‘Generation Kill’ Author Dies by Suicide at 59

The renowned journalist and author, Evan Wright, best known for the book Generation Kill, has passed away at the age of 59.

His wife confirmed the news to Rolling Stone on Monday, 15 July. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the cause of death was suicide.

Evan Wright was celebrated for his insightful work on various subcultures. His 2004 book, Generation Kill, which delves into his experiences as an embedded reporter with the US Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, gained considerable acclaim. The book was successfully adapted into an HBO series and shed light on the chaotic nature of US military actions during the “War on Terror,” which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians, according to conservative estimates.

Born in Ohio in 1964 to lawyer parents, Wright’s early life was turbulent. At the age of 13, he was sent to the Seed Clinic, a home for juvenile delinquents. This followed a traumatic incident where his mother suffered a breakdown after her best friend and her husband were murdered by their son.

Wright chronicled his time at the Seed in the HBO Max documentary Teen Torture, Inc, released earlier this year. The institution’s disciplinary techniques were often likened to those employed in North Korea during the Korean War. The Seed Clinic was eventually shut down in 2001 following a Senate report that exposed its use of sleep deprivation, threats of physical violence, public humiliation, and constant surveillance to control children.

He also supported Paris Hilton’s testimony at the US House of Representatives Committee on her experience at similar youth facilities. “Whenever I see victims of these programs speak out, I always think, ‘That’s my brother or sister,’” Wright shared on X the day before his death. He added, “I feel a bond with anyone who went through this. Then I saw Paris Hilton’s testimony and I realized, ‘Oh, shit, she’s my sister, too?’ But yes, it’s a big, messed up family of us.”

Throughout his journalism career, Wright penned articles for notable publications like Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and Time, focusing extensively on subcultures. Early in his career, he was also the chief pornographic reviewer for Hustler magazine.

A short time before his death, Wright posted an outline of a book based on his experiences at the Seed. “Here’s a fun fact for anyone who sees Teen Torture, Inc this week on Max,” he wrote in a post dated 10 July. “The main story I tell is excerpted from a book that I started writing on 17 January 1982. I wrote my outline in my sketchbook because up until this night I’d planned to be a cartoonist or photographer. I decided to become a professional writer on this night to tell my story & I’ve been working on this book ever since. It’s been a monster job.”

If you are experiencing distress or find it difficult to cope, you can speak confidentially to the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find your nearest branch.

If you’re in the USA and need immediate mental health assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This crisis hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

For those in other countries, you can visit www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Source: Rolling Stone