5"t"&
o6erdose.
It 7"s Co*rtne( 7$o e%p$"sised to >r"nt t$"t C"it&in 7"s $"6in4 "n "55"ir 7it$
K*rt. Co*rtne( spe#i5i#"&&( reP*ested t$"t >r"nt 8ept "n e(e on Moore?s $o*se3 e6en
t$o*4$ s$e 8ne7 K*rt $"d 'een '"#8 to 0 @8e :"s$ B&6d3 " 5"#t s$e didn?t te&& >r"nt.
K*rt did not "ppe"r on t$e 6ideo s*r6ei&&"n#e o5 Moore?s $o*se3 "nd Co*rtne( s$o7ed
no interest in 6ie7in4 t$is 5i&%. Co*rtne( 8ne7 5*&& 7e&& t$"t t$is 7o*&d &e"d no7$ere "nd
t$"t it 7o*&d di6ert "ttention "7"( 5ro% 0. A&& re5eren#es to C"it&in ori4in"te 5ro%
Co*rtne( "nd it see%s t$"t t$ese 7ere p*rpose5*& &ies. C"it&in %"( 7e&& $"6e 'een "
de"&er3 '*t s$e pro'"'&( p&"(ed " s%"&& ro&e in K*rt?s &i5e.
The police reported that two people say that (o%ain/s (apitol 5ill heroin dealer
told them (o%ain had come %y her apartment the night o! April >th. The dealer denied
this. (43 p4.1/! I5 t$is de"&er 7"s C"it&in3 t$en s$e $erse&5 denies seein4 K*rt. T$e
*nn"%ed peop&e 7$o initi"&&( %"de t$is #&"i% to t$e po&i#e #o*&d 'e "n(one tr(in4 to "dd
#on5*sion to t$e sit*"tion. T$ese so*r#es %"de 5"&se3 %is&e"din4 #&"i%s to t$e po&i#e
"nd s$o*&d 'e in6esti4"ted.
She 9(ourtney: suspected that he'd %een with a !emale dealer1 %ut when
(ourtney and Kat turned up at the dealers apartment1 screaming and all %ut *noc*ing
the door down1 the dealer swore Kurt hadn7t %een there during that wee*. ,And I
%elieved her71 said (ourtney. (Rossi p 20!.
I5 Co*rtne( 7"s *sin4 C"it&in "s " s%o8es#reen3 it 7"s in Co*rtne(?s interests to
%"8e o*t s$e 'e&ie6ed $er o7n stor(3 so t$is episode 7"s p*t *p to i%p&( Co*rtne( 7"s
tr(in4 to 5ind o*t 7$ere K*rt $"d 'een. B*t t$en t$is 5e%"&e de"&er $"s no7 t7i#e denied
seein4 K*rt. I 'et C"it&in 7ondered 7$"t 7"s 4oin4 on. S$e 'e#"%e "n *n7ittin4
p"rti#ip"nt in one o5 Co*rtne(?s "tte%pts to %is&e"d. Mo6in4 on to t$e s*pposed 6isit '(
K*rt to C"rn"tion3 t$e Se"tt&e +ost Inte&&i4en#er3 d"ted Mond"( Apri& t$ 2243
reported:
According to &ove0 he 9(o%ain: apparently spent one night with un*nown guest
at a home the couple owns in (arnation. Kurt Tra%out who lives near%y1 said he had not
seen Kurt since %e!ore Than*sgiving1 when he saw (o%ain drive past in his gray 8olvo.
5owever1 Tra%out said he noticed !resh tire trac*s leading to (o%ain/s house last
monday.
<@"st Mond"(< 7o*&d $"6e 'een Apri& 4t$. To% >r"nt 'e&ie6ed K*rt died Apri&
-rdHe"r&( 4t$. )e 'e&ie6es t$is on t$e 5o*nd"tion t$"t Co*rtne( 5i&ed t$e %issin4 persons
report "t "ppro= 2"% Apri& 4t$. In t$is report s$e stressed t$"t K*rt 7"s %issin43 possi'&(
*sin4 $eroin3 s*i#id"& "nd $"d " 4*n. >r"nt 'e&ie6es t$"t K*rt 7"s "&re"d( de"d '( t$e
ti%e Co*rtne( 5i&ed t$is3 "nd t$"t s$e 8ne7 t$e %et$od , 4*ns$ot 7o*nd "nd $eroin *se
, '( 7$i#$ $e died3 $en#e $er e%p$"sis on s*i#ide "nd t$e 4*nH$eroin3 7$i#$ *&ti%"te&(
t$e po&i#e "##epted "s proo5 t$"t K*rt 7"s s*i#id"& "nd 7"s &i8e&( to $"6e *sed t$e 4*n
to 8i&& $i%se&5.
I5 To% is ri4$t3 t$en K*rt #o*&d not $"6e 'een "t C"rn"tion on Apri& 4t$. And &et?s
not 5or4et t$"t t$e &"st re&i"'&e 7itnesses to see K*rt "&i6e 7ere Fo$n Si&6" "nd S"r"
)oe$n on Apri& -rd. Mi#$"e& 9C"&i9 De:itt 7"s ro"%in4 "ro*nd Se"tt&e3 possi'&( p&"ntin4
5"&se &e"ds. )e #o*&d $"6e dri6en to C"rn"tion ;*st "s e"si&( "s "n(one e&se. Tire tr"#8s
"re ;*st t$"t3 t$e( do not pro6e t$"t K*rt 7"s "t C"rn"tion.
The police %elieve he was driven %y a woman to (arnation. According to &ove1 a
%lue sleeping %ag she had never seen %e!ore was !ound in the house1 along with
cigarette %utts1 some smudged with lipstic*1 a drawing o! a sun with the words ,cheer
up7. (S"nd5ord p4.-2/!
T$e p$r"se Kt$e po&i#e 'e&ie6eL i%p&ies t$"t t$e( don?t "#t*"&&( 8no73 t$e( ;*st
'e&ie6e. T$is s$o7s t$e( didn?t "#t*"&&( in6esti4"te t$e%se&6es '*t on#e "4"in too8
Co*rtne(?s st"te%ents "s "'so&*te proo5 t$"t it $"ppened. T$e Se"tt&e po&i#e $"6e
persistent&( re5*sed to in6esti4"te t$is #ri%e , "n "'so&*te dis4r"#e. I $"6en?t seen
%ention on "n( Se"tt&e po&i#e report t$"t t$e( in6esti4"ted t$is 6isit. To% >r"nt 6isited
t$is propert( 7it$ Co*rtne( s$ort&( "5ter K*rt?s de"t$3 '*t none o5 $is in5or%"tion e6er
%"de it into t$e %"instre"% pressH%edi". :e #"n re"son'&( #on#&*de t$"t C"rn"tion
"nd C"it&in 7ere "n "tte%pt to distr"#t 5ro% t$e 5"#t t$"t K*rt 7"s %*rdered Apri&
-rdHe"r&( 4t$.
It #o%es do7n to t$e '"si# P*estion o5 7$et$er 7e #"n 'e&ie6e Co*rtne(3 7it$
$er $i4$&( s*spi#io*s *nn"%ed so*r#es3 "nd t$e in#o%petent Se"tt&e po&i#e. :$en
in5or%"tion #o%es 5ro% Co*rtne(3 it %*st 'e disse#ted3 interro4"ted3 "nd serio*s&(
P*estioned. T$e Se"tt&e po&i#e 7on?t do it. T$e %"instre"% press (Ti%e :"rner,o7ned
CNN3 Entert"in%ent :ee8&( "nd +eop&e3 Ii"#o%?s I)HMTI3 et#.! 7on?t do it. So,#"&&ed
'io4r"p$ers s*#$ "s S"nd5ord "nd C$"r&es Cross 7on?t do it. K*rt deser6es t$"t t$ese
P*estions "re "s8ed on $is 'e$"&5.
No7 to 5o#*s so&e&( on Me&iss" Rossi. )er 'oo8 7"s t$e 5irst to re"&&( 'rin4 t$ese
*nn"%ed so*r#es to po7er. Unti& $er 'oo83 7e $"d t$e &i8es o5:
. D"6e T$o%pson?s3 QNe6er F"de A7"(:T$e K*rt Co'"in Stor(? p*'&is$ed in 224.
T$o%pson %entioned K*rt?s p"rti"&it( 5orHpreo##*p"tion 7it$ mil*sha*es.
2. S"nd5ord?s QK*rt Co'"in? p*'&is$ed 22.. S"nd5ord %entioned K*rt?s %e%or( &oss "nd
possi'&e i%p"ir%ent o5 ;*d4%ent3 "5ter Ro%e. )e e6en #o%%ented on t$e di55erin4
"##o*nts 'et7een t$e o55i#i"& (n"%ed3! "nd *no55i#i"& (*nn"%ed! so*r#es3 it?s " s$"%e
t$"t t$ese dis#rep"n#ies 7ere "&&o7ed to 4o *n#$"&&en4ed. On p -02 S"nd5ord 7rote:
$here sources as*ed !or anonymity 2usually citing !riendship with (o%ain/s widow 2
every e!!ort was made to persuade them to go on the record. $here this was not
possi%le I have used the phrase 4a witness/ or 4a colleague/ as appropriate.
-. Ni#8 :ise?s QCo*rtne( @o6e?3 p*'&is$ed 22.. :ise 6oi#ed t$e P*estion "s to
Co*rtne(?s 7$ere"'o*ts "t t$e ti%e o5 $is Ks*i#ideL.
4. S*s"n :i&son?s Q)o&e: @oo8 T$ro*4$ T$is? p*'&is$ed 22.. )ere it 7"s 7ritten t$e
pres#ription 5or Ro$(pno& 7"s Co*rtne(?s.
In s$ort3 t$ere 7ere &oose ends "nd roo% 5or n"44in4 do*'ts e6er(7$ere. Rossi
7"s to #onso&id"te "nd e%po7er t$e %i4$t( *nn"%ed so*r#es. Rossi see%ed to 8no7
$er so*r#es3 s$e "ns7ered &in4erin4 P*estions3 "nd pro6ided t$e %ost in dept$ pi#t*re
"6"i&"'&e3 7$i#$ &e5t no roo% to do*'t K*rt 7"s s*i#id"& "nd t"8in4 dr*4s to e=#ess "5ter
Ro%e. S$e 7"s Co*rtne(?s Kin5or%"tion #ond*itL '*t not in t$e 7"( s$e 'e&ie6ed. )ere
"re " 5e7 e="%p&es3 "&& o5 7$i#$ re5er to t$e d"(s "5ter t$e Ro%e in#ident.
Kurt/s response to the increasing li*elihood o! a %rea* up 9at (ourtney/s wishes1:
was to dull his pain with more heroin0 %e!ore he le!t #ome1 he/d made arrangements !or
a dealer to hide some in the %ushes near the Seattle house. (Rossi3 p 20!.
No n"%e 5or t$e so*r#e o5 t$is in5or%"tion. E%p$"sis on $eroin "nd Co*rtne(
&e"6in4 K*rt3 not K*rt &e"6in4 Co*rtne(. Rossi s"(s (p"4es 14,1.! t$"t K*rt 7"s
depressed "5ter t$e #on#ert on Fe' 223 e6en t$o*4$ s$e "d%its K*rt?s per5or%"n#e 7"s
4ood. S$e s"(s t$"t K*rt 7"s "&one in Ro%e3 "nd t$"t $is 'irt$d"( $"d p"ssed 7it$ no
#"rdsH7ords 5ro% $is p"rents. S$e s"(s t$"t 7it$ Co*rtne( 'ein4 in @ondon 7it$ Cor4"n3
t$is "dded to K*rt?s depression. )o7e6er3 on Fe' 2st3 (t$e d"( "5ter $is 'irt$d"(! "t t$e
#on#ert "t Moden"3 K*rt 7"s ;o8in4 "nd t"&8in4 to t$e #ro7d3 "&'eit in " s*'d*ed
%"nner. )e e6en %"de " re5eren#e to $is 5*t*re 4r"nd#$i&dren. K*rt &"*4$ed "t
so%et$in43 "nd s"id3 KIsn?t t$"t 4re"tJ I 7i&& te&& %( 4r"nd#$i&dren t$"t stor(.L T$is isn?t t$e
#o%%ent o5 " depressedHs*i#id"& %"n. Ro* #"n see t$is 6ideo on t$e 'oot&e4 o5
Nir6"n"?s Fe' 2 224 #on#ert in Moden"3 It"&(.
K*rt is #onst"nt&( s*55erin4 t$e in;*sti#e o5 t$e %edi" not 7"ntin4 *s to see
"n(one '*t " %ood(3 depressed indi6id*"&. MTI on&( s$o7s t$e #*t 6ersion o5 Nir6"n"9s
Unp&*44ed session. On t$is 6ersion K*rt &oo8s " &itt&e i&&,"t,e"se3 '*t in t$e *n#*t 6ersion3
K*rt is ;o8in4 "'o*t p&"(in4 Nine In#$ N"i&s son4s. )e re#"&&s " #"rtoon "nd p*ts on "
#"rtoon 6oi#e3 $e is seen &"*4$in4 "nd ;o8in43 sin4in4 in " d"5t 6oi#e3 sittin4 '"#8
re"din4 " %"4"Gine #"&&ed Q:FMU?s First C"t"&o4 o5 C*riosities?3 "nd si4nin4 "*to4r"p$s
"t t$e end o5 t$e set. T$ere is "&so 5oot"4e o5 "n inter6ie7 7it$ K*rt3 5ro% De# 22-3
7$ere $e is %e&&o7 "nd #o%5ort"'&e. T$is 7"s ;*st 4 %ont$s 'e5ore $e died.
T$e per#eption t$"t MTIHI) "nd t$e %"instre"% %edi"Hpress o55er is 5"&se3
distorted3 "nd 'i"sed in Co*rtne(?s 5"6o*r. T$ere is %ore tr*t$ on 'oot&e4 %"teri"& t$"n
$"s e6er 'een disse%in"ted on Ii"#o%,o7ned MTI or I)?s QDri6en: T$e Se#ret @i5e o5
K*rt Co'"in?3 or in t$e 'oo8s '( Rossi "nd Brite (p*'&is$ed '( Si%on "nd S#$*ster "nd
+o#8et 'oo8s3 'ot$ o7ned '( Ii"#o%!. It?s " sorr( st"te o5 "55"irs 7$en3 to 5ind t$e tr*t$3
one $"s to resort to t$e internet "nd 'oot&e4s.
A dealer called !rom Seattle/s (apitol 5ill. Kurt was at his place1 %uying too much
heroin1 acting li*e he was trying to overdose0 the dealer wanted him out. (ourtney told
Krist who drove over to pic* up Kurt1 who willingly got in the car.(Rossi p 2!. 5e was
e<tremely depressed1 an o%vious clue that the overdose in Italy wasn/t accidental.
Anyone who had nearly died accidentally would have %een happy to %e with the living. A
suicidal person1 who awa*ens a!ter attempting to die is depressed at having !ailed at
death too. (Rossi3 p 22!.
:$o "re t$ese *nn"%ed so*r#es t$"t to&d s"id $e 7"s depressedD T$e( 7eren?t
t$e peop&e 7$o 8ne7 $i% (C"r&son3 @"ne4"n3 +eterson3 do#tors3 &"7(ers3 et#!. An(one
7$o $"d ne"r&( died "5ter "tte%pted %*rder "nd didn?t $"6e $is %e%or( '"#8 (et 7o*&d
'e e=pe#ted to 'e #on5*sed "nd distressed. On top o5 t$is3 K*rt $"d 'een p$(si#"&&( i&&.
$hile waiting !or them 9the police1: to arrive1 she attempted to %rea* down the
door with a !ire e<tinguisher. Finally he opened it. She gra%%ed the gun !rom him and
pointed it at her head. ,I am going to pull this right now1 I cannot see you dieO I can/t see
you die again." (Rossi p 2!. T$is is s*pposed to $"6e o##*rred in M"r#$ "5ter Ro%e3
7$i&st t$e po&i#e 7ere on t$eir 7"(3 "5ter Co*rtne( $"d #"&&ed s"(in4 K*rt 7"s &o#8ed in
" roo% "nd s*i#id"&. :$en t$e po&i#e "rri6ed3 K*rt to&d t$e% $e 7"s not s*i#id"&3 $e 7"s
tr(in4 to 8eep "7"( 5ro% Co*rtne(. Co*rtne(?s 'o&d "nd 'r"6e "tte%pt to t"8e t$e 4*n
7"s not %entioned in t$e po&i#e report. S*re&( i5 s$e $"d 'een 're"8in4 t$e door in 7it$
" 5ire e=tin4*is$er t$ere 7o*&d $"6e 'een d"%"4e to t$e door t$"t t$e po&i#e 7o*&d $"6e
noti#edD T$ere 7"s ne6er "n( %ention o5 t$is in t$e report 'e#"*se it 7"s " 5"'ri#"tion3
"not$er one o5 Co*rtne(?s %e&odr"%"ti# stories 5or $er de5en#e.
$hen he later went out !or dinner he didn/t loo* the waiter in the eye1 had a
companion order !or him1 and all %ut hid under the ta%le at the scene his presence was
creating. (Rossi p 22!. Are 7e s*pposed to 'e&ie6e t$"t 'e#"*se o5 t$is 'e$6ior K*rt
7"s s*i#id"&3 *nst"'&e3 "nd $i4$D K*rt didn?t &i8e " 5*ss3 t$is is 7e&& 8no7n. E6er(t$in4
K*rt did $"s 'een t7isted into " ne4"ti6e &i4$t to 5it t$e &ies t$"t *nn"%ed so*r#es "nd
Co*rtne( 7"nt *s to 'e&ie6e. It is s(ste%"ti# #$"r"#ter "ss"ssin"tion. K*rt $"s 'een
%"&i4ned '( t$ese *nn"%ed so*r#es3 "nd peop&e $"6e 'e&ie6ed t$e% 5or too &on4.
On MTI?s tri'*te to K*rt3 K*rt @oder s"id: K$ith In )tero out and the tour in
progress Kurt (o%ain seemed !inally to have !ound an accommodation with roc*
stardom. Friends remem%er him at this point as genuinely happy. 6ut then irvana went
to Europe and somehow everything went wrong. (o%ain got the !lu1 dates were
cancelled. #ecuperating in #ome he dran* alcohol on top o! a prescription sedative and
collapsed in a coma. It was said to have %een an accident1 %ut %ehind press releases
and doctors reports Kurt (o%ain/s li!e was apparently spiraling out o! controlL.
K*rt?s &i5e st"rted to spir"& o*t o5 #ontro& i%%edi"te&( *pon Co*rtne( "nd C"&i
;oinin4 $i% in Ro%e 7it$ t$eir Ro$(pno&s. Don?t 'e&ie6e t$ese *nn"%ed so*r#es3
P*estion t$e%. :$en t$e( don?t %"t#$ 7it$ re&i"'&e 7itnesses3 re5*te t$e%. In Rossi?s
'oo8 t$ere is o6er,e%p$"sis on K*rt9s K$*4e dr*4 $"'itL3 $is Ks*i#id"&Ho6erdosin4
tenden#iesL3 $is K%ent"& inst"'i&it(L3 "&& o5 7$i#$ #ontr"di#t 7$"t $is 5riends "nd do#tors
report "nd t$e e6iden#e s*44ests. It re"#$ed 5e6er pit#$ in Rossi?s 'oo8.
)ere is 7$"t K*rt $"d to s"( on *nn"%edHinside so*r#es 7$en re5errin4 to
)irs#$'er4: Ko names were made. So it was o%viously -ust a cruci!i<ion piece. 6ut I
understand that a lot o! people have %een really a!!ected %y that1 they %elieve it1 I/m
really surprised.L
In Rossi?s 'oo83 QS*een o5 Noise?3 p"4es 22,2223 t$e 5o&&o7in4 e6ents o##*rred
in F*ne 2243 "5ter t$e p*'&i#"tion in EsP*ire?s F*&( 224 edition o5 "n "rti#&e on K*rt
Co'"in3 #o 7ritten '( Me&iss" Rossi:
#ossi received a phone call !rom (ourtney. (ourtney as*ed #ossi where she got
her in!ormation. (ourtney then told #ossi that her own sources had con!irmed that
#ossi/s in!ormation was correct. (ourtney then as*ed #ossi to help %y investigating
Kurt/s wherea%outs whilst he was ,missing71 and she gave #ossi the name o! a hotel
where she thought Kurt might have stayed. (ourtney as*ed #ossi to investigate this1
and to act as her ,in!ormation conduit71 9(ourtney/sC#ossi/s choice o! wording1: and also
mentioned what a scoop it would %e !or #ossi to uncover such in!ormation. #ossi then
o!!ered to introduce (ourtney to one o! her sources1 %ut (ourtney never %othered to
contact him.
Co*rtne( didn9t need Rossi to do t$is: s$e $"d $er o7n so*r#es 7$o "&re"d(
#on5ir%ed Rossi?s 5indin4s "nd 7$o #o*&d in6esti4"te. Co*rtne( 7"nted Rossi to
e&"'or"te on $er 5indin4s3 "nd $er so*r#es 7ere pro'"'&( one "nd t$e s"%e 7it$
Rossi?s. Rossi #o*&d not $"6e 'een "7"re t$"t s$e 7"s 'ein4 p&"(ed to t$e e=tent t$"t
s$e 7"s. On p"4e o5 t$e introd*#tion to $er 'oo83 s$e 7rites "'o*t $er 5ee&in4s
to7"rds Co*rtne(. One o5 t$e t$in4s s$e 7rote "re: KI can clearly see her
manipulativeness1 and how easy it seems !or her to use peopleL. On re"din4 t$e
introd*#tion to $er 'oo83 it is o'6io*s t$"t Rossi 7"s %"nip*&"ted ri4$t 5ro% t$e st"rt to
7rite $er 'io4r"p$(.
In Fe'r*"r( 22. Rossi 7"s "ppro"#$ed '( RoGG ReG"'e8 ("n o&d 5&"%e o5
Co*rtne(?s3 see t$e <K*rt E Co*rtne( do#*%ent"r( 5or " re6e"&in4 inter6ie7! to
#o&&"'or"te in 7ritin4 " 'oo8 "'o*t Co*rtne(. On#e t$e ide" 7"s p&"nted3 ReG"'e8
p*&&ed o*t3 "5ter "n o55er o5 #"s$ '( Co*rtne(. Rossi t$en de#ided to drop t$e 'oo83 '*t
se6er"& %ont$s &"ter +o#8et Boo8s "ppro"#$ed $er "nd s$e de#ided to #ontin*e. Rossi
s"id t$"t s$e 4ot t$e initi"& OK 5ro% Co*rtne(3 "nd t$en 7rote: KAs it turned out1 she
didn/t give me an interview at all1 %ut at least she didn/t inter!ere.L
Rossi?s so*r#es "re "t odds 7it$ t$e "##o*nts o5 C"r&son3 @"ne4"n3 Rose%"r(
C"rro&&3 et "&. T$ere is no do*'t t$"t K*rt 7"s &e"6in4 Co*rtne(3 "nd not t$e ot$er 7"(
"ro*nd. Rossi 7"s Co*rtne(?s Kin5or%"tion #ond*itK3 t$ere5ore $er per#eptions o5
Co*rtne(?s "#tions "nd %oti6es "re $i4$&( P*estion"'&e. Me&iss" Rossi 7"sn?t t$e on&(
;o*rn"&ist to 'e d*ped3 "&t$o*4$ s$e did 5"&& 'i4 ti%e "nd3 *n5ort*n"te&(3 $er 7or8 is *sed
"s " point o5 re5eren#e '( ot$er ;o*rn"&ists "nd 5"ns rese"r#$in4 K*rt Co'"in. :$en
Fo$n AiG&e7ood re6ie7ed Rossi9s 'oo8 5or QS? %"4"Gine?s Septe%'er 22/ edition $e
7rote: K#ossi gives short shri!t to the silly theory that &ove had (o%ain murdered...7 And
Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d #ons*&ted Rossi 5or $is 5i&% QK*rt "nd Co*rtne(?3 #$e#8 t$e #redits "t t$e
end o5 $is 5i&%.
:$en 7e &oo8 "t +opp( \ Brite?s introd*#tion to $er 'oo83 it is o'6io*s t$"t
Co*rtne( "ppro"#$ed Brite 7it$ t$e intention o5 4ettin4 $er to 7rite " 'io4r"p$(3 Brite
7rote on p"4e .: Co*rtne( @o6e #"&&s %e one ni4$t. I don?t P*estion $o7 s$e 4ot %(
*n&isted n*%'erO peop&e &i8e $er $"6e 7"(s. Co*rtne( is "dept "t %"n"4in4 to ens*re
p*'&i#it( 'ends in $er 5"6o*r3 "nd "t t$e ti%es s$e needs it %ost. T$is *n"##ept"'&e
s&opp( ;o*rn"&is% #ontin*es "s seen in t$e Se"tt&e Ti%es Apri& 0 224 edition 7$i#$
reported t$"t: DK Marco (ollins %roadcast unsu%stantiated reports a%out (o%ain/s last
days1 %olstered only %y the admonishment that ,this is only what we/re hearing7. T$is
s*%s *p t$e 7i&&in4ness o5 peop&e in t$e %edi" to report "n(t$in4 t$e( 7ere 5ed3 7it$o*t
"n( "tte%pt to dis#ern 4en*ine 5"#t 5ro% t$e &ies Co*rtne( "nd $er *nn"%ed so*r#es
spre"d.
T$e interestin4 t$in4 "'o*t Brite?s 'oo8 (p*'&is$ed '( Si%on "nd S#$*ster 220!
is t$"t on #&ose inspe#tion it is #&e"r t$"t it is "n "tte%pt to #&e"nse Co*rtne(?s stories sti&&
5*rt$er. T$ere "re se6er"& 'its o5 pre6io*s&( *n$e"rd in5or%"tion 7$i#$ %"8e it into
Brite?s 'oo8 7$i#$ 7eren9t in Rossi?s3 "nd so%e in#ri%in"tin4 in5or%"tion in Rossi?s 'oo8
7$i#$ 'e#o%e &ost 5ro% Brite?s.
Bot$ t$e Rossi "nd Brite 'oo8s s$o7 t$e re"& Co*rtne(3 '*t on&( 7$en t$e( "re
re"d 7it$ t$e 8no7&ed4e t$"t s$e %"nip*&"ted t$e #ontents. For e="%p&e3 "nd t$is is
pro'"'&( t$e %ost i%port"nt3 in Rossi?s 'oo8 (p*'&is$ed 22/ p 10! it is s"id t$"t t$e
n"nn( 7$o "##o%p"nied Co*rtne( to Ro%e in M"r#$ 2243 7"s " %"&e n"nn(. In Brite?s
'oo8 (p*'&is$ed 220 p /-! t$is n"nn( $"s no7 'e#o%e F"#8ie. In QCo'"in '( t$e
Editors o5 Ro&&in4 Stone? p4.203 (p*'&is$ed 2243! it is s"id t$e n"nn( 7"s C"&i 7$o is o5
#o*rse3 Mi#$"e& De:itt.
K...%ut she was o%sessed with media and how she/s perceived. $hat I didn/t
realise was that => percent o! it was her directly calling editors. She/s got a !ull media
networ* going on....I thought I was around someone who was a victim and some%ody
who could use a !riend1 and what I was around was a very good manipulator and a
careerist1 someone not to %e underestimatedK. Trent ReGnor "'o*t Co*rtne(3 QNine In#$
N"i&s? '( M"rtin )*=&e(
Co*rtne( p*t +opp( Brite in to*#$ 7it$ 5riends t$"t #o*&d 4i6e Brite in5or%"tion.
Co*rtne( $"s3 in "&%ost e6er( 'oo83 'een in #ont"#t 7it$ t$e "*t$ors. In Me&iss" Rossi?s
'io4r"p$( on Co*rtne(3 Co*rtne( 7"s P*ite o5ten p$onin4 Rossi "nd pointin4 $er in
dire#tions t$"t s$e 7"nted Rossi to in6esti4"te. And it &oo8s &i8e Co*rtne( 7"s tr(in4 to
4et Rossi to t"8e *p 5"&se "&i'is "nd &e"ds t$"t Co*rtne( $erse&5 7"s pro6idin4. :it$ t$e
Cross 'oo8 (7$i#$ 7i&& 'e t$e 5o#*s o5 t$e ne=t #$"pter!3 Co*rtne( 7o*&d e,%"i& $i%
in5or%"tion 7$i#$ $e reported 7it$o*t "n( "tte%pt to P*estion or 5"#t,#$e#8. O6er t$e
(e"rs3 t$e tr*t$ $"s 'een o6er7$e&%ed '( %isin5or%"tion. T$ere "re pre#io*s 5e7
e="%p&es o5 K*rt?s re5eren#es to e6ents3 7e %*st not &et t$e% 'e &ost3 t$e( "re K*rt?s
de5en#e.
C$"pter 1 o5 +opp( \ Brite?s 'oo8: 9Co*rtne( @o6e: T$e Re"& Stor(9 p*'&is$ed
220 'e4ins: Con6ers"tion o6er$e"rd on " 5&i4$t 5ro% Ro%e to Se"tt&e3 M"r#$ 23 224:
,'ive me a #ohypnol.7
,They/re gone.7
A silence. Five minutes laterJ
,(/mon1 give me a #ohypnol.7
,They/re gone Kurt. They are gone. I dumped them all down the !uc*in toilet. It/s over.7
,Fuc* you1 you lying pregnant dog1 give me a #ohypnol...."lease...7
T$is is " ne7 pro4ression. A4"in3 no n"%e 5or t$e person 7$o o6er$e"rd t$is
#on6ers"tion. It 7"sn?t %entioned in Me&iss" Rossi?s 'oo8 9Co*rtne( @o6e: S*een o5
Noise9 p*'&is$ed in 22/. Co*rtne( $"d " 5e7 %ont$s to e&"'or"te on $er stories3 'e5ore
t$e KNe7 "nd I%pro6edL 6ersion %"de it?s de'*t3 #o*rtes( o5 +opp( Brite. T$e "'o6e is
"n "tte%pt to t"#8&e t$e pre6io*s &"#8 o5 re5eren#es 7it$ re4"rds to K*rt 'ein4 " 5"%i&i"r
*ser o5 Ro$(pno&. It "&so introd*#es t$e notion t$"t K*rt 7"s no7 *sin4 K&onopin3 $eroin
"nd speed (%i4$t "s 7e&& 4o t$e 7$o&e 4"%*t3 Co*rtne(3 #o6er "&& possi'i&ities3 K*rt?s not
$ere to de5end $i%se&5.!
T$ere "re 7itnesses "nd "rti#&es 7$i#$ s*pport t$e 5"#t Co*rtne( 7"s poppin4
pi&&s3 "nd 7"s 5"%i&i"r 7it$ t$e %et$od o5 %i=in4 t$e% 7it$ #$"%p"4neHdrin8 'e5ore "nd
"5ter Ro%e. See t$e pre6io*s&( %entioned E6erett Tr*e #o%%ents3 "nd t$e 5o&&o7in4:
A5ter t$eir ret*rn 5ro% Ro%e3 Co*rtne( #onsidered "d%inisterin4 I"&i*% to K*rt in "
drin83 se#ret&(3 'e#"*se s$e #&"i%s s$e 7"s #on#erned t$"t K*rt 7"s %"ni# "nd needed
to rest (+opp( \ Brite?s 9Co*rtne( @o6e: T$e Re"& Stor(9 p /1!.
K*rt 7"s not t$e *nst"'&e3 in#"p"'&e 7re#8 *nn"%ed so*r#es 7o*&d $"6e *s
'e&ie6e. See S"nd5ord p4.-203 7$ere Kenne( des#ri'ed @o6e "s *nst"'&e "t t$is ti%e:
Fo*r d"(s &"ter (M"r#$ 22 224! t$e Co'"in?s "ppe"red "t t$e A%eri#"n Dre"% #"r &ot3
7$ere t$e( str*#8 t$e o7ner Foe Kenne( "s 9*pset9 "nd @o6e "s 9*nst"'&e93 droppin4 "
'ott&e o5 pi&&s "s s$e 7"&8ed to7"rds t$e '"t$roo%.
Kenne( re%"r8ed t$"t neit$er K*rt nor Co*rtne( &oo8ed &i8e t$e( 7o*&d 'e
"ro*nd %*#$ &on4er 'e#"*se t$e( 7ere so str*n4 o*t on dr*4s3 '*t Kenne( didn?t
%ention t$"t $e "#t*"&&( s"7 K*rt t"8in4 pi&&s. K*rt $"d 'een i&& eno*4$ to #"n#e& t$e to*r
$e 7"s on3 "nd $e $"d "&so s*r6i6ed " serio*s #o%" 7$ere $e "&%ost died.
No $eroin 7"s 5o*nd in K*rt?s s(ste% in t$e Ro%e o6erdose3 "nd 7itnesses e=ist
to st"te t$"t K*rt 7"s #&e"n3 "nd "'o6e "&& t$is K*rt $i%se&5 denied $e $"d " dr*4
pro'&e%. T$ere5ore K*rt #o*&d not3 "t t$is ti%e3 'e #&"ssi5ied "s " $e"6( dr*4 *ser 7$o
$"d " $i4$ to&er"n#e 5or $eroin. T$is is i%port"nt. :$en K*rt died3 $e $"d ..2
%i&&i4r"%s o5 %orp$ine per &itre o5 '&ood in $is s(ste%. Dr C(ri& :e#$t3 one o5 A%eri#"?s
&e"din4 5orensi# p"t$o&o4ists st"ted:
<:it$ " &e6e& o5 ..2 %i&&i&itres per &itre o5 %orp$ine "s 5o*nd in K*rt?s '&ood &e6e&3
5or t$e 4re"t per#ent"4e o5 peop&e in#&*din4 "ddi#ts3 it 7o*&d ind*#e " st"te o5
*n#on#io*sness P*ite P*i#8&(3 in se#onds3 not e6en %in*tes. It 7o*&d 'e 6irt*"&&(
i%possi'&e 5or $i% to $"6e s$ot $i%se&5 7it$ t$"t $i4$ " &e6e& o5 %orp$ine. It r"ises "
P*estion i5 $e s$ot t$"t s$ot4*n3 " 'i4 P*estion.< (-3 p4.-!.
T7o do#tors "ttended @"8e :"s$in4ton B&6d on Apri& 1t$3 Dr Don"&d Re"( "nd
Dr Ni8o&"s )"rts$orne. )"rts$orne 7"s " 5riend o5 Co*rtne(?s. It 7"s $is 6erdi#t o5
s*i#ide t$"t %"de K*rt " 6i#ti% 5or t$e se#ond ti%e3 5irst&( o5 %*rder3 t$en in#o%peten#e.
Dr Re"( $"s sin#e ;*sti5ied t$is 6erdi#t '( s"(in4 t$"t " se6ere $eroin "ddi#t $"s " $i4$er
to&er"n#e "nd t$"t t$e &e6e& o5 %orp$ine present in K*rt 7o*&d not e=#&*de $i% 5ro%
'ein4 "'&e to p*&& t$e tri44er (not to %ention tid(in4 *p t$e 7or8s3 p*&&in4 do7n $is
s&ee6es et#!3 d*e to t$e 5"#t $e 7"s " se6ere $eroin "ddi#t. K*rt 7"s #&e"n. So on#e
"4"in t$e Se"tt&e po&i#e "nd %edi#"& e="%iners pro6e t$"t s$"''( in#o%peten#e "nd
&"#8 o5 in6esti4"ti6e te#$niP*es do not e=#&*de "##ept"n#e into t$eir re"&%s. F*st "##ept
e6iden#e pro6ided '( t$e %ost &i8e&( s*spe#t o5 "n( 4i6en #ri%e. C"se so&6ed.
T$ere is 5i&% o5 Dr. >"&&ett" 7$ere $e s"id3 "5ter t$e Ro%e o6erdose: KK*rt
Co'"in is #&e"r&( "nd dr"%"ti#"&&( i%pro6in4. Resterd"( $e 7"s $ospit"&iGed "t t$e
Ro%e A%eri#"n )ospit"& in " st"te o5 #o%" "nd respir"tor( 5"i&*re. Tod"( $e is
re#o6erin4 5ro% " p$"r%"#o&o4i#"& #o%" d*e not to n"r#oti#s3 '*t t$e #o%'ined e55e#t o5
"&#o$o& "nd tr"nP*i&&iGers t$"t $"d 'een %edi#"&&( pres#ri'ed '( do#tor.L So K*rt
de5inite&( $"d no $eroin in $is s(ste% "t t$e ti%e o5 t$e o6erdose3 "nd t$ere5ore $e 7"s
#&e"n.
As e"r&( "s No6e%'er 2223Co*rtne( 7"s 4roo%in4 Me&iss" Rossi "s " %edi"
#$*%. On p"4es -/, 41 o5 Rossi?s 'oo8 t$e 5o&&o7in4 e6ents o##*rred: In No6 2223
Co*rtne( #"&&ed Rossi "nd s*44ested t$e( 4ot to4et$er3 d*e to t$e 5"#t Rossi 7"s "
7riter 5or Ne7s7ee8. :$i&st on t$e p$one3 Co*rtne( r"i&ed "'o*t t$e '"d p*'&i#it( s$e
$"d re#ei6ed in I"nit( F"ir. T$en s$e "rr"n4ed 5or Rossi to %eet $er "t t$e Fo*r
Se"sons O&(%pi# )ote& in Se"tt&e3 7$ere Co*rtne( 7"s st"(in4. Co*rtne(3 Rossi "nd t$e
n"nn( F"#8ie 7ent o*t 5or " %e"& "nd 4ot to t"&8in4 "'o*t +ort&"nd "nd RoGG ReG"'e8
7$o Rossi 8ne73 Co*rtne( st"rted #r(in4 o6er $i%. :$en Rossi "s8ed 7$( s$e 7"s
#r(in43 Co*rtne( s"id t$"t s$e $"d ne6er 4ot o6er RoGG. Rossi t$o*4$t to $erse&5:
KI 7"s t$in8in4 "'o*t $er odd re"#tion to t$e %ention o5 "n o&d 'o(5riend. S$e
7"s %"rried to K*rt Co'"in3 5or #r(in4 o*t &o*d3 '*t s$e 7"s #r(in4 "'o*t RoGG
ReG"'e8...B*t K*rt Co'"in 7"s...7e&&3 K*rt Co'"in. Bri&&i"nt3 'e"*ti5*&3 t"&ented3 se=( "nd
ri#$ too,,not to %ention t$e 5"t$er o5 Fr"n#es Be"n.L
In Broo%5ie&d?s 5i&% RoGG ReG"'e8 (Co*rtne(9s o&d 'o(5riend! s"id: KACo*rtne(B
sto&e %( #"reer.. %"de %e r*n "7"( 5ro% itL. #o33 %lamed (ourtney/s am%itions !or him
as the reasons he gave up his career. She wanted him to %e what Kurt later %ecame.
ReG"'e8 #ontin*ed: KS$e3 "t t$"t ti%e3 t$o*4$t t$"t it 7"s " %"&e do%in"ted
7or&d. S$e t$o*4$t t$e on&( 7"( s$e #o*&d "#$ie6e st"rdo% 7"s t$ro*4$ " %"n. S$e
$"d "&& t$e ide"s3 s$e st"rted dressin4 %e in F*&i"n Cope?s #&ot$es. And 5in"&&( I 4ot $er
to "4ree to &i8e3 KRo*?&& &"( o553 (o*?&& &et %e do %( '"nd "nd 'e#o%e 5"%o*s on %( o7nL.
S$e $"d "n "4end" 5or %e. S$e 7"nted to %"8e %e into " ro#8 st"r to t$e point 7$ere I
stopped 7"ntin4 to 'e " ro#8 st"r. I 7"nted to 4et "7"( 5ro% it3 'e#"*se I 7o*&d $"6e
ended *p &i8e K*rtL.
Co*rtne( 7"s #r(in4 o6er ReG"'e8 ;*st t$ree %ont$s "5ter s$e $"d Fr"n#es.
@"ter t$"t e6enin4 Co*rtne( s*44ested Rossi 7rite " 'io4r"p$( on $er3 '*t 5irst s$e
7"nted Rossi to 7rite " 5"6o*r"'&e "rti#&e3 to #o%'"t t$e ne4"ti6e p*'&i#it( o5 t$e I"nit(
F"ir "rti#&e. S$e in5or%ed Rossi t$"t 'ot$ s$e "nd K*rt 7ere no7 o55 s%"#8. D*rin4 t$is
inter6ie7 7$i#$ 7"s "rr"n4ed '( Co*rtne( "nd too8 p&"#e in t$e $ote& Co*rtne( 7"s
st"(in4 in3 t$e p$one 7ent "nd "pp"rent&( it 7"s D"6e >ro$& 7$o in5or%ed Co*rtne( t$"t
K*rt $"d 5"&&en o55 t$e 7"4on3 $e?d t"8en so%e s%"#8. @"ter t$e p$one 7ent "4"in3 t$is
ti%e Co*rtne( to&d Rossi t$"t K*rt 7"s no7 #o%p&ete&( s%"s$ed on it. T$e p$one 7ent
(et "4"in3 "nd "t t$is point3 Co*rtne( #"&&ed " $"&t to t$e inter6ie7 "nd in5or%ed Rossi:
KToni4$t I &ost %( $*s'"nd. I &ost %( $*s'"nd to dr*4sL.
It 7o*&d not 'e s*rprisin4 i5 Co*rtne( $"d instr*#ted so%eone to #"&&3 in t$e 5*&&
8no7&ed4e t$"t Rossi 7o*&d 'e t$ere to 7itness "nd 'e&ie6e t$is stor(. E6en i5 t$ese
#"&&s 7ere 4en*ine3 7$( 7o*&d Co*rtne( in5or% " ;o*rn"&ist "s to 7$"t 7"s 4oin4 onD
S$e $"d on&( re#ent&( re4"ined #*stod( o5 Fr"n#es "nd $ere s$e 7"s te&&in4 "not$er
;o*rn"&ist t$"t K*rt 7"s '"#8 on s%"#8. )o7 #o*&d s$e in6ite t$e possi'i&it( o5 &osin4
Fr"n#es "4"inD
S$e "&so did t$is "5ter K*rt $"d to&d Ro'ert )i&'*rn o5 T$e @A Ti%es on
Septe%'er 2:
KT$e 'i44est t$in4 t$"t "55e#ted %e 7"s "&& t$e ins"ne r*%o*rs3 t$e $eroin r*%o*rs...."&&
t$is spe#*&"tion 4oin4 on. I 5e&t tot"&&( 6io&"ted. I ne6er re"&ised t$"t %( pri6"te &i5e 7o*&d
'e s*#$ "n iss*e.L (CARA3 p 212!.
T$ere is t$e s"%e de5initi6e &ine 'et7een t$e tr*t$ "nd &ies 7$i&st K*rt 7"s "&i6e3
"s t$ere 7"s "5ter $e died. And 7$en (o* tr"#e '"#8 t$e %isin5or%"tion to its so*r#e3
(o* 5ind Co*rtne(3 "nd (o* 5ind Me&iss" Rossi 'ein4 *sed "s "n Kin5or%"tion #ond*itL.
:$en (o* re"d 7$"t Rossi $"d to s"( on t$e s*%%er o5 22- (o* 5ind t$e s"%e
dis#rep"n#ies 'et7een n"%ed "nd *nn"%ed so*r#es. Rossi reported:
6y the end o! the summer1 into the !all1 and on into winter1 Kurt and (ourtney
!ought worse than ever. A%out everything. The mounting %ills1 including thousands o!
dollars she owed to psychics.... The couple !ought a%out the upcoming irvana tour o!
Europe1 which Kurt didn/t want to go on0 as every -un*ie *nows1 %eing overseas ma*es it
more di!!icult to score..... 6esides1 %y that time she !elt li*e Kurt was having an a!!air with
a mistress who wasn/t human. The competing love o! his li!e was one that (ourtney
couldn/t %eat up or tell o!! or get rid o!. 5eroin was consuming more and more o! his
time. 6y then it was more than -ust something that dulled the pain o! his stomach0 it was
his li!e..... The (o%ains sometimes tal*ed o! divorcing1 %ut Kurt hated the thought.....
Starting late that summer 5ole was on the road almost as much as irvana had once
%een. (Rossi p 04!.
:$o 4"6e Me&iss" Rossi t$is in5or%"tionD T$e "'o6e reportin4 dire#t&(
#ontr"di#ts D(&"n C"r&son3 6"rio*s n"%ed so*r#es3 "nd t$e re#o&&e#tions o5 >"6in
Ed7"rds. :e 8no7 K*rt *sed $eroin "nd 7e 8no7 7$( $e *sed it. K*rt ne6er
4&"%orised $is dr*4 *se3 t$is is 7$"t $e s"id to ;o*rn"&ist >"6in Ed7"rds "'o*t it:
<Kurt claims to have %een o!! heroin !or over a year 2%ut he/s aware that people
dou%t him...he -o*es a%out his -un*ie reputation and is *eenly aware o! its news value.
As*ed why he %egan using heroin1 Kurt sighs1 ,I *now this sounds li*e a cop2out or a
lame e<cuse1 %ut I/ve %een su!!ering !rom chronic stomach pain everyday o! my li!e !or M
years now...I/ve had ten or eleven endoscopes1 where they stic* a !i%reoptic tu%e with a
camera down your throat1 and they always !ind a red1 in!lamed piece o! tissue in my
stomach. Kurt used heroin on and o!! !or a%out L months... ,It/s not my !WW*ing !ault that
anyone *nows that I did heroin. I never tal*ed a%out it. $hen I/m high it/s really o%vious.
That/s why I/ve never gone out in pu%lic on it. I tried as hard as I could to *eep it !rom
everyone...It/s a really evil drug7. I loo* Kurt in the eye as he says this. 5e is serious.7
(>"6in Ed7"rds3 Det"i&s %"4"Gine3 No6 22-. Inter6ie7 d"tes to F*&( 22-!.
KSo t$ere 7"s "n e&e%ent o5 ;*st 7"ntin4 to 4et $i4$LD (in e"r&( 222!. KT$ere
%i4$t $"6e 'een in $er e(esL3 s"(s K*rt3 7$o sti&& %"int"ins t$"t $e '"si#"&&( did $eroin
5or its "n"&4esi# properties. KE6er( ti%e t$"t I 7"sn?t doin4 dr*4s3 t$e( s*spe#ted t$"t I
7"s. T$e( sti&& doL. (K*rt t"&8in4 to Mi#$"e& AGerr"d3 M*si#i"n O#t 22-!.
KSo%eti%es it 7"s re"&&( "n e=#*se 5or $i% to 4et "7"( 5ro% $is 7i5e. K*rt 7o*&d
$"n4 "ro*nd " &ot o5 $eroin de"&ers "nd ;*n8ies '*t $e 7"sn?t "&7"(s doin4 dr*4sL.
(D(&"n C"r&son3 -3 p4./.!.
And t$is 5ro% "n "rti#&e '( Keit$ C"%eron 5or NME d"ted A*4*st 22t$ 222:
...when Anton wal*s in with a woman I recognise as Susan Silver1 manager o!
Soundgarden. She waves at Kurt1 says1 ,I -ust wanna say goodnight17 then sits down
ne<t to him. Anton tells me to turn the tape o!!.
,$hy7+
,Kust turn it o!!O7
As well as %eing a sweet guy1 Anton/s a use!ul Thai %o<er and he/s got these dogs1
see...So o!! it goes. Susan tal*s intently to Kurt1 loo*ing directly into his eyes1 the gist o!
it %eing '-ust call me i! there/s anything you want1' then she and Anton leave.
Erm1 Kurt1 what was that you were saying... 4SeeO She thin*s I/m on heroinO 5e whispers
e<citedly. ,She doesO Didn/t you see it in her eyes+ And I/ve heard it !rom a whole %unch
o! people1 she says stu!!1 she actually tells people I/m on heroin all the time. That/s
Soundgarden/s manager1 it goes !rom the !WW*ing highest level o! people in the music
industry down to the street pun* *ids.7
At t$e ti%e o5 t$is inter6ie73 F*ne 22 in Sp"in3 K*rt 7"s *sin4 %et$"done. )e
7"s *sin4 it to #ontro& $is sto%"#$ p"in. S*s"n Si&6er 7"s "&so #ontri'*tin4 to t$e
r*%o*rs. It is 8no7n t$"t K*rt dis&i8ed $er "nd 'e&ie6ed $er to 'e one o5 t$e *nn"%ed3
inside so*r#es 5or t$e I"nit( F"ir "rti#&e. B*t 7$( 7"s s$e doin4 t$isD I don?t 8no73
%"('e Co*rtne( 7"s te&&in4 $er it 7"s tr*e in t$e s"%e 7"( s$e did to Me&iss" Rossi.
K*rt *sed $eroin 5or $is sto%"#$ "i&%ent. :$en (o* &oo8 "t inter6ie7s 7$ere
K*rt 7"s "s8ed "'o*t $is dr*4 *se3 (o* "&7"(s 4et "ns7ers &i8e t$is:
KE6er('od( 7"s tired o5 %e doin4 dr*4s e6en t$o*4$ I 7"sn?t doin4 dr*4s. I 7"s
on %et$"done...t$e(?6e "&& 'o*4$t t$e s"%e dr*4 $(steri" prop"4"nd"..L(Co%e As Ro*
Are p4.2/0!. And t$en (o* 5ind t$is in QCo%e As Ro* Are?3 p*'&is$ed 7$i&e K*rt 7"s "&i6e
in 22-3 p 2/1: Meanwhile1 Kurt was deto<ing and1 once again in enormous pain.
)na%le to eat1 he was placed on an I8 and got wea*er and wea*er !or a time1 then
rallied. 5is reha%ilitation was slowed %y the !act he was occasionally given morphine to
*ill the stomach pain. 5e saw a %attalion o! gastrointestinal specialists who too* X2rays
upper 'I/s1 lower 'I/s1 (AT scans etc. 5e was wea*. T$is 7"s ;*st 'e5ore Fr"n#es 7"s
'orn. :$i#$ 'e#"%e t$is in Rossi?s 'oo83 p 22:
Kurt went on a %inge1 then reluctantly chec*ed into reha%1 in a di!!erent wing o!
the hospital. 6ut his determination to Uuit heroin was not particularly strong0 (ourtney
later said that while he was in deto< unit he had dealers actually shooting heroin into his
I8 %ag. ?ne dealer told her that at one point Kurt appeared dead.
Co*rtne( 7"s *sin4 dr*4s 7$i&e K*rt 7"s K%issin4L 'e#"*se 7$en s$e 7"s
"rrested on 0t$ Apri& 2243 t$e dete#ti6e 7$o "ttended t$e "rrest reported t$"t t$e(
se"r#$ed Co*rtne(?s roo% "t t$e +enins*&" )ote& "nd des#ri'ed it "s K6o%it "nd '&ood
sp"tteredL t$e( "&so 5o*nd " s(rin4e3 pres#ription p"d "nd p"#8et #ont"inin4 " s*'st"n#e
t$e( 'e&ie6ed to 'e $eroin. T$ese t*rned o*t to 'e )ind* 4ood &*#8 "s$es.
Co*rtne( to&d D"6id Fri#8e: KI t"8e I"&i*%s. +er#od"n. Don?t &i8e $eroin. It t*rns
%e into " ,,,,,. M"8es %e *4&(. Ne6er &i8ed it. )"te need&es...I $"6e *sed $eroin ,"5ter
K*rt died.L (Ro&&in4 Stone De#e%'er .t$ 224!. S$e 5or4ot to %ention t$"t s$e &i8ed
Ro$(pno& "nd e6en $"d " p"#8et o5 t$e dr*4 7"itin4 "t 0 @"8e :"s$in4ton B&6d. K*rt
didn?t *se it3 "nd #ontr"r( to 7$"t Brite reported3 Co*rtne( didn?t 5&*s$ it do7n t$e toi&et.
Co*rtne( @o6e 7"s t$e re#re"tion"& dr*4 *ser3 not K*rt. K*rt?s $eroin *se 7"s '&o7n *p
o*t o5 "&& proportion '( t$e %edi"3 7$o 4ot to $e"r o5 it on o##"sions dire#t&( 5ro%
Co*rtne(3 or '( $er p&"ntin4 s*#$ stories.
In No6e%'er 222 Co*rtne( to&d Me&iss" Rossi t$"t K*rt 7"s *sin4 $eroin. ?n at
least one occasion a call was made to a drug dealer. ,;ou/ve got to come over17 one
eavesdropping operator supposedly heard (ourtney say. ,$e/re hurting.7 (Rossi3 p .0.!
T$is &oo8s #ontri6ed. I5 (o* "re '*(in4 dr*4s3 (o* do it dis#reet&(.
Co*rtne( #ontin*ed t$ro*4$o*t to %ention dr*4s in 22-3 d*rin4 5or "n "rti#&e 5or
Me&od( M"8er A*4*st 21t$. T$e ;o*rn"&ists (St*d Bros.! 7rote: (ourtney &ove
appears....First1 she tal*s a%out some heavy drug dealers she once *new and their
a%orted attempt to smuggle something illegal into somewhere heavy. From this she
leaps with head2spinning speed to her !avourite su%-ect 2hersel!2 and the treatment that
she and her hus%and have su!!ered at the hands o! a callous1 endlessly intrusive
media. ...Kurt descri%es (ourtney as media literate. She isn/t. ?!ten she/s media hungry.
More o!ten overly image conscious. An hour ago1 in the hotel !oyer1 she approached us1
and unsolicited1 o!!ered us tales o! drug smuggling and1 when it came to that %oo*
9(lar*e and (ollins: %itter re!utations o! things we had no idea she/d %een accused o!...
Kurt1 haven/t you and your wi!e %oth contri%uted to the press you/ve had1 %oth good and
%ad+ ,;es1 I thin* %oth (ourtney and I have said too many things at times1 or said some
unnecessary things. $e/re -ust learning li*e everyone else. 6ut I thin* it is unhealthy to
read all this negative stu!! and I do try to ignore it as much as I can. There/s a lot o!
times (ourtney/ll say1 ,?K1 here/s another one71 and start reading it1 and I/ll -ust wal* out
o! the room. It a!!ects me only %ecause it a!!ects her more7.
K*rt didn?t re"&ise Co*rtne( s*pp&ied ;o*rn"&ists 7it$ %is&e"din4 in5or%"tion
#on#ernin4 $is dr*4 *se. T$"n8s to Rossi "nd $er 'oo8 t$e &ies "nd %"nip*&"tion "re
"#t*"&&( P*ite e"s( to see. I5 e6er t$ere 7"s d"%nin4 e6iden#e it?s Rossi?s 'oo8. No
7onder Co*rtne( 7"nted Brite to re7rite $istor( "nd Rossi?s 'oo8 'e#"%e o'so&ete so
P*i#8&(.
)ere?s so%e %ore in5or%"tion 5ro% Rossi?s 'oo8 p 2-.,2-/: in De# 224
Co*rtne( t*rned *p on ReG"'e8?s door "nd t"&8ed "'o*t $i% %"('e 7ritin4 " 'oo8 on
$er3 "nd t$"t i5 $e did3 s$e 7"nted to %"8e s*re $e 7rote so%e ni#e t$in4s "'o*t $er.
S$e e6en %entioned '"n8ro&&in4 it. T$is #oin#ided 7it$ To% >r"nt?s 5irst r"dio inter6ie7
on $is 'e&ie5 t$"t Co*rtne( @o6e p&"(ed " p"rt in K*rt Co'"in?s %*rder. It?s " si4n o5
4*i&t37$en (o* need to %"nip*&"te "nd '"n8ro&& t$e 7ritin4 o5 s*#$ " 'oo8. ReG"'e8 "nd
Rossi 7ere 'ot$ p"rt o5 t$is #o6er *p s#$e%e3 e6en t$o*4$ t$e( didn?t re"&ise it. In
De#e%'er 2003 To% >r"nt re&e"sed " re#orded #on6ers"tion o5 Co*rtne( @o6e
"d%ittin4 to $er K*net$i#"&L (Co*rtne(9s 7ords! pr"#ti#e o5 p"(in4 ;o*rn"&ists to p&"nt
5"&se stories.
)EAIIER T)AN )EAIEN:
T$e 6ersion o5 e6ents presented in C$"r&es Cross9 'oo8 5eavier than 5eaven
#ontr"di#ts e(e7itness testi%on(. It is eit$er " de&i'er"te "tte%pt to spre"d
%isin5or%"tion3 or t$e 5"#ts 7ere not do*'&e,#$e#8ed. In $is inter6ie7s3 C$"r&es Cross
"ppe"rs to 'e "n inte&&i4ent person. One %*st t$ere5ore #on#&*de t$"t $is 'oo8 $"s 'een
sponsored '( Co*rtne( to e=p&"in "7"( t$e in#onsisten#ies o5 K*rt9s de"t$3 "nd to
perpet*"te t$e <s*i#id"& ;*n8ie< i%"4e. Cross 4"ined "##ess to in5or%"tion 5or $is 'oo8
%"in&( 5ro% Co*rtne(3 t$ro*4$ e%"i&s "nd s*pposed&( <rese"r#$ed< in5or%"tion o6er t$e
(e"rs. As (o* 7i&& see3 $e $"s t"8en e6er( 7ord o5 Co*rtne(9s "s 4ospe& "nd ;*st prints
it. )ere "re so%e o5 t$e &ies t$"t #"n 'e 5o*nd in Cross9 'oo8:
C@APTER +3 - LI:E @A5LET - PA6E 3+
Seattle1 $ashington March D==G
&i*e 5amlet1 I have to choose %etween li!e and death.22 From the #ome suicide note.
"$hen Kurt sat down to compose his suicide note in the E<celsior 5otel1 he thought o!
Sha*espeare and the "rince o! Denmar*."
In t$e $e"din4 to t$is #$"pter3 Cross re5ers to t$e Ro%e note "s 'ein4 " 9s*i#ide
note93 7$i#$ 7e 8no7 7"s NOT3 e6en '( Co*rtne(9s o7n "d%ission. It $"s not$in4 to do
7it$ s*i#ide "t "&&. It 7"s ;*st "n *n5&"tterin4 &etter to $er. Cross is "&so #&"i%in4 t$is 7"s
" dire#t P*ote 5ro% K*rt3 7$en in it9s re"&&( 7$"t Co*rtne( to&d Spin %"4"Gine $e 7rote.
T$is is t$e note s$e 7"s "d6ised '( S4t. C"%eron to 94et rid o5 9 "nd 7"s s*'seP*ent&(
'*rnt.
C@APTER +3 - LI:E @A5LET PA6E 3+
(A'o*t Ro%e! ")pon discovering Kurt's li!eless %ody1 (ourtney called the !ront des* and
Kurt was rushed to )m%erto I "olyclinic 5ospital. &ove had retrieved two empty %lister
pac*s o! #ohypnol ne<t to Kurt222 he had ta*en >@ o! the aspirin2si3e pills1 individually
removing each !rom a plastic2and2!oil2container."
T$ere is no e6iden#e t$"t K*rt s7"&&o7ed 9.09 pi&&s. Dr. >"&ett"3 7$o% e="%ined
K*rt 7$i&e in Ro%e 7it$ t$e #o%" s"(s it 7"s not " <s*i#ide "tte%pt< "nd re5*tes
Co*rtne(9s #&"i% t$"t K*rt s7"&&o7ed t$e% "nd t$e( did not p*%p 5i5t( pi&&s 5ro% $is
sto%"#$. T$ere %"( $"6e 'een .0 *n7r"pped 5oi& p"#8ets3 or .0 e%pt( 5oi& '&isters 5ro%
" p"#8 5o*nd in t$e $ote& roo%3 '*t t$"t doesn9t %e"n K*rt *n7r"pped or e%ptied t$e%.
It on&( %e"ns so%eone *n7r"pped "nd e%ptied t$e 5oi& p"#8ets "nd 7"nted t$is
in#ident to &oo8 &i8e " s*i#ide "tte%pt. K*rt s*r6i6ed. Dr. >"&&ett" 7$o 7"s responsi'&e
5or K*rt9s tre"t%ent3 "&so iss*ed t$e 5o&&o7in4 st"te%ents:
<:e #"n *s*"&&( te&& " s*i#ide "tte%pt. T$is didn9t &oo8 &i8e one to %e. )e %i=ed
tr"nP*i&iGers "nd "&#o$o& "nd 7$en (o* do t$"t3 (o*9re p&"(in4 7it$ 5ire.< (-3 p4.12!
<Co'"in doesn9t 8no7 7$"t $"ppened to $i%. )e $"sn9t 4"ined #o%p&ete #ontro&
o5 $is %e%or(. :$en $e e%er4ed 5ro% t$e #o%"3 $e 7"s 6er( $*n4r( "nd "s8ed 5or "
str"7'err( %i&8s$"8eJ< (Me&od( M"8er M"r#$ 2t$ 224!

C@APTER +3 - LI:E @A5LET - PA6E 3"
(A5ter Ro%e! "5e was so !uc*ed up.' Dylan noticed a shi!t as wellJ '5e didn't seem as
alive. 6e!ore1 he had more to him0 a!ter1 he seemed monochromatic."
T$is is " de#epti6e st"te%ent %"de '( D(&"n. E6en t$o*4$ K*rt #o*&dn9t re4"in
%e%or( 5ro% t$e #o%" in Ro%e3 %"n( ot$er peop&e 7$o 8ne7 K*rt "t t$is ti%e
%"int"ined $e 7"s 6er( st"'&e "nd $"pp(. D(&"n $i%se&5 $"d pre6io*s&( des#ri'ed K*rt
on M"r#$ -0t$ "s <nor%"&< (43 p4.1-! )e $"s "&so s"id t$"t K*rt 7"s in no 7"( s*i#id"&:
<A (e"r e"r&ier I 7o*&d $"6e 'e&ie6ed it 'e#"*se o5 t$e p"in '*t $e 7"sn9t t"&8in4 &i8e t$"t
"n(%ore. )e 7"s %"8in4 "&& 8inds o5 p&"ns 5or 7$en $e 4ot '"#8 5ro% re$"'.< (-3 p4.2!
)e to&d To% >r"nt "'o*t t$e Ro%e in#ident: <K*rt s"id it 7"s "n "##ident... )e9s *nder "
&ot o5 press*re. '*t $e9s $"nd&in4 t$in4s prett( 4ood.< D(&"n spo8e to t$e &o#"&
ne7sp"per "s 7e&&: <K*rt 7"s 5"#in4 &ots o5 prett( $e"6( t$in4s '*t $e 7"s "#t*"&&( prett(
*p'e"t. )e 7"s prep"red to de"& 7it$ t$in4s 5"#in4 $i%.< (1!
C@APTER +3 - LI:E @A5LET - PA6E 3+3
"6lac* tar heroin !reUuently caused a%scesses !rom the impurities used to cut it. 6y
March1 Kurt's arms had sca%s and a%scesses1 which themselves were a potential health
danger."
T$ere "re pi#t*res o5 K*rt 7e"rin4 " s$ort s&ee6ed s$irt in M*ni#$3 >er%"n( "t
Ter%in"& EinG on M"r#$ st3 224. T$ere "re no s#"'s or "'s#esses 6isi'&e.

C@APTER +* - AN6ELMS @AIR - PA6ES 33+ to 33"
"(ali passed out Saturday morning !rom cocaine....As his drug pro%lems had increased
and his nanny duties had %een curtailed1 (ali had %ecome the Kato Kaelin o! the (o%ain
household. '6y that point1 (ali wasn't in charge o! anything1' Kessica o%served1' other
than helping get drugs or ma*ing sure Kurt didn't die'. That morning Kurt wal*ed into
(ali's room and sat on the end o! the %ed. Kessica wo*e1 %ut not (ali......(ali
momentarily wo*e up and1 seeing Kurt1 told him to call (ourtney. As (ali !ell %ac*
asleep1 Kessica and Kurt sat silently !or a !ew minutes1 watching MT8...."
)ere 7e $"6e in per5e#t det"i& t$"t K*rt #"%e into C"&i9s roo%3 7it$ MTI p&"(in4
on t$e te&e6ision "nd C"&i 7"8in4 *p "nd te&&in4 $i% to #"&& Co*rtne(. Re%e%'er t$"t
MTI 7"s on t$e te&e6ision set in C"&i9s roo%. Cross 7i&& "&so %"8e " %ist"8e "'o*t t$"t.
(S"t*rd"( Apri& 2nd! "Still !ried !rom drugs1 (ali thought Kurt's %edside visit was simply a
dream. (ali and Kessica were !ighting a%out his drug use1 and in a !it o! rage he
suggested she ta*e an early !light home. 5e tried to use the FD@@1@@@2 limit Master(ard
Kurt had given him to %uy her an airline tic*et %ut the charge was denied. 5e called
(ourtney to complain and she told him she'd cancelled Kurt's cards1 thin*ing this would
help determine his wherea%outs."
C"&i s"(in4 $e 'e&ie6ed K*rt #o%in4 into t$e roo% 7"s si%p&( " dre"% is
ridi#*&o*s. I5 so3 $o7 #o*&d $e $"6e o't"ined t$e #redit #"rd t$"t K*rt &e5t 5or $i%D Eit$er
C"&i is &(in4 or Cross is %is&e"din4 t$e re"der. As 5or t$e 9%issin4 #redit #"rd93 i5 t$is stor(
is tr*e3 7e no7 8no7 t$"t C"&i $"d possession o5 t$is #"rd on Apri& 2nd "nd 7"s "t t$e
@"8e :"s$in4ton $o*se tr(in4 to *se it. )o7e6er3 Cross is t$e on&( person t$"t e6er
%entioned it. T$e %issin4 #redit #"rd is " 'i4 iss*e3 "nd o'6io*s&( t$e peop&e in6o&6ed in
K*rt?s %*rder 7i&& 7"nt to #o6er t$eir tr"#8s.
"That Sunday 9Brd:1 (ourtney phoned private investigators in the &os Angeles yellow
pages until she !ound one wor*ing on a wee*end. Tom 'rant and his assistant 6en
Klugman visited her at the "eninsula that a!ternoon...Early Monday 9the Gth:1 (ali and
Kessica were in the middle o! yet another argument when the phone rang1 and (ali
%ar*ed1 'don't answer it. It's -ust (ourtney and we don't *now anything a%out Kurt.'
Kessica as*ed (ali i! he'd tal*ed to Kurt since they saw him. '$hat do you mean1 since I
saw him+' (ali inUuired1 his eyes widening. Kessica recited the events !rom Sunday. (ali
!inally told (ourtney Kurt had in !act %een at the house on Sunday."
A4"in 7e $"6e C"&i den(in4 t$"t K*rt #"%e into $is roo% on S"t*rd"( %ornin4.
:e "&so $"6e C"&i "nd Co*rtne( in #ont"#t 7it$ e"#$ ot$er sin#e S"t*rd"( t$e 2ndJ S$e
8ne7 K*rt 7"s "t t$e $o*se on S*nd"(3 so 7$( didn9t s$e e6er te&& To% >r"nt3 or $"6e
s*r6ei&&"n#e 7"t#$ "t t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o%eD
"?n Tuesday a!ternoon1 (ourtney sent 5ole's Eric Erlandson to the &a*e $ashington
home to loo* !or Kurt. '5e %ursts in the house1 li*e this %ig lightning %olt1 and he was
!urious at (ali1' Kessica remem%ered. ';ou guys have to help me loo*1' he ordered.
Erlandson told them to search every noo* and cranny1 %ecause Kurt had stashed a
shotgun. 5e speci!ically insisted they loo* in a secret compartment in the %ac* o! the
master %edroom closet1 which (ourtney had told him Kurt used. They !ound the
compartment %ut no guns. They also searched the mattress !or a hole Kurt had cut in it
to store drugs222 it was empty. o one thought to search the garage or greenhouse1 and
Erlandson rushed o!!1 headed to the (arnation home."
Eri#9s 6isit 7"s ne6er %entioned in t$e po&i#e reports "nd To% >r"nt 7"s not to&d
o5 it. In order to p&"#e Er&"ndson in Se"tt&e on Apri& .t$3 Cross $"d to #ontr"di#t "
ti%e&ine printed in "n Apri& 20 224 edition o5 T$e Ro#8et. Eri# "nd C"&i "&&e4ed&(
se"r#$ed 5or t$e 4*n in t$e se#ret #&oset in t$e %"ster 'edroo% o5 0 @"8e :"s$in4ton
B&6d on Apri& .t$3 "s Cross reported (p"4e --.!. Co*rtne( "&so instr*#ted >r"nt "nd
D(&"n to se"r#$ t$ere "4"in on t$e e6enin4 o5 Apri& 0t$3 '*t 5"i&ed to %ention t$"t Eri#
$"d #$e#8ed it on t$e .t$. S$e "&so didn?t $"6e Eri# %eet *p 7it$ To%. Co*rtne(
pro'"'&( %"de *p t$is ne7 stor( to #on5*se peop&e. :e 8no7 Eri# 7"s in Se"tt&e
%eetin4 *p 7it$ Co*rtne(3 K"t B;e&&"nd "nd To% >r"nt on Apri& 4t$3 '*t t$ere is no
%ention o5 Eri# 'ein4 "n(7$ere ne"r t$e @"8e :"s$in4ton $o%e3 &et "&one Se"tt&e3 on
t$e .t$3 "s Cross "nd Co*rtne( 7o*&d &i8e *s to 'e&ie6e.
(To% >r"nt "nd D(&"n C"r&son se"r#$in4 t$e $o*se on t$e T$*rsd"(3 Apri& 0t$! "At
AJD>am Thursday they searched the &a*e $ashington house1 entering through a *itchen
window... They went !rom room to room and !ound the %ed unmade in the master
%edroom1 %ut cold to the touch. MT8 was on the television with the sound o!!. ot
seeing any sign o! Kurt1 they le!t at Bam1 without searching the grounds or garage."
Cross s"(s t$"t To% "nd D(&"n 5ind t$e 'ed *n%"de "nd MTI on in t$e 9%"ster
'edroo%9 7$en it 7"s "#t*"&&( in C"&i9s roo%3 "s #&e"r&( st"ted on p"4e --2. A&on4 7it$
"&& o5 t$e "'o6e3 Cross ne6er %entions t$e stories t$ro*4$o*t t$e (e"rs on t$e %*rder
t$eories3 t$"t t$ere 7"s "n( ot$er 'oo8 re&"ted to t$e #"se3 not$in4 s"id "'o*t t$e
di55eren#es in $"nd7ritin4 on t$e <s*i#ide< note "nd t$"t t$e ..2 %4s o5 $eroin 5o*nd in
K*rt9s '&ood "t t$e ti%e o5 de"t$ 7"s <"n "%"Gin4 5e"t<.
Cross "&so re&"tes " 7i&d stor( "'o*t K*rt #o%in4 to t$e $ospit"& 7$ere $is
d"*4$ter 7"s 'orn "nd #"rr(in4 " 4*n to #o%%it ;oint s*i#ide 7it$ Co*rtne(. Aside 5ro%
t$is 'ein4 " P*estion"'&e #&"i% pro6ided '( Co*rtne(. T$ere is 6ideo e6iden#e o5 K*rt
per5or%in4 "t t$e Re"din4 Ro#8 Festi6"& in En4&"nd "t t$is ti%e. )e &oo8s #&e"n3 $e"&t$(
"nd in,#ontro&3 not &i8e so%eone 7$o 7"s #onte%p&"tin4 ;oint s*i#ide. D*rin4 t$e
per5or%"n#e3 ;*st 'e5ore p&"(in4 A&& Apo&o4ies3 K*rt s"id: KT$is son4 is dedi#"ted to %(
t7e&6e d"( o&d d"*4$ter "nd %( 7i5e. And t$ere?s 'een so%e prett( e=tre%e t$in4s
7ritten "'o*t *s3 espe#i"&&( %( 7i5e "nd s$e t$in8s e6er('od( $"tes $er no7. So t$is is
'ein4 re#orded so 7$( don?t (o* 4i6e $er " %ess"4e "nd s"( KCo*rtne( 7e &o6e (o*D
OKDL Re"d(3 on t$e #o*nt o5 t$reeO one3 t7o3 t$reeL T$e #ro7d did 7$"t K*rt "s8ed3 "nd
$e s"id KT$"n8sL.
:$"t " di55eren#e in t$e 7"( K*rt tried to de5end Co*rtne(3 to Co*rtne(?s
#onst"nt de%o&ition ;o' on K*rt. Ri4$t 5ro% t$e st"rt Co*rtne( s"7 K*rt "s $er %e"&
ti#8et. S$e 4ot $i% to %"rr( $er. S$e iso&"ted $i% 5ro% $is 5riends '( 7"( o5 p*n#$in4
t$e% o*t or '( e%'"rr"ssin4 'e$"6io*r. S$e "#ti6e&( en#o*r"4ed %isin5or%"tion "'o*t
K*rt 7it$ re4"rds to $is dr*4 *se3 'e5ore "nd "5ter $is de"t$. S$e &ost interest in $i%
prett( P*i#8&(3 s$e $e&d " tor#$ 5or ReG"'e8 "nd Cor4"n3 "nd possi'&( D"ndo3 "nd 7$o
8no7s 7$"t 7"s 4oin4 on 7it$ Mi#$"e& De7ittD )e %i4$t $"6e o##"sion"&&( 9t$ro7n $er
"ro*nd t$e roo%9.
C$"r&es Cross9 portr"("& o5 K*rt9s 5in"& %o%ents in t$e 4reen$o*se (C$"pter 2-3
p"4es --2 to -42! 7ere tot"&&( #on#o#ted. T$ere is no 7"( $e #o*&d $"6e 8no7n 7$"t
e="#t&( $"d $"ppened. It "&so %"de t$e re"der 5ee& #r"G( i5 t$e( 'e&ie6ed in "n(t$in4
ot$er t$"n s*i#ide. T$ere "re %"n( re6ie7s "t "%"Gon.#o% '( ot$er re"ders 7$o
noti#ed t$e %ist"8es "nd distortions 7it$ t$is 'oo8. (20! Misin5or%"tion $"s 'een
perpet*"ted "nd '*i&t on to t$e point 7$ere (o* #"n see " #o%p&ete "tte%pt to #o6er,*p
7$"t 7"s 4oin4 on3 '( " ;o*rn"&ist 7$o is " 4ood 5riend o5 Co*rtne(?s.
C)A+TER 4 , +OSSIB@E SUS+ECTS
Fro% F*&( 22- K*rt 7"s %"8in4 tent"ti6e st"te%ents t$"t "&& 7"s not 7e&& 7it$in
$is %"rri"4e. T$is #oin#ided 7it$ t$e tre"t%ent o5 $is sto%"#$ "i&%ent. At t$is ti%e3 $e
7"s 'e4innin4 to 5ee& %ore opti%isti# (see t$e D(&"n C"r&son P*ote on K*rt?s s*##ess5*&
sto%"#$ tre"t%ent3 "&so see t$e pre6io*s&( %entioned No6e%'er 22- Det"i&s
M"4"Gine "rti#&e3 "nd t$e "rti#&e 5ro% t$e F*ne 224 edition o5 Det"i&s3 '( >"6in
Ed7"rds!.
K*rt $"d t$e *pper $"nd 7$en it #"%e to " di6or#e3 $e 7"s #&e"n3 $e didn?t $"6e
" $istor( o5 6io&ent "ss"*&t3 t$e #$"n#es "re t$"t $e 7o*&d 4et #*stod( o5 Fr"n#es. )e
#o*&d #ontro& 7$"t $"ppened3 "nd t$is 7"sn?t "##ept"'&e to Co*rtne(. So3 7$i&st K*rt
7"s #onsiderin4 " di6or#e3 "nd re "rr"n4in4 $is &i5e to re5&e#t 7$"t $e 7"nted3 Mi#$"e&
De:itt "ppe"red on t$e s#ene:
KI en;o( t$e 7e"&t$ 'e#"*se it %e"ns 7e #"n "55ord " n"nn(3 7$i#$ is e=tre%e&(
$e&p5*&. Espe#i"&&( t$e n"nn( 7e?6e 5o*nd3 t$is 4*( 5ro% C"&i5orni" 7$o 7"s " 5riend o5
Co*rtne(?s "nd $"s 'e#o%e one o5 %( 'est 5riendsL. (K*rt3 Me&od( M"8er3 2st A*4*st
22-!. KA &ot o5 7o%en "re 6er( possessi6e o5 ot$er 7o%en3 '*t s$e (Co*rtne(! 7"s
possessi6e "'o*t "n('od(. S$e didn?t 7"nt K*rt to $"6e "n( 5riends e=#ept 5or $er.
Don?t 4et %e 7ron43 s$e #o*&d 'e re"&&( ni#e too3 '*t t$e 7"( s$e tre"ted $i% 7"s s"dL.
(+eter C&e"r( , -3 p4.1.!. Co*rtne( did not3 $o7e6er3 $"6e "n( $esit"tion "'o*t
en#o*r"4in4 K*rt to 'e#o%e 5riends 7it$ Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De:itt. )e 7"s "n o&d 5riend o5
Co*rtne(?s 'e5ore s$e e6er %et K*rt. Fro% F*&( 22- De:itt p&"(ed " &"r4e p"rt in K*rt?s
&i5e. One o5 K*rt9s 5riends &"ter s"id: K)e ;*st 8ept to $i%se&5. E6er( ti%e $e #"%e '"#8
"5ter " to*r3 $e 7o*&d 4et %ore "nd %ore re#&*si6e. T$e on&( peop&e t$"t s"7 $i% " &ot
7ere Co*rtne(3 C"&i3 "nd F"#8ieL. (43 p4.10! AF"#8ie F"rr(3 "not$er o5 Fr"n#es?s n"nnies3
7$o 7"s P*ite ti4$t in t$is 4ro*p3 7ent to @A 7it$ Fr"n#es in M"r#$ 2243 7$i&st C"&i
st"(ed in Se"tt&e. It 7"s "&so F"#8ie t$"t 6isited K*rt in t$e E=od*s re$"' #entre.B )ere
"re so%e ne7s %edi" re5eren#es to C"&i:
Frances 6ean is also there in her pushchair....she/s with her AD year old nanny1
(ali1 who loo*s as though he should %e in the %and rather than loo*ing a!ter the %a%y.
9The Face1 Sept D==B. This interview was held over B days1 %etween Kuly AA2AG D==B:.
5e 9Kurt: tal*s a%out how important it is to have !riends outside the music industry he
can trust. ,&i*e Frances/ nanny1 he/s %ecome one o! my %est !riends. 5e/s not at all
thrilled %y what I do. I totally loo* !orward to seeing him everyday7. (T$e F"#e3 Sept
22-.!
Kurt (o%ain answers the door wearing a %lac* cotton dressJ ,(an you 3ip me
up+7 he says. (ourtney/s not home0 she/s on a two wee* tour o! Europe with her %and
5ole. Kurt and (ourtney/s year old daughter1 Frances 6ean1 is on tour with her. ?ne o!
(o%ain/s nannies1 (ali1 has stayed %ehind. A twenty year old hipster with long dar* hair1
he has %een ta*ing !ashion guidance !rom KurtJ 5e wanders around the house %are!oot1
wearing a water melon print dress. Kurt leads me through the house over2loo*ing a la*e
in northern Seattle. (Det"i&s M"4"Gine3 No6e%'er 22- '( >"6in Ed7"rds3 t$e
inter6ie7s 5or t$is "rti#&e 7ere $e&d in t$e 'e4innin4 o5 F*&( 22-.!
:e see t$"t C"&i 7"s &e5t 7it$ K*rt 7$i&e Co*rtne( 7"s "7"(. C"&i 7ent to Ro%e
7it$ Co*rtne( to %eet *p 7it$ K*rt. C"&i st"(ed in Se"tt&e 7it$ K*rt "5ter t$e
<inter6ention< "nd 7"s sti&& "t K*rt?s $o*se on Apri& 2nd. In s$ort3 it &oo8s &i8e C"&i 7"s
t$ere to 8eep t"'s onH'e5riend K*rt.
To% >r"nt s"id t$"t "5ter K*rt?s de"t$ De:itt?s 5"t$er3 7$o o7ns " #onstr*#tion
#o%p"n( in :"s$in4ton St"te3 7"s "7"rded t$e #ontr"#t to #"rr( o*t s*'st"nti"&
reno6"tions on K*rt?s $o*se. >r"nt 7ondered i5 t$is 7or8 7"s "n "ddition"& p"(,o55 5or
C"&i?s in6o&6e%ent int $e #onspir"#(. T$e $o*se 7"s "&%ost #o%p&ete&( #$"n4ed "nd
re'*i&t: " %"ssi6e "%o*nt o5 7or83 "nd 6er( e=pensi6e.
T$e %ost re#ent %ention o5 Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De:itt t$"t I #"n 5ind is in "n "rti#&e '(
E6erett Tr*e in Me&od( M"8er?s F"n -0t$ 222 edition: ?K1 so her %and mem%ers may
have disappeared to drin* at Seattle/s premier hang out1 the (ha2(ha &ounge1 %ut she
has her !ormer nanny (ali De$itt and her daughter and the Ma*er to *eep her
company....and what could %e more !un than that+ F*rt$er in t$is "rti#&e: ,5ey1 where/s
Frances gone+7 (ourtney demanded o! her !ormer nanny1 as he comes through alone
!rom the other room. ,Don/t lose her. I li*e 5er.7 Frances reappears. So Co*rtne( "nd
De:itt 7ere sti&& on 5riend&( ter%s ne"r&( 5i6e (e"rs "5ter K*rt died.
6hat a'o3t 0y,an 8ar,son? Is h( a s3s+(ct?
D(&"n 7"s K*rt?s #&osest 5riend '*t 7"s "&so " $eroin "ddi#t. To% is #on6in#ed
t$"t "&t$o*4$ D(&"n 7"s *sed '( Co*rtne( in t$is s#$e%e3 $e $"d no 8no7&ed4e t$"t
K*rt 7"s 4oin4 to 'e 8i&&ed. Co*rtne( *ses D(&"n "nd ot$ers "ro*nd $er to ser6e $er
p*rposes. S$e?s 4ot t$e %one( "nd po7er to 4et 7$"t s$e 7"nts. On#e (o* 'e#o%e
p"rt o5 $er inner #ir#&e o5 4op$ers3 (o* do "nd s"( 7$"t s$e te&&s (o* "nd (o* don/t as*
Uuestions. So%e in Co*rtne(?s inner #ir#&e "re n"i6e to 7$"t s$e?s re"&&( #"p"'&e o5.
Ot$ers "re '&inded '( $er 5"%e3 5ort*ne "nd po7er. T$en t$ere "re so%e 7$o "re ;*st
p&"in s#"red. As Co*rtne( re"di&( "d%its3 KIn %( 7or&d peop&e "re prett( s#"red o5 %e...
so t$e( don?t 5*#8 7it$ %e.L (3 p4.2-!
0id 0y,an 5now K3rt was ,yin) d(ad in th( )r((nho3s(?
:ednesd"( ni4$tHe"r&( T$*rsd"( %ornin4 , No. T$*rsd"( ni4$t3 7$en 7e
ret*rned , possi'&(. To% 'e&ie6es Co*rtne( 7"s tr(in4 to dire#t t$e% to dis#o6er t$e
'od(3 '*t D(&"n 7"s re"&&( #on5*sed "'o*t 7$"t 7"s 4oin4 on. B( &"te T$*rsd"(
"5ternoon3 To% $"s re"son to 'e&ie6e D(&"n 8ne7 K*rt 7"s de"d. @"ter t$"t ni4$t3
Co*rtne( to&d $i%3 KBe s*re "nd #$e#8 t$e 4reen$o*se.L :$( didn?t $eD Gec$use 2e
1$3 not 2$ve want(d toE (3 p4.2-!
D(&"n?s in " di55i#*&t sit*"tion. It?s e"s( to pinpoint $i% "nd s"( $e?s s*spi#io*s3
'*t 7$i&e t$e po&i#e "ren?t t"8in4 t$is #"se serio*s&(3 D(&"n $"s no prote#tion. I5 (o*r 'est
5riend 7"s 5o*nd de"d "nd (o* 8ne7 $e 7"sn?t s*i#id"&3 '*t t$e po&i#e 7ere s"(in4 t$"t
$e 7"s s*i#id"& "nd t$e %edi" 7ere s"(in4 $e 7"s s*i#id"&3 '*t (o* 7ent to t$e po&i#e
"nd s"id t$"t $e 7"sn?t s*i#id"&3 "nd i5 t$e po&i#e t$en to&d (o* to 4o "7"(3 "t so%e point
(o*?d t$in8 t$"t KI?% one o5 t$e 5e7 peop&e t$"t "re 4i6in4 re"son to do*'t t$is s*i#ide
"nd I?d 'etter s$*t *p "nd 'e #"re5*& "'o*t 7$"t I s"(.L D(&"n 4"6e t$e po&i#e 4ood
re"son to in6esti4"te K*rt?s de"t$ proper&(. No one 7o*&d do t$"t i5 t$e( $"d 'een
in6o&6ed in " %*rder p&ot or i5 t$e( $"d %*rdered so%eone.
TRANSCRI+T OF BROOMFIE@D INTERIIE: :IT) DR@AN CAR@SON IN <KURT
AND COURTNER<
In t$e 5i&% K*rt "nd Co*rtne( Ni#8 Broo%5ie&d inter6ie7ed D(&"n C"r&son. )is
introd*#tion to t$is inter6ie7 is "s 5o&&o7s:
KI 5o*nd D(&"n to 'e e6"si6e "nd in " 6er( de5ensi6e position. As K*rt?s 'est 5riend it 7"s
#r"G( 5or $i% to $"6e 'o*4$t t$e 4*n i5 $e t$o*4$t K*rt 7"s s*i#id"&. At t$e s"%e ti%e $e
didn?t 7"nt to "ppe"r to 'e s*pportin4 To% >r"nt?s %*rder t$eor(.....L
Broo%5ie&d: And 7$"t "'o*t $is re&"tions$ip 7it$ Co*rtne(D
C"r&son: U%3 o'6io*s&( it 7"s 4oin4 t$ro*4$ " t*r'*&en#e3 so%e t*r'*&en#e. :$et$er it
7"s 4oin4 to end or not 7e don?t 8no7. I don?t t$in8 7e e6er 7i&&3 I %e"n3 (o* 8no73 '*t I
%e"n "&& %"rri"4es 4o t$ro*4$ t$eir *ps "nd do7ns.
Broo%5ie&d: Did $e e6er s"( "n(t$in4 to (o* "'o*t3 I %e"n3 $e did s"( it to p&ent( o5
ot$er peop&e...
C"r&son: S"id 7$"tD
Broo%5ie&d: T$"t $e 7"s 4oin4 to 5inis$ t$e re&"tions$ip.
C"r&son: Di6or#eD I %e"n3 $e ne6er3 $e ne6er 5&"t o*t s"id "n(t$in4 &i8e t$"t or "n(
i%p&i#"tion "'o*t it to %e3 (o* 8no7. I %e"n3 $e didn?t e6en %"8e "n( $ints "s 5"r "s I
8no7 "'o*t "n( 8ind o5 di6or#e or "n(t$in4 &i8e t$"t.
Broo%5ie&d: I %e"n3 i5 (o* "re $is 'est 5riend "nd $e didn?t s"( "n(t$in4 "'o*t 'ein4
depressed or s*i#id"&3 $e ;*st 7"nted t$e 4*n 5or pro7&ers3 "nd t$"t Ro%e 7"s ;*st "n
"##ident3 (o* 8no73 %"('e (o* 7o*&d t$in8 "&so $e #o*&d $"6e 'een %*rderedD
C"r&son: M%%3 7$(D I %e"n3 7$oD I %e"n3 it?s &i8e.....
Broo%5ie&d: :e&& i5 (o* 7ere $is 'est 5riend "nd $e ne6er s"id "n(t$in4 "'o*t "n(t$in4
'ein4 7ron43 "nd $e?d seen (o* ;*st 'e5ore, (o* 8no73 %"('e To% >r"nt is ri4$t3
%"('e $e 7"s %*rdered.
C"r&son: B*t I %e"n $e doesn?t $"6e to s"( "n(t$in4 "'o*t it 'ein4 7ron4. I %e"n3 it?s
&i8e3 (o* 8no73 7$en (o* "re 5riends 7it$ so%eone t$ere is &i8e s*'t&er 5or%s o5
in5or%"tion tr"ns5er t$"n ;*st 5&"t o*t3 (o* 8no7...
Broo%5ie&d: So 7$"t did $e s*'t&( #o%%*ni#"te to (o*D.
C"r&son: I %e"n3 it?s &i8e3 I?% ;*st s"(in4 it?s &i8e3 7$(D...
Broo%5ie&d: I?% ;*st tr(in4 to 4et " sense o5 7$"t $e did #o%%*ni#"te to (o*. :$"t (o*
*nderstood.
C"r&son: I %e"n3 t$e t$in4 is it?s &i8e3 t$e ti%e $e 7o*&d $"6e 'een #o%%*ni#"tin4 "n(
sort o53 (o* 8no73 sense t$"t $e 7"nted to 8i&& $i%se&5 7"s "&re"d(....7"s 7$en $e #"%e
'"#8 5ro% E=od*s3 7$en I didn?t see $i%3 (o* 8no7.
Broo%5ie&d: B*t i5 (o* 'o*4$t t$e 4*n 'e5ore $e 7ent "nd (o* t$in8 $e 7"s no7
s*i#id"&...
C"r&son: I don?t t$in8 $e 7"s ne#ess"ri&( &i8e p&"nnin4 to 8i&& $i%se&5 "t t$"t point
ne#ess"ri&(3 I %e"n3 I don?t 8no7 t$o*4$...I %e"n...
Broo%5ie&d: It 7"s ;*st " #oin#iden#e.
C"r&son: I %e"n3 it?s &i8e i5 $e $"d 'een tot"&&( &i8e s*i#id"& 5ro% t$e o*tset $e 7o*&d $"6e
*sed t$e 4*n t$"t d"( pro'"'&(3 (o* 8no7 7$"t I %e"n3 7$( did $e &i8e tr( to 4o do7n
"nd 4o t$ro*4$ tre"t%entD
Broo%5ie&d: :$( do (o* t$in8D
C"r&son: Ro* 8no73 7e&& ?#os t$ere 7"s "&& t$e 5]]8in4 press*re on $i% to 4o t$ro*4$
tre"t%ent. )is 7i5e is te&&in4 $i% $e needs to 4o t$ro*4$ tre"t%ent3 $is re#ord #o%p"n(3
$is %"n"4e%ent3 (o* 8no7. So $e 4oes "nd $e tries to 4et o55 dr*4s "nd $e #"n?t or $e
doesn?t 7"nt to. I %e"n it?s &i8e '"si#"&&( $e doesn?t 7"nt to #os it?s &i8e3 (o* 8no73 t$ere
is no re"son 5or $i% to 4et o55 dr*4s. Ro* 8no73 it?s not &i8e $e?s po6ert( stri#8en "nd
ro''in4 4ro#er( stores to s*pp&( $is $"'it.
Broo%5ie&d: B*t $o7 7"s Co*rtne( te&&in4 $i% to 'e o55 dr*4s 7$en s$e 7"s on t$e%
"n(7"(D
C"r&son: I d*nno3 ?#os s$e 7"s t$e one 7$o 7"s "&& 4*n4,$o 5or $i% to P*it. I %e"n3 t$e(
7ere 'ot$ #onst"nt&( &i8e3 I %e"n3 tr(in4 to $ide it 5ro% one "not$er. I %e"n3 t$e %ost
ridi#*&o*s e="%p&e 7"s one ti%e K*rt #"&&ed %e *p to 4et so%e speed "nd t$en t$e
ot$er &ine r"n4 "nd I "ns7ered t$e ot$er &ine "nd it 7"s Co*rtne( "s8in4 %e to 4et $er
dope3 "nd 'ot$ o5 t$e% 7ere &i8e3 KO$3 don?t &et t$e ot$er one 8no7 (s%i&es!3 I %e"n....
Broo%5ie&d: I don?t 8no7 7$"t I t$in8 "'o*t t$e 7$o&e %*rder #onspir"#(.
C"r&son: +*t it t$is 7"(3 i5 I serio*s&( t$o*4$t K*rt $"d 'een %*rdered3 t$e peop&e... i5 I
t$o*4$t Co*rtne( 7"s in6o&6ed or i5 I t$o*4$t3 t$e( 7o*&d 'e de"d no73 5&"t o*t( s%"&&
&"*4$.! I 7o*&d 8i&& t$e%. I5 I t$o*4$t t$"t 7"s t$e #"se3 I %e"n3....
Broo%5ie&d: U%%%.
C"r&son: I %e"n....
Broo%5ie&d: B*t don?t (o* t$in8 it?s #*rio*s t$"t i5 Co*rtne( "s (o* s"id &o6ed K*rt so
%*#$3 "nd s$e 7"s re"&&( so 7orried "'o*t $i%3 s$e 8ne7 $e $"d " 4*n "nd t$o*4$t $e
7"s s*i#id"&. T$"t s$e didn?t #o%e *p to Se"tt&e to &oo8 5or $i%D
At t$is point C"r&son &oo8s t$o*4$t5*& '*t s"(s not$in4.
END OF INTERIIE:
C)A+TER . , CONC@USIONS
KIt $"rd&( %"8es %e 5ee& 'etter3 '*t I &"ter &e"rned t$"t 6irt*"&&( e6er(one
#&ose to K*rt $"d " si%i&"r stor(. So%et$in4 7ent terri'&( 7ron4 ri4$t "t t$e endL.
(Mi#$"e& AGerr"d3 QCo%e As Ro* Are? p -44.! KCo*rtne( "&7"(s $"s "n "4end"L. (I"nit(
F"ir "rti#&e3 222!. KS$e en#o*r"4ed $i% to do $eroin. A#t*"&&( Co*rtne(?s 6er( s%"rt.
S$e 8ne7 t$"t t$e %ore dr*4s K*rt did t$e &ess #$"n#e $e?d 'e in " st"te to 4et *p "nd
&e"6e $erL. (D(&"n C"r&son3 -3 p4./2!.
Co*rtne(?s 'e$"6io*r3 %"nip*&"tion "nd #"&#*&"tion "&so #re"ted " %o*nt"in o5
%isin5or%"tion "'o*t K*rt. )er Mod*s Oper"ndi 5or %*rder is o'6io*s&( so%et$in4 to
7$i#$ s$e $"s 4i6en ti%e "nd t$o*4$t to. It 5"6o*rs #*nnin4 "nd 6io&en#e. S$e $"d
st"rted spre"din4 t$e dr*4 r*%ors 'e5ore si4nin4 to >e55en in 222. :$en s$e did "
@ondon 4i4 in De#e%'er 223 s$e t$re7 st*55 o*t to t$e "*dien#e "nd s"id: KT$is is
$eroin. I &o6e $eroin3 I do it "&& t$e ti%e. Me "nd %( 'o(5riend3 7e do $eroin "&& t$e ti%eL.
Co*rtne( 7"s 'rin4in4 *p t$e $eroin. T$ere?s no do*'t t$"t K*rt *sed $eroin "t one ti%e3
'*t Co*rtne( 7"s en#o*r"4in4 &ies "nd %isper#eption o5 7$o K*rt 7"s. B( De#e%'er
223 s$e $"d K*rt tr"pped 'e#"*se o5 $er pre4n"n#(.
A##ordin4 to I"nit( F"ir?s Septe%'er 222 edition K*rt "nd Co*rtne( 4ot
to4et$er in e"r&( O#to'er 22. Ne6er%ind $it t$e top 0 in No6HDe# 22. Co*rtne(
7"s pre4n"nt '( %idH&"te No6e%'er 22. B( t$"t ti%e3 QTeen Spirit? 7"s MTI?s
n*%'er,one 6ideo3 "nd Ne6er%ind 7"s "'so&*te&( #$"r4in4 *p t$e #$"rts. On t$e
ei4$teent$ o5 t$"t %ont$ Nir6"n" 7"s "&re"d( n*%'er se6en on t$e "&'*% #$"rts.(QOn
T$e Ro"d To Nir6"n"? '( >in" Arno&d3 p 2--!. On De# .t$ 22 K*rt "nd Co*rtne( 4ot
en4"4ed (QCo%e As Ro* Are? p 200!. T$e( 7ere in Fr"n#e3 '*t t$e ne=t d"( K*rt 5inis$ed
$is to*r "nd 5&e7 '"#8 to A%eri#"3 &e"6in4 Co*rtne( to 5inis$ $er to*r. KBein4 5ro%
A'erdeen "nd r"ised 7it$ so%e sense o5 5"%i&( 6"&*es3 K*rt t$o*4$t $e $"d no #$oi#e
'*t to %"rr( Co*rtne(. I 8no7 $e &i8ed $er " &ot3 '*t $e 7o*&d s"( %"n( ti%es t$"t $e
7"s not s*re i5 $e 7"s in &o6e. B*t K*rt s"id $e 7"s #on6in#ed t$"t (o* didn?t $"6e to 'e
in &o6e to 4et %"rried. @"ter3 I t$in8 $e re"&&( &o6ed $erL. (D(&"n C"r&son: -3 p4./.!. So on
Fe' 24t$ 222 $e %"rried $er.
T$e o6erdose in Ro%e (M"r#$ 224! 7"s "ttri'*ted to " #o%'in"tion o5
#$"%p"4ne "nd Ro$(pno&. T$ere $"s ne6er 'een "n( in#&*sion o5 $eroin in t$is
#o%'in"tion3 7$i#$ i%p&ies no $eroin 7"s 5o*nd in K*rt?s s(ste%. T$is s*pports B"r'er
"nd S$e&&e(?s #&"i%s t$"t K*rt 7"s #&e"n. It 7o*&d "&so e=p&"in 7$( K*rt denied $e $"d "
dr*4 pro'&e% 7$en $e 7"s 5"#ed 7it$ t$e inter6ention3 "nd Ste6e C$"to55?s st"te%ent:
K)e 7"s in 5*&& deni"&.L (43 p4.12!. And D(&"n C"r&son?s P*ote: K)e 5e&t &i8e $e $"d no
$"'it3L (2.3 p4.-24!.
No7 i%"4ine i5 (o*?d tried to %*rder so%eone *sin4 Ro$(pno& "nd #$"%p"4ne3
"nd (o* re"&&( t$o*4$t (o*?d s*##eeded3 on&( to see t$"t person re#o6er. I53 " %ont$
&"ter3 (o* %"n"4ed to 4et t$"t person dr*44edH#o%"tose "4"in3 e6en i5 (o* t$o*4$t t$e
person 7"s de"d3 %"('e t$e stress o5 t$e &"st %ont$ 7o*&d &e"d (o* to s$oot t$"t
person to %"8e "'so&*te&( #ert"in t$ere 7"s no 7"( t$e person #o*&d re#o6er3 espe#i"&&(
i5 t$ere 7"s " 4*n "t $"nd.
T$ere "re t7o p$oto4r"p$s o5 K*rt $o&din4 " 4*n to $is $e"d3 one o5 7$i#$ 7"s
t"8en '( Ro*ri @enP*ette in " Fe'r*"r( 224 session in +"ris. Ro*ri "d%itted "s8in4
K*rt to stri8e t$"t pose (-3 p4.10!3 In @o"ded9s F*ne 224 edition3 Ro*ri @enP*ette
st"ted: ,Kurt was li*e a child playing with a new toy17 &enUuette says as we peruse the
photos together. ,5e wasn/t in a %ad mood or !eeling depressed when we did those
photo sessions.7 At one point the irvana singer even agreed to don a ridiculously large
!eathery hat... (@o"ded3 F*ne 224!. A##ordin4 to @enP*ette3 K*rt 7"s 5oo&in4 "ro*nd
7$i&e p&"(in4 7it$ t$e 4*n. In one o5 t$e p$otos t"8en3 K*rt pointed t$e 4*n "t $is
dr*%%er3 D"6e >ro$&3 '*t it didn?t %e"n t$"t $e 7"s &iter"&&( 4oin4 to 8i&& D"6e. K*rt $"d
"&so %"de " 5e7 #o%%ents "'o*t '&o7in4 $is 'r"ins o*t. It 7o*&dn?t 'e di55i#*&t 5or "
deter%ined "nd %"nip*&"ti6e person to %"8e it &oo8 &i8e K*rt 7"s Ks*i#id"&.L T$e p$otos
"nd P*otes #o*&d e"si&( $"6e 'een *sed "s t$e '&*eprint 5or %*rder. Used '( " 7ido7
7$o stood to in$erit " 5ort*ne 5ro% $is de"t$ '( Ks*i#ideL.
K*rt 7"s in " 6*&ner"'&e position , $e 7"s #opin4 7it$ %"ssi6e "nd inst"nt 5"%e
"s 7e&& "s "n e=#r*#i"tin4 sto%"#$ pro'&e%. )e *sed %et$"done "nd $eroin "s " &"st
resort to di%inis$ t$e p"in3 7$i#$ is *nderst"nd"'&e to " de4ree. )e ne6er 'o"sted
"'o*t $is dr*4 *se3 $e tried to 8eep it P*iet.
Co*rtne( didn?t st"( si&ent: s$e e&"'or"ted on t$e dr*4 r*%ors "nd &e"8ed it to
t$e %edi". Co*rtne( did " I"nit( F"ir "rti#&e d*rin4 7$i#$ s$e t"&8ed o5 *sin4 $eroin
"5ter s$e $"d 5o*nd o*t s$e 7"s pre4n"nt. Co*rtne( #&"i%ed t$"t s$e $"d 'een
%isP*oted3 '*t t$e inter6ie7er @(nn )irs#$'er4 insisted s$e $"d t$e t"pes o5 t$e
inter6ie7s (QCo%e As Ro* Are? p4.2//!. T$is "rti#&e3 (5or t$e Septe%'er 222 edition!3
P*oted *nn"%ed so*r#es "##o*nts o5 K*rt "nd Co*rtne(?s dr*4 *se d*rin4 t$e ti%e t$e(
&i6ed in F"ir5"=3 @A. One o5 t$ese so*r#es 7$o 7"s des#ri'ed "s " K5riendL s"id: KIt?s "
si#8 s#ene in t$"t "p"rt%entL.
:$i#$ 7"s e="#t&( 7$"t Co*rtne( 7"s e"4er to i%press on AGerr"d 7$en
re#o*ntin4 t$e e6ents "t t$e s"%e @A "p"rt%ent: KT$"t 7"s " si#8 s#ene...t$"t 7"s
4ross. T$"t 7"s " si#8 s#ene i5 e6er t$ere 7"s " si#8 s#eneL. As K*rt "d%its3 KT$e
'"t$roo% didn?t s%e&& 6er( 4oodK (QCo%e As Ro* Are? p 24/!.
I5 (o* 7"nt to #$e#8 t$is o*t3 &oo8 *p p"4e 10 o5 t$e 22- edition o5 QNir6"n" And
T$e So*nd o5 Se"tt&e? '( Br"d Morre&& or S"nd5ord p 2-2!. Bot$ t$e AGerr"d "nd Morre&&
'oo8s 7ere p*'&is$ed in O#to'er 22- so it isn?t in#on#ei6"'&e t$"t i! K*rt re"d t$e% $e
7o*&d $"6e "&so noti#ed Co*rtne( 7"s s"(in4 e="#t&( 7$"t t$e *nn"%edHinside so*r#es
7ere s"(in4. Sin#e t$e I"nit( F"ir pie#e 7"s '"sed &"r4e&( on *nn"%ed Kinside
so*r#esL3 K*rt $"d to de"& 7it$ t$e pro5o*nd dis"ppoint%ent "nd p"r"noi" t$"t "rose:
so%e o5 $is %ost tr*sted 5riends or "sso#i"tes %"( $"6e 'etr"(ed $i%. K:e?d "&re"d(
t*rned into #"rtoon #$"r"#ters '( t$en "nd it ;*sti5ied e6er(t$in4 , "&& t$e &ies "nd
r*%o*rs t$"t $"d 'een 4oin4 "ro*nd3L s"(s K*rt. KI ;*st 5o*nd it "%"Gin4 t$"t so%eone
#o*&d 4et "7"( 7it$ so%et$in4 &i8e t$"tL. (QCo%e "s Ro* Are? p4.2/1!. As " res*&t o5 t$e
I"nit( F"ir "rti#&e t$e( &ost #*stod( o5 Fr"n#es. Aro*nd one %ont$3 U2403000 in &e4"&
'i&&s "nd ro*tine dr*4 tests &"ter t$e( re4"ined #*stod(.
In O#to'er Ii#tori" C&"r8e "nd Britt Co&&ins st"rted to rese"r#$ 5or t$eir 'oo8
"'o*t Nir6"n". T$e( inter6ie7ed @(nn )irs#$'er43 "%on4st ot$ers. Mess"4es 7ere &e5t
on C&"r8e9s 6oi#e%"i&3 so%e o5 7$i#$ $"6e 'een %"de "6"i&"'&e on Broo%5ie&d?s 5i&%.
One #"n #&e"r&( $e"r t$e en;o(%ent in Co*rtne(?s 6oi#e3 "nd t$e desp"ir in K*rt?s3 7$o
7"s 7orried t$"t t$e r*%o*rs "nd *nn"%ed so*r#es 7o*&d "4"in t$re"ten t$e &oss o5 $is
#$i&d. KT$e di"&o4*e "ttri'*ted to Co'"in 7"s st"r8er3 &ess #o$erent3 %ore #on5*sedL.
(QNir6"n" "nd T$e So*nd O5 Se"tt&e? '( Br"d Morre&&3 p 20!. T$e M"r#$ 22- edition o5
Se&e#t %"4"Gine reported t$"t K*rt so*nded K6er( distressedL in t$ese t"pes. E6en
+opp( \ Brite (p 44! interpreted K*rt "s so*ndin4 K(o*n43 $o"rse3 "nd 'itterL d*rin4
t$ese #"&&s. O5 t$ese t"pes3 K*rt s"id: KI don?t en;o( peop&e 5*#8in4 7it$ %( 5"%i&( "nd
#"rr(in4 on t$e tr"dition o5 &ies "nd s&"nder. I don?t deser6e it. No one deser6es itL.
(QCo%e As Ro* Are? p 212!. T$en3 7it$in " %ont$ Co*rtne( p$oned Me&iss" Rossi (No6
222! "nd to&d $er K*rt 7"s K&ost to dr*4sK.
:$en t$e I"nit( F"ir "rti#&e #"%e o*t3 K*rt no7 $"d t$e "dded pro'&e%s o5
tr(in4 to 4et #*stod( o5 Fr"n#es "nd 'ein4 s$"#8&ed to " 7i5e 7$o 7"s en#o*r"4in4 '"d
p*'&i#it(. S$e e6en to&d Rossi K*rt 7"s *sin4 7$en $e 7"sn?t. T$is 7"s " de&i'er"te
"tte%pt to destro( K*rt 5ro% t$e st"rt '( p&"ntin4 &ies in t$e %edi"3 en#o*r"4in4 t$e dr*4
r*%o*rs 7$i#$ &ost t$e% #*stod( o5 t$eir #$i&d. Co*rtne( #o*&d not 8eep $er %o*t$ s$*t
7it$ re4"rds to dr*4s in 4ener"& "nd K*rt?s *se in p"rti#*&"r. T$is %"8es Co*rtne( eit$er
#o%p&ete&( st*pid or %"nip*&"ti6e.
Co*rtne( 'o"sted o5 *sin4 $eroin 7$i&st (o* "re pre4n"nt "nd t$en 5ei4ned
s*rprise 7$en t$e %edi" #"%e do7n on $er &i8e " ton o5 'ri#8s. S$e "&so to&d ;o*rn"&ists
t$"t $er $*s'"nd K*rt 7"s *sin4 $eroin ;*st "5ter t$e( $"d re4"ined #*stod( t$eir
d"*4$ter3 7$o 7"s initi"&&( t"8en "7"( 'e#"*se $er p"rents 7ere dee%ed in#"p"'&e o5
&oo8in4 "5ter t$eir o7n #$i&d. :$( did s$e s"( "nd do t$ese t$in4sD S$e didn?t do it
'e#"*se s$e 7"s st*pid. S$e did it 5or t$e p*'&i#it(. S$e isn?t st*pid3 s$e 8ne7 7$"t s$e
7"s doin43 "nd s$e 7"s per5e#t&( prep"red to #r*#i5( K*rt in t$e pro#ess.
:$en (o* &isten to t$e t"pes o5 Co*rtne( t$re"tenin4 ;o*rn"&ist Ii#tori" C&"r8e
(o* #"n $e"r t$e en;o(%ent in $er 6oi#e. :$en (o* &isten to K*rt (o* #"n $e"r t$e
desp"ir. T$"t is t$e di55eren#e. It 7"s " 4"%e to Co*rtne(. It 7"s desper"tion to K*rt.
:$i&st $e 7"s tr(in4 to de5end $er "nd $is 5"%i&(3 s$e 7"s *nder$"nded&( tr(in4 to
destro( it. K*rt 4ot pissed o55 "'o*t t$e persistent "nd in#orre#t r*%o*rs o5 $is dr*4 *se.
)e didn?t re"&ise t$"t it 7"s $is o7n 7i5e 7$o en#o*r"4ed t$ese r*%o*rs. S$e did it to
$i% 7$en $e 7"s "&i6e3 "nd s$e did it to $i% "5ter $e 7"s %*rdered.
Co*rtne(9s pre6io*s $*s'"nd F"%es More&"nd s"id3 7$en re#"&&in4 $er pre6io*s
dr*4 *se 7$i&st pre4n"nt 7$i#$ e6ent*"&&( 5or#ed $er to $"6e "n "'ortion: KIt 7"s "
ni4$t%"re3 I?&& ne6er 5or4i6e $er 5or t$"tL. And ;*st &i8e @(nn )irs#$'er4 s"id: KCo*rtne( is
" tr"in,7re#8 person"&it( 7$o is not interested in t$e #onseP*en#es o5 $er "#tionsL. B(
"ro*nd F*&( 22-3 K*rt %"( $"6e #o%e to t$e s"%e #on#&*sion. :$en (o* "re %"rried
to so%eone (o* &o6e3 "nd (o* $"6e " #$i&d3 (o* do not "#t in t$"t 7"( *n&ess (o* "re
st*pid or "re "#tin4 o*t o5 se&5 interest.
REFERENCES TO )AM@ET
KI?6e "&7"(s 'een &oo8in4 5or t$e P*"dr*p&e entendre3 (o* 8no73 t$e '"rd3 (o* 8no73
7$"t S$"8espe"re #o*&d doL. (Co*rtne( on t$e B"r'"r" :"&ters s$o7!.
K.."nd $o7 Dr B"8er (" senior ps(#$ot$er"pist "t C"n(on R"n#$3 " $e"&t$ "nd 7e&&ness
resort t$e #o*p&e "ttended! s"id t$"t &i8e )"%&et3 $e $"d to #$oose &i5e or de"t$3 "nd t$"t
$e?s #$oosin4 de"t$L. (Co*rtne( t"&8in4 "'o*t Ro%e3 Spin?s Fe' 22. edition!.
KToo '"d I?% not " 4*( 'e#"*se "&& I 7"nt to do is p&"( )"%&et. A&& t$e 4*(s t$"t I 4o o*t
7it$ $"6e to p&"( )"%&etL. (Co*rtne(3 Se"tt&e Ti%es De# 0t$ 22/!.
<For proo5..Co*rtne( P*oted )"%&et.< (QB"'es in To(&"nd3 T$e M"8in4 And Se&&in4 O5 A
Ro#8 And Ro&& B"nd? p.2.03 '( Ne"& K"r&en!.
KI5 (o* 7"nt so%eone to 'e '"d 5or (o*3 t$ere "re p&ent( o5 4ir&s 7it$ #$"ris%" 7$o "re
'"d3 7$o 7i&& s$oot dr*4s intr"6eno*s&( "nd s&eep 7it$ &ots o5 peop&e3 7$o 7i&& p&"( t$e
p"rt o5 Op$e&i". I?% ;*st not 4onn" do itL (Co*rtne(3 T$e Se"tt&e +ost Inte&&i4en#er3 Apri&
1t$ 224. T$is 7"s ori4in"&&( 5ro% t$e M"r#$HApri& iss*e o5 Option. Ste#8?s portr"it o5
Op$e&i" is on t$e #o6er o5 QCe&e'rit( S8in?!.
K:it$ %e "nd K*rt it 7"s eit$er Bonnie "nd C&(de3 Sid "nd N"n#( or %o%%(... t$e
eP*"&it( 7"s '"sed on Bonnie "nd C&(de..."nd Ro%eo "nd F*&iet. B*t it 7"s "&so )"%&et
"nd )"%&et. Not )"%&et "nd Op$e&i". T$ese t7o 5]]8in4 )"%&ets sittin4 "ro*ndL.
(Co*rtne(3 Spin Fe' 22. edition!.
>ossip #o&*%ns s8e7ered (Co*rtne(! 5or $er 'e$"6io*r d*rin4 " per5or%"n#e o5 )"%&et
7$i#$ s$e "ttended 7it$ %*si#i"n Fe55 B*#8&e(. In 'et7een se"r#$in4 5or pi&&s3 s$e t"&8ed
&o*d&(3 notin43 KT$is is %( 5"6o*rite &ineJL t$ro*4$o*t t$e p&"(. (Rossi3 p 244!.
)o&e?s sin4&e3 QBe"*ti5*& Son?3 7"s re&e"sed in E*rope on Apri& .t$ 22- ("&%ost " (e"r to
t$e d"( o5 K*rt9s de"t$!. T$e 5ront #o6er $"s " p$oto o5 K*rt "4e "'o*t si=. On t$e '"#8
#o6er t$ere is " &ist 7$ere t$e 5o&&o7in4 #"n 'e 5o*nd: )"%&et +rin#e o5 d (t$e rest
#o6ered!. F*rt$er do7n: C&"*di*s in %( pet"& pin8 s&ip.
:$en (o* &oo8 "t Co*rtne(3 ti%e "nd "4"in (o* see t$ese re#*rrin4 t$e%es o5
dr*4s3 de"t$3 %*rder3 poison3 repti&es "nd sn"8es 4ettin4 *nder peop&es s8in3 #ontro&3
'"#8,st"''in4 "nd 7innin4. In t$e S$"8espe"re p&"(3 )"%&et3 t$e 4$ost o5 t$e 8in4
des#ri'es t$e %et$od o5 $is %*rder. )e 7orded it "s 5o&&o7s: A serpent stung me0 so the
whole ear o! Denmar* is %y a !orged process o! my death ran*ly a%us/d0 %ut *now1 thou
no%le youth1 the serpent that did sting thy !ather/s li!e now wears his crown... In the
porches o! my ears did pour the leprous distilment0 whose e!!ect holds such enmity with
the %lood o! man that swi!t as Uuic*silver it courses through the natural gates and alleys
o! the %ody0 And with a sudden vigour it doth posset and curd1 li*e eager droppings into
mil*1 the thin and wholesome %lood.
Dr*4s &i8e Ro$(pno& "nd $eroin "re no di55erent to t$ose de"d&( poisons *sed in
S$"8espe"re?s ti%e.
Co*rtne(?s 5"s#in"tion 5or t$is s*';e#t 'e5ore "nd "5ter K*rt died "&on4 7it$ t$e
*ndeni"'&e 5"#t t$"t s$e $"d (e"rs o5 e=perien#e o5 dr*4 *se "nd t$"t t$o*s"nds o5
peop&e 'e&ie6e3 "t t$is point3 t$"t K*rt 7"s %*rdered3 #"nnot 'e i4nored. T$en3 on M"r#$
-rd 224 Co*rtne( t"&8ed "'o*t $o7 s$e 7o*&d %i= di$(dro#odeines 7it$ Ro$(pno& "nd
#$"%p"4ne to E6erett Tr*e. And s$e "&so t"&8ed "'o*t $er dr*4 *se to Andre7 )"rrison
"t Se&e#t %"4"Gine.
A5ter t$e Ro%e in#ident3 s$e #"&&ed t$e Se&e#t o55i#es "4"in 5ro% )e"t$ro7
"irport , She sounds e<hausted1 weary in mind as well as in %ody %ut relieved too. This
is what she saysJ ,It was -ust horri%le. 5e had those pills1 the ones I was popping right in
!ront o! you+ 5e/s %een in Slovenia or one o! those gross places and I mean1 he gets
depressed and he never drin*s...I wo*e up at si< in the morning and I reached !or him
and he had %lood coming out his nose. It was almost a Kohn 6onham thing. I *now it
sounds gli% %ut I really thought he was dead7... She turns !rom the phone and as*s (ally
Q(aliR to order her a 6loody Mary... There/s an airport %ing2%ong on the line and in the
%ac*ground (ally Q(aliR is calling her. Their !light is leaving soon. (Se&e#t %"4"Gine3 M"(
224.!
In Me&iss" Rossi?s 'oo8 S*een o5 Noise 7e re"d on p4..0 t$"t t$e Boston
+$oeni= re#ei6ed " &etter 7$i#$ Rossi #&"i%s 7"s in Co*rtne(?s $"nd7ritin43 t$is $"s
'een #on5ir%ed '( +$oeni= 7riter Brett Mi&"no (-3 p4.04!3 '*t 7$i#$ is 'ein4 p"ssed o55
"s t$e 7or8 o5 K*rt. T$is &etter 'rin4s *p t$e s*';e#t o5 $is re&"tions$ip 7it$ M"r( @o*
@ord 7$ere $e (in re"&it( Co*rtne(! s"(s: KI ne6er too8 $er "n(7$ere e=#ept %"('e into
t$e '"#8("rd to s$oot $er.L T$is st"te%ent s$o7s " de5inite tr"i& o5 t$o*4$t i.e.3 don?t
s$oot $er in t$e $o*se t"8e $er o*tside "nd do it t$ere. Not in t$e $o*se '*t in t$e
'"#8("rd3 (%"('e in t$e 4reen$o*se in t$e '"#8("rd!. T$e 4reen$o*se K*rt died in 7"s
ordered to 'e de%o&is$ed '( Co*rtne(3 7$o $"s sin#e #&"i%ed t$"t t$is 7"s done
'e#"*se t$e &"nd it 7"s on 'e&on4ed to t$e p"r8 "d;"#ent to $er propert(3 "nd t$"t t$is
&"nd $"d to 'e ret*rned. (+opp( \ Brite?s Co*rtne( @o6e: T$e Re"& Stor( p4.22.!
I5 Me&iss" Rossi "nd Brett Mi&"no "re ri4$t in #&"i%in4 t$e &etter 7"s in Co*rtne(?s
7ritin4 t$en it s$o7s Co*rtne( #o*&d "nd did 7rite t$in4s 7$i#$ s$e t$en p"ssed o55 "s
t$e 7or8 o5 K*rt 7it$ re4"rds to t$e &"st 4 &ines o5 t$e Ks*i#ideL note. :e s$o*&d note t$"t
Co*rtne( $"d d*4 t$ro*4$ $er o&d 'o(5riend9s (RoGG ReG"'e8! note'oo8s3 ;o*rn"&s "nd
&o6e &etters 5ro% $is 5or%er 5"ns , 4r"din4 t$e% "nd 7ritin4 $er o7n #o%%ents in $is
di"ries. (Rossi p4.00!. S$e %"( $"6e done t$e s"%e to K*rt.
T$e 5or4ed &etter "&so $"d " de5inite pre5eren#e3 &o#"tion 7ise3 "s to 7$ere to
s$oot so%eone. T7o p"r"4r"p$s &"ter Rossi st"ted t$"t Co*rtne( t$re"tened @ord o6er
t$e p$one 7it$: KI9% 4onn" #*t o55 (o*r $e"d...... "nd K*rt?s 4onn" t$ro7 (o* in t$e
o6en.L Iio&en#e to t$e 6i#ti%s $e"d "nd t$en #re%"tion. T$en3 on p4./2 o5 S*een o5
Noise Co*rtne( 4ets into 5*&& stride: KDe5(3 de5(. Use (o*r &i5eti%e o5 s*ppression "nd
de'*n8 t$e% (%en3 p"rti#*&"r&( #orpor"te oppressi6e ones!. D*pe t$e%. T"8e t$e% in
t$eir s&eep 7$en t$e( &e"st e=pe#t it. Ass"ssin"tion p&ots ne6er $*rt )it&er. T$e on&( 7"(
$e #o*&d $"6e 'een e&i%in"ted 7"s '( " 7o%"n or " s&eeper 7$o sn*#8 in " 8ni5e3 7$o
4"ined $is tr*st "ndt$en st"''ed $i% "s $e dro7sed o55. De5(3de5(....L (T$is 7"s
ori4in"&&( 5ro% Me&od( M"8er?s F*&( 0t$ 22- edition.!
@et?s see 7$"t Co*rtne( s"(s:
K:"s it ne#ess"r( to *se peop&e $ere "nd t$ereDL @o6e 7"s p*t o55 "t 5irst3 t$en
s"id3 KUsin43 (e"$J Mentorin43 (e"$. @e"rnin4 #r"5t 5ro% so%e peop&e3&e"rnin4 se&5,
e55"#e%ent 5ro% ot$ers. Is it At$en" 7$o rises 7it$ t$e st"&&ions "nd 7$en t$e( 4et
e=$"*sted "nd t$e( 5"&& do7n3 s$e ;*st s7it#$es "nd 4ets "not$er oneD Re"$3 to 7in t$e
r"#e3 to 4et t$ro*4$ t$e 4"tes. :$"t did t$e( 4et o*t o5 %eD A &ot. T$e %en r*n
#o%p"nies. T$e %en "re %*&ti,%i&&ion"ires. T$e one %"n t$"t I &o6ed so %*#$ "nd didn9t
5ee& t$"t 7"( "'o*tL ,s$e 7"s 5in"&&( t"&8in4 "'o*t Co'"in, K$e 7"s #r*s$ed "nd3 I
'e&ie6e t$is3 $e 7"s #r*s$ed 5or $is &o6e o5 %e. T$e( 8i&&ed $i% 'e#"*se $e &o6ed %e.
T$"t?s not 7$"t t$e 7e"83 en5ee'&ed3 e%"s#*&"ted Dion(si"n $ero is s*pposed to do.
)e?s not s*pposed to &o6e %e. B*t $e did. T$"t is " tr"4ed(.L S$e tr"i&s o55. KB*t $e 7"s
so sensiti6e... I don?t 7"nt to 4et into t$is.L
F*rt$er in t$is "rti#&e @o6e s"id:
KOK3 &et %e te&& (o* so%et$in4 "'o*t %( person"& $istor( in ter%s o5 %en. T$e(
$"6e to 'e '*t#$ in t$e end...T$e( #"n 7"&8 "ro*nd in 5]]8in dresses 5or "&& I #"re. It?s "
#ontest. I don?t #"re 7$"t (o* do 5or " &i6in4. I5 (o* #"n t$ro7 %e "ro*nd " roo%3 t$en
(o*?6e %"stered %eL. (T$e F"#e3 No6 221. T$is "rti#&e ori4in"&&( p*'&is$ed in Spin?s
O#to'er 221 edition!.
)ere "re so%e o5 t$e %"n( t$in4s Co*rtne( $"s s"id "'o*t K*rt3 7$i#$ s$o7 $er
in$erent #"p"#it( 5or spite:
: Co*rtne(3 t"&8in4 to Fr"n#es Be"n "'o*t $er 5"t$erO K@oser3 #"n (o* s"( &oserDL.
(Rossi p4.222 , Rossi $e"rd t$is!. M"('e Fr"n#es 7"s too (o*n4 to *nderst"nd t$is. B*t
7$"t &ies "nd %isin5or%"tion $"s Co*rtne( 'een te&&in4 Fr"n#es "s s$e 4ets o&derD A&&
t$e &ies t$"t s$e $"s 'een desper"te&( 5eedin4 to t$e %edi"3 in $er "tte%pt to 4et $er
stor( "##epted. Fr"n#es3 K*rt &o6ed (o*. )e 7"s not " ;*n8ie &oser. )e did not #$oose to
&e"6e (o*3 $e $"d no s"( in t$e %"tter.
2: KI *sed to 'e "'&e to t"&8 to K*rt3 7$ere6er $e is. B*t no7 $e?s re"&&( 4one. I *sed to
5ee& &i8e %o*rnin4 $i% 7"s re"&&( se&5is$ 'e#"*se it 7o*&d %"8e $i% 5ee& 4*i&t(. And t$e
'est t$in4 to do 7"s to pr"( 5or $i% "nd s$o7 $i% ;o(3 so t$"t $e #o*&d 5ee& t$e
6i'r"tions o5 ;o(. B*t no7 I 8no7 $e?s dissip"ted3 "nd $e?s 4one. T$ere?s not "n(t$in4
&e5t. Not e6en to t"&8 toL. (Co*rtne( @o6e3 Ro&&in4 Stone?s De#e%'er .t$ 224 edition!.
-: D"6id Fri#8e: KIt $"s 'een " (e"r "&%ost to t$e d"(3 sin#e I inter6ie7ed K*rt. At t$e
ti%e (O#t 22-3! $e to&d %e $e 7"s $"ppier t$"n $e?d e6er 'een. And 5r"n8&(3 I 'e&ie6ed
$i%L. Co*rtne( rep&ied: K)e pro'"'&( 7"s , "t t$"t %o%ent. B*t $is 7$o&e t$in4 7"s KI?%
on&( "&i6e 'e#"*se o5 Fr"n#es "nd (o*L. @oo8 "t $is inter6ie7s in (o*r %"4"Gine "&one.
In e"#$ "nd e6er( one $e %entions '&o7in4 $is $e"d o55L. (Ro&&in4 Stone?s De#e%'er
.t$ 224 edition!. T$e on&( ti%e K*rt %"de re5eren#e to '&o7in4 $is $e"d o55 "nd
s*i#ide 7"s in t$e #onte=t o5 $is3 "t t$e ti%e3 *ndi"4nosed sto%"#$ pro'&e%3 "nd 5or no
ot$er re"son.
,Imagine the worst stomach !lu you've ever had1 every single day. And it was
worse when I ate1 %ecause once the meal would touch that red area I would
hyperventilate1 my arms would turn num%1 and I would vomit. I was suicidal on our last
tour222I really wanted to %low my head o!!. And so when we got home I decided to do
heroin every day %ecause o%viously a heavy narcotic is going to stop the pain. The
whole time I was doing drugs I didn/t have stomach pains7.
K*rt s"id: KI5 7e 7eren?t %"rried3 ;*st &i6in4 to4et$er3 t$ere 7o*&d $"6e 'een t$ree
or 5o*r ti%es 7$en one o5 *s 7o*&d $"6e 7"&8ed o*t on t$e ot$er. B*t 'e#"*se 7e "re
so #o%%itted to e"#$ ot$er3 7e?6e ne6er $"d " 5i4$t &"st &on4er t$"n "n $o*rL. (Det"i&s3
No6e%'er 22-3 t$is inter6ie7 d"tes '"#8 to F*&( 22-.!
KI sti&& see st*553 des#riptions o5 ro#8 st"rs in so%e %"4"Gines , 9Stin43 t$e
en6iron%ent"& 4*(93 QK*rt Co'"in3 t$e 7$in(3 #o%p&"inin4 ne*roti#3 pre4n"nt do4( 4*(
7$o $"tes e6er(t$in43 $"tes ro#8 st"rdo%3 $"tes $is &i5e.? And I?6e ne6er 'een $"ppier in
%( &i5e....I?% " %*#$ $"ppier 4*( t$"n " &ot o5 peop&e t$in8 I "%...... I don?t 7"nt to *se
t$is "s "n e=#*se3 "nd it?s #o%e *p so %"n( ti%es3 '*t %( sto%"#$ "i&%ent $"s 'een
one o5 %( 'i44est '"rriers t$"t stopped *s 5ro% to*rin4. I 7"s de"&in4 7it$ it 5or " &on4
ti%e. B*t "5ter " person e=perien#es #$roni# p"in 5or 5i6e (e"rs3 '( t$e ti%e t$"t 5i5t$ (e"r
ends3 (o*?re &iter"&&( ins"ne. I #o*&dn?t #ope 7it$ "n(t$in4. I 7"s "s s#$iGop$reni# "s "
7et #"t t$"t?s 'een 'e"ten....It?s ;*st t$"t %( sto%"#$ isn?t 'ot$erin4 %e "n(%ore. I?%
e"tin43 I "te " $*4e piGG" &"st ni4$t3 it 7"s so ni#e to 'e "'&e to do t$"t. And it ;*st r"ises
%( spiritsK. (Ro&&in4 Stone?s F"n*"r( 20t$ 224 edition. T$is inter6ie7 d"tes '"#8 to O#t
22-. T$is is t$e inter6ie7 in 7$i#$ K*rt %entioned di6or#e!.
KI 7"s in p"in 5or so &on4 t$"t I didn?t #"re i5 I 7"s in " '"nd. I didn?t #"re i5 I 7"s
"&i6e. And it ;*st so $"ppened t$"t I #"%e to t$"t #on#&*sion "t " ti%e 7$en %( '"nd
'e#"%e re"&&( pop*&"r. I %e"n3 it $"d 'een 4oin4 on "nd '*i&din4 *p 5or so %"n( (e"rs
t$"t I 7"s s*i#id"&. I %e"n3 I ;*st didn?t 7"nt to &i6e. I ;*st t$o*4$t3 i5 I?% 4onn" die3 I?%
4onn" 8i&& %(se&53 I s$o*&d t"8e so%e dr*4s3 (? 8no7 (&"*4$s!. I %"( "s 7e&& 'e#o%e "
;*n8ie 'e#"*se I 5e&t &i8e " ;*n8ie e6er( d"(. R? 8no73 7"8in4 *p st"r6in43 5or#in4 %(se&5
to e"t3 '"r5in4 it '"#8 *p...;*st i%"4ine tr(in4 to e"t (o*r t$ree %e"&s " d"(3 "nd ;*st
#on#entr"tin43 ;*st #r(in4 "t ti%es. @i8e3 """$43 I?% in p"in "&& t$e ti%e. And 'ein4 on to*r
it 7"s " &ot 7orse too. It %"de it 7orseL. (Tr"ns#ript 5ro% "n inter6ie7 7it$ K*rt in
De#e%'er 22-3 s$o7n on MTI?s so #"&&ed KTri'*teL to K*rt "5ter $e died!.
At " p"rt( t$"t ni4$t (F"n*"r( 1t$3 224!3 Co'"in spo8e "'o*t de"t$. Not $is o7n3
'*t t$ose o5 5o*r ;*st ,dep"rted ro&e %ode&s: Fr"n8 \"pp"3 Ri6er +$oeni=3 Fred >7(nne
()er%"n M*nster! "nd t$e r"di#"&3 se6enties 4o6ernor o5 :"s$in4ton3 Di=ie @ee R"(.
QT$ere 7"s not$in4 %or'id "'o*t it?3 s"(s Mi8e Co&&ier. QK*rt 7"s r*e5*& t$e(9d 4one3 not
"i%in4 to ;oin t$e%.? (2.3 p4.-00!.
4: K:$"t 8ind o5 %ood 7"s $e in on t$e E*rope"n to*r 'e5ore $e o6erdosed in Ro%eD
:"s t$"t " 4en*ine s*i#ide "tte%ptDL. Co*rtne( rep&ied: K)e $"ted e6er(t$in43
e6er('od(. )"ted3 $"ted3 $"ted. )e #"&&ed %e 5ro% Sp"in #r(in4. T$"t?s 7$( $e 7o*&d
te&& peop&e3 KNo3 I?% not on itL. Be#"*se $e did not 7"nt to 'e#o%e " ;*n8ie i#on. And
no7 $e is......LAnd: KK*rt $"d 4one "&& o*t 5or %e 7$en I 4ot t$ere ^Ro%e_. )e?d 4otten
%e roses. )e?d 4otten %e " pie#e o5 t$e Co&osse*%.......I $"d so%e #$"%p"4ne3 too8 "
6"&i*%3 7e %"de o*t3 I 5e&& "s&eep. T$e re;e#tion $e %*st $"6e 5e&t "5ter "&& t$"t
"nti#ip"tion...I t*rned o6er "'o*t - or 4 in t$e %ornin4 to %"8e &o6e3 "nd $e 7"s 4one.
)e 7"s "t t$e end o5 t$e 'ed 7it$ " t$o*s"nd do&&"rs in $is po#8et "nd " note s"(in43
KRo* don?t &o6e %e "n(%ore. I?d r"t$er die t$"n 4o t$ro*4$ " di6or#eL....I #"n see $o7 it
$"ppened. )e too8 .0 5*#8in4 pi&&s. )e pro'"'&( 5or4ot $o7 %"n( $e too8. B*t t$ere 7"s
" de5inite s*i#id"& *r4e to 'e 4o''&in4 "nd 4o''&in4...L (Ro&&in4 Stone?s De#e%'er .t$
224 edition.!
Dr >"&&ett" denied t$"t so %"n( pi&&s 7$ere in4ested3 $e s"id it didn?t &oo8 &i8e "
s*i#ide "tte%pt. )e "&so s"id t$"t K*rt p&"(ed 7it$ Fr"n#es "nd t$"t $e didn?t see% &i8e
" %"n 7$o $"d tried to end it "&&. S$e #&"i%s K*rt $"ted e6er(one "nd e6er(t$in4 7$i&e
in E*rope on $is to*r. )ere "re " 5e7 5"#ts "'o*t K*rt on t$is to*r:
On 2st Fe' 2243 "t t$e #on#ert "t Moden"3 It"&(. Bet7een sin4in4 QSer6e T$e
Ser6"nts? "nd QCo%e As Ro* Are?3 No6ose&i# #o%%ented on t$e K#$e"p se"tsL in t$e
$"&&3 K*rt &oo8ed to7"rds t$ese "nd &"*4$ed3 t$en $e s"id3 KI?% sorr(3 I?&& p&"( t$is 5or (o*
person"&&(L3 "nd s"n4 %ost o5 QCo%e As Ro* Are? 5"#in4 to7"rds t$e%. D*rin4 t$is son4
$e str*#8 so%e "r"'esP*e t(pe pose.
Bet7een QBreed? "nd QSer6e T$e Ser6"nts?3 No6ose&i# p*t on " $"t so%eone
t$re7 on st"4e "nd K*rt s$o*ted K)e"d &i#e3 $e"d &i#eJL
F*st 'e5ore $e s"n4 Fes*s don?t 7"nt %e 5or " s*n'e"% K*rt 7"s te&&in4 t$e
"*dien#e so%et$in4 "'o*t 7$"t $"ppened on t$e "irp&"ne3 t$en $e s"id:
KIsn?t t$"t 4re"tJ I 7i&& te&& %( 4r"nd#$i&dren t$"t stor(L. T$e tone o5 $is 6oi#e is
*p'e"t.
At t$e #on#ert on Fe' 22 K*rt to&d t$e "*dien#e t$"t t$e( 7ere 4re"t3 'e"*ti5*&.
)e 7"s &oo8in4 *n7e&&3 $e 7"s #onst"nt&( sippin4 E6i"n 7"ter. )o7 di55i#*&t 7o*&d it 'e
to %i= Ro$(pno& 7it$ 'ott&ed 7"ter Co*rtne(D Ro$(pno& 7i&& not disso&6e in sti&& 7"ter3 it
7i&& disso&6e in 5iGG( drin8.
)ere?s t$e s#ore 7it$ t$e #on#ert "t t$e +"&"tr*ss"rdi Mi&"n on Fe' 24t$ 224:
K*rt didn?t t"&8 %*#$ 'et7een son4s3 '*t "t one st"4e No6ose&i# s"id3 KI?% Bi&&(
+*%p8inL K*rt rep&ied: KNo (o*?re not3 (o*?re Me"t @o"5JK No73 i5 K*rt 7"s in s*#$ "
depressed st"te "s Rossi 7o*&d $"6e *s 'e&ie6e3 d*e to t$e 5"#t $e 8ne7 Co*rtne( 7"s
$"6in4 "n "55"ir 7it$ Cor4"n3 $o7 &i8e&( 7o*&d it 'e t$"t No6ose&i# 7o*&d $"6e s"id t$isD
K*rt 7"s ;o8in4 "'o*t Bi&&( Cor4"n on Fe' 24t$ 2243 $e 7"sn?t depressed o6er $i%J It
so*nded to %e &i8e $e #o*&d $"6e 'een re&ie6ed Co*rtne( "nd Cor4"n 7ere $"6in4 "n
"55"ir3 it 4ot Co*rtne( o55 $is '"#83 so to spe"8.
At "not$er point in t$is #on#ert3 K*rt 7"s i%pro6isin4 on $is 4*it"r3 "nd 7$en $e
5inis$ed3 $e s"id: KRo* s$o*&d 6ote %e in (o*r re"ders po&&s "s %*si#i"n o5 t$e (e"rL.
At t$e end o5 t$e #on#ert3 $e 7"6ed "nd s"id 4ood ni4$t. T$is #on#ert 7"s 'etter t$"n
t$e one $e did on Fe' 2st3 it 7"s %ore &i6e&( on K*rt?s p"rt. As 7it$ t$e pre6io*s
#on#ert3 K*rt is #onst"nt&( sippin4 'ott&ed 7"ter.
+eter C&e"r(3 one o5 K*rt?s 5riends3 s"id (o* 7o*&d #"&& K*rt " ,,,,, ,,,,,, "&& t$e
ti%e. C&e"r( s"id: KOne d"( $e 7"s t"&8in4 to %e "nd "not$er 5riend "nd s$e t$o*4$t s$e
7"s 'ein4 i4nored3 so s$e st"rted #"&&in4 $i% " ,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,, ri4$t in 5ront o5 Fr"n#es
Be"nL. (-3 p4.14! T$is is in &ine 7it$ 7$"t Rossi 7itnessed 7$en on t$e p$one to
Co*rtne(3 "nd Co*rtne( 7"s te&&in4 Fr"n#es t$"t $er 5"t$er 7"s " K&oser<. K*rt?s ri4$t to
&i5e3 5"t$er$ood "nd $"ppiness 7"s t"8en "7"( "t " ti%e 7$en $e 7"s 5in"&&( %"n"4in4
to "#$ie6e t$ese t$in4s.
Krist No6ose&i# "nd D"6e >ro$& $"6e 8ept t$eir %o*t$s s$*t. No6ose&i# re%"ined
P*iet 5or (e"rs. T$ere?s on&( one te&&in4 re5eren#e o5 $is3 re4"rdin4 K*rt "nd Apri& 224:
KS%"#8 7"s ;*st " s%"&& p"rt o5 $is &i5e. I don?t *nderst"nd 7$"t $"ppened3 I $"6en?t
7or8ed it o*t.L (Se"tt&e +ost Inte&&i4en#er Apri& 4 224!. B*t in C$"r&es R Cross? 'oo8
()e"6ier T$"n )e"6en3 p"4es -20 E -2.!3 No6ose&i# $"s #$"n4ed $is stor(3 $e?s s"(in4
st*55 &i8e: KK*rt 7"s *sin4 " &ot o5 dr*4s "nd I 8ne7 $e 7"s 4oin4 to 8i&& $i%se&53 8ne7 I?d
ne6er see $i% "&i6e "4"in.L T$"t doesn?t t"&&( 7it$ 7$"t $e 7"s s"(in4 '"#8 in Apri&
224. )e?s #$"n4ed $is stor(. In "n "rti#&e 5ro% Spin %"4"Gine '( Fi% DeRo4"tis (F*ne
2002! Krist No6ose&i# s"id KI?% re"d( to do de"&s 7it$ Co*rtne(3 I?% e"s(3L so No6ose&i#
isn?t 4oin4 to #o%e o*t "nd spe"8 "'o*t t$is #"se3 $e 7"nts to %"8e t$e de"&3 $e 7"nts
t$e %one( "nd t$"t?s spe&t o*t in t$"t Spin %"4"Gine. B*t $o7 #"n K*rt?s %ot$er i4nore
t$e initi"& #on#erns o5 " pri6"te in6esti4"tor "nd K*rt?s o7n &"7(er $"d o6er $er son?s
de"t$D S$e didn9t 'ot$er to enP*ire "'o*t K*rt?s $"ppiness "nd s"5et( d*rin4 t$e 1
%ont$s $e 7"s st"(ed 7it$ 5riends 7$en $e 7"s " 8id. One $"s to "ss*%e t$is
disinterest is t$e s"%e.
To% &"ter s"id in "n inter6ie73 <T$ere9s no do*'t in %( %ind t$"t K*rt 7"s
$"n4in4 o*t *p t$ere in t$e 4reen$o*se 7it$ " s$ot4*n. T$"t 7"s &i8e " &itt&e &oo8o*t
to7er 5or $i% o6er $is 7$o&e propert(3 "nd I do 5ir%&( 'e&ie6e t$"t $e 7"s in 5e"r o5 $is
&i5e. )e 7"s 4oin4 to 'e 5&(in4 o*t o5 Se"tt&e3 pro'"'&( 7it$in $o*rs3 #ert"in&( 7it$in t$e
ne=t d"( or t7o.< (! So K*rt 7"s *p in t$e 4reen$o*se3 "nd 7$oe6er #"%e in t$ere
7it$ $i% 7"s pro'"'&( " #&ose "#P*"int"n#e3 &i8e Mi#$"e& <C"&i< De:itt. K*rt %"( $"6e
'een dr*44ed "4"in 7it$ Ro$(pno&3 possi'&( in t$e Root Beer #"n 5o*nd "t t$e s#ene.
A5ter $e 7"s in#"p"#it"ted3 t$e %*rderer pro'"'&( in;e#ted K*rt 7it$ t$e %"ssi6e dose o5
$eroin3 *sin4 t$e s$ot4*n to %"8e s*re K*rt 7o*&d ne6er re#o6er &i8e $e $"d in Ro%e.
T$is #"se %"( e6ent*"&&( 'e re,opened3 '*t it needs to 'e $"nd&ed '( *n'i"sed
in6esti4"tors3 pro'"'&( 5ro% "not$er 4o6ern%ent"& "4en#(3 7$o "ren?t ;*st o*t to s"6e
5"#e "nd #o6er t$eir tr"#8s. T$ese in6esti4"tors 7i&& need so%et$in4 to 7or8 7it$3 so%e
Ktoo&sL 5or pro'in43 inter6ie7in43 "nd interro4"tin4. In6esti4"ti6e too&s #onsist pri%"ri&( o5
*ndis#&osed in5or%"tion 8no7n on&( to t$e in6esti4"tor #ond*#tin4 t$e inter6ie7.
Kno7&ed4e o5 4ener"&&( *n8no7n in5or%"tion $e&ps t$e in6esti4"tor dis#ern 7$et$er or
not t$e s*';e#t 'ein4 inter6ie7ed is te&&in4 t$e tr*t$. E6er( pie#e o5 in5or%"tion re&e"sed
'e#o%es one &ess too& 5or 5*t*re in6esti4"tors. It "&so 'e#o%es one %ore det"i& 4i6en
o6er 5or *se '( t$ose "tte%ptin4 to #o6er,*p t$e tr*t$. I 'e&ie6e t$is do#*%ent #ont"ins "
s*55i#ient "%o*nt o5 e6iden#e "nd in5or%"tion to pro6e t$e #"se needs to 'e re,
e="%ined '( "*t$orities. (3 p4.2.!