On April 8th, 1994, Kurt Cobain’s body was discovered at his home in Seattle
Washington (kurtcobainsuicidenote.com). The cause of death was a self-inflicted
shotgun wound to the head (Grant, Tom). Many people refuse to believe Kurt took
his own life. One of the most widely accepted theories behind Kurt’s death is
that Kurt was actually murdered by his wife at the time, Courtney Love (Conaboy, Kelly).
Character Analysis
Kurt Donald Cobain was born on February 20th, 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington
(biography.com.editors). In 1988, Kurt founded alternative rock band Nirvana with high school
friend Krist Noveselic. Nirvana rose to fame during the mid-nineties, releasing three
full length studio albums. Nirvana’s rapid rise to fame took its toll on Kurt. Drug abuse and
other unresolved internal conflicts became apparent toward the end of Kurt’s career.
other unresolved internal conflicts became apparent toward the end of Kurt’s career.
“Kurt was a very kind and caring person,” according to ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl.
“Living with Kurt was funny. He isolated himself in a lot of ways, but he had a genuine
sweet nature,” says Grohl (Erickson). Ex-Nirvana bassist Krist Noveselic remembers Kurt in a
eulogy given at Kurt’s funeral, “We remember Kurt for what he was: Caring, generous,
and sweet (Reilly).” Growing up Kurt was always finding ways to creatively express
himself through different outlets. After Kurt’s parents divorced, music became an escape from
an unhappy life at home and bullying at school (Rohnson). The divorce really had a
negative impact on him growing up. “I had a great childhood up until I was nine, it was around
that age that my parents split up,” says Kurt (Willman). Kurt also began to experiment with drugs
during his teenage years to help cope with depression (Strauss). Kurt’s drug use didn’t become serious until later on in his life when Nirvana began to gain success. Being an introvert, Kurt naturally shied away from the limelight and felt uncomfortable with all the attention he was getting from the public. As time went on, he became more and more withdrawn. According to Kurt’s wife at the time,
Courtney Love, “He wanted to stay at home and do heroin and paint (Raftery).”
himself through different outlets. After Kurt’s parents divorced, music became an escape from
an unhappy life at home and bullying at school (Rohnson). The divorce really had a
negative impact on him growing up. “I had a great childhood up until I was nine, it was around
that age that my parents split up,” says Kurt (Willman). Kurt also began to experiment with drugs
during his teenage years to help cope with depression (Strauss). Kurt’s drug use didn’t become serious until later on in his life when Nirvana began to gain success. Being an introvert, Kurt naturally shied away from the limelight and felt uncomfortable with all the attention he was getting from the public. As time went on, he became more and more withdrawn. According to Kurt’s wife at the time,
Courtney Love, “He wanted to stay at home and do heroin and paint (Raftery).”
While Kurt never stated that he might be suicidal, some of his behavior at the time
reflected that of someone who would be likely to take their own life. A report on
suicidal thoughts and behaviors indicated that a suicidal person is likely to, “Seek access to
pills or weapons, act recklessly, increase alcohol or drug use, and or withdraw from friends and
society (Rudd). On March 4, 1994, Kurt was rushed to the emergency room after an alleged
overdose while visiting family in Rome (Conjure). A few weeks later, Kurt and his friend Dylan
pills or weapons, act recklessly, increase alcohol or drug use, and or withdraw from friends and
society (Rudd). On March 4, 1994, Kurt was rushed to the emergency room after an alleged
overdose while visiting family in Rome (Conjure). A few weeks later, Kurt and his friend Dylan
Carlson went to purchase a shotgun. Kurt claimed that he was afraid of intruders
breaking into his home (Grant).
Kurt’s death came as a shock to most of the people who knew him personally. Most of
the people closest to Kurt would argue that he never really showed any signs
indicating that he was suicidal. Kurt’s best friend, Dylan Carlson said, “Kurt was facing lots of
pretty heavy things, but he was actually pretty upbeat. He was prepared to deal with the things facing
him (Barnett).” Iris Cobain (Kurt’s mother) remembers the last time she talked to her son over the
phone saying, “When he talked to me he seemed so happy (Barnett).” Many people believe there is
more to Kurt’s death than meets the eye. While he did struggle with drug addiction and
depression, Kurt was full of love and wanted to be there for his daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. For
him to just end his life so soon is very hard to accept.
pretty heavy things, but he was actually pretty upbeat. He was prepared to deal with the things facing
him (Barnett).” Iris Cobain (Kurt’s mother) remembers the last time she talked to her son over the
phone saying, “When he talked to me he seemed so happy (Barnett).” Many people believe there is
more to Kurt’s death than meets the eye. While he did struggle with drug addiction and
depression, Kurt was full of love and wanted to be there for his daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. For
him to just end his life so soon is very hard to accept.
Description
There are only two credible conspiracy theories behind Kurt’s death. The first theory is
that Kurt really did take his own life. Suicide was a reoccurring topic in Nirvana’s
lyrics and in Kurt’s own life. Kurt once shocked his bandmates by showing up to a show wearing a
custom made T-shirt with the phrase, “I hate myself and want to die.” The phrase was taken
from the original title of their album, In Utero (Ratherson). Two of Kurt’s uncles had also
passed away from self-inflicted gunshot wounds (General).
custom made T-shirt with the phrase, “I hate myself and want to die.” The phrase was taken
from the original title of their album, In Utero (Ratherson). Two of Kurt’s uncles had also
passed away from self-inflicted gunshot wounds (General).
The second theory suggests that Kurt was actually murdered by his wife at the time,
Courtney Love. It was found that Kurt had been injected three times the lethal dose of
heroin when his body was discovered on April 8, 1994 (JusticeForKurt). It’s unlikely that
Kurt would have been able to pull the need out of his arm, neatly put away his drug
paraphernalia, pick up a shotgun and pull the trigger in the state that he was in. Many people will argue that Kurt was still capable of pulling the trigger due to the fact that he was a longtime heroin user and had probably built up a tolerance to its effects. While this could be true, it’s important to note that two years after Kurt’s death, Sgt. Cameron reported that there were no markings on Kurt’s hands indicating that he had fired the weapon (JusticeForKurt). “Yeah there weren’t any marks on his
hands… Some rookie must’ve put that line in the police report,” says Cameron (Wallace).
Kurt would have been able to pull the need out of his arm, neatly put away his drug
paraphernalia, pick up a shotgun and pull the trigger in the state that he was in. Many people will argue that Kurt was still capable of pulling the trigger due to the fact that he was a longtime heroin user and had probably built up a tolerance to its effects. While this could be true, it’s important to note that two years after Kurt’s death, Sgt. Cameron reported that there were no markings on Kurt’s hands indicating that he had fired the weapon (JusticeForKurt). “Yeah there weren’t any marks on his
hands… Some rookie must’ve put that line in the police report,” says Cameron (Wallace).
It’s probable that Courtney Love had something to do with Kurt’s death. Prior to his
passing, Kurt had expressed interest in leaving the music industry, Seattle, and
divorcing Courtney. Kurt and Courtney had a prenup meaning that if the divorce
was finalized, Courtney would have walked away with little-to-nothing of Kurt's
wealth (Demonical). Realizing this, Courtney probably believed that Kurt would
have been better off to her dead than alive. Even Courtney’s own father (Hank
Harrison) believes she had something to with Kurt’s death. “No doubt she was
capable, I can’t prove that she pulled the trigger, but I can prove her
involvement to a high degree of certainty,” says Harrison (NYE). Courtney Love
was the only person close to Kurt with a motive to murder him. His passing
helped her gain the notoriety she needed to launch her singing and acting
career. Love even went on tour with her band just a few weeks after Kurt’s
death. Does that seem like something a genuinely grieving widow would do?
(Boddahfacts). To this day, Kurt’s death is still ruled as a suicide. Hopefully
one day someone will be inspired to reopen the case and take a closer look at
the evidence against Courtney Love.
Kurt’s passing earned him a place in the 27 Club along with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and other famed musicians who passed away at that same age. To this day, the
troubled musician’s death is surrounded by mystery. Since then two theories have
surfaced that try to explain what might have happened to Kurt on the day he
died.
1. Did Kurt give into his depression and commit suicide?
2. Was Kurt murdered by his wife, Courtney Love for monetary gain?
Even though there is a considerable amount of evidence against Courtney, Kurt’s
death has since been ruled as a suicide.
Works Cited Sources
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Reilly. "How Kurt Cobain's Friends, Family & Fellow Musicians Reacted to His Death: 20 Quotes." Billboard. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Rohnson. "Kurt Cobain Biography." Kurt Cobain Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Strauss. "Kurt Cobain's Downward Spiral: The Last Days of Nirvana's Leader." Rolling Stone. N.p., 02 June 1994. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
"The of and to a in - Microsoft Research_馆档网." The of and to a in - Microsoft Research_馆档网. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Conjure. "The Demoniacal." : Kurt Cobain Death Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Grant,. "Summary of Events - The Kurt Cobain Murder Investigation by Tom Grant." Summary of Events - The Kurt Cobain Murder Investigation by Tom Grant. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Joiner, Thomas. "The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior: Current Empirical Status." Apa.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
Willman. "Kurt Cobain as a KId." Yahoo Music. N.p., n.d. Web.
Raftery. "10 Crazy Revelations About Kurt and Courtney." N.p., n.d. Web.
Barnett. "Justice For Kurt Cobain - Investigation - Kurt Was Not Suicidal." Justice For Kurt Cobain - Investigation - Kurt Was Not Suicidal. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2015.
Ratherson. "Mike Ratherson, Author at AlternativeNation.net." <i>AlternativeNationnet</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
"Justice For Kurt Cobain - Reasons Why This Case Should Be Reopened." <i>Justice for Kurt Cobain - Reasons Why This Case Should Be Reopened</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
Demonical. "17 Reason to Suspect Kurt Cobain Didn't Kill Himself." N.p., n.d. Web.
"Courtney Love's Father Claims He Can Prove She Was Repsonsible." <i>Daily Mail</i>. N.p., n.d. Web.
"PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE Http://members.tripod.com/~react2/kurt.htm." <i>Proof Courtney Killed Kurt</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
"Kurt Cobain: Not A Suicide?" <i>CBSNews</i>. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.
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