[Holiday]

Rumors are beginning to spread as the cause of death remains unrevealed. Aspects of her private life are at risk of being fed for gossip. I am curious myself as to her illness, but I don't like people speaking ill of the dead.

[cpbell0033944]

Rumors are beginning to spread as the cause of death remains unrevealed. Aspects of her private life are at risk of being fed for gossip. I am curious myself as to her illness, but I don't like people speaking ill of the dead.

They may feel that it's none of anyone else's business; and they're right.  Problem is, as you say, the absence of any news fuels speculation.  I've come-across a lttle of it on the internet myself – people assume it was a heart attack brought-on by steroids, even though it seems that she only used steroids up to the point when she and John met, and possibly only once, in order to win the USAs.  Certainly, John confirms that her 3rd-place finish in the Ms. O was achieved naturally; difficult enough then, but unthinkable now. :'(

[Holiday]

Yeah, well the details were revealed. She suffered from bipolar disorder for the past few years. It's sad but it happens. My continued condolensces to her loved ones.  🙁

[cpbell0033944]

Yeah, well the details were revealed. She suffered from bipolar disorder for the past few years. It's sad but it happens. My continued condolensces to her loved ones.  🙁

Oh my goodness – how awful! :'(  I thought that bipolarity was better-managed nowadays.

[joesph]

Guys im newish here,i used to love her,by the way wiki is saying it was suicide because of her illness,but anyway it does not matter,she was a great woman,a wonderful bodybuilder and by all accounts a credit to the human race,she will be missed by fans and her family,RIP shelley.

[Lingster]

Crap, I was hoping this wouldn't come out – I've been deleting the suicide posts over at AmericanGladiatorGirls.com for weeks.  But if it's on Wikipedia, I suppose it's in the open.

[cpbell0033944]

Crap, I was hoping this wouldn't come out – I've been deleting the suicide posts over at AmericanGladiatorGirls.com for weeks.  But if it's on Wikipedia, I suppose it's in the open.

That's why I kept my comment deliberately ambiguous.
Having said that, though, are we not now enlightened enough to have removed most of the old taboos revolving around the tragic events of someone taking their own life?  Haven't we moved-on from the times when burial on consecrated ground was barred to suicide victims?

[AlexG]

Did we really need to know that, I think not.  I'd simply prefer to remember Shelley at her very best, as a majestic being so full of life and an inspiration to so many, many of whom she never even knew.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[dravenspirit]

Im sorry, but I see no need to 'cover this up.' The details surrounding her death are unavoidable because she was a celebrity. I also see nothing shameful in suicide. Its a pity that she suffered so much, and she will be dearly missed by our community.

[cpbell0033944]

I agree with Alex to the extent that we should think of her living life to the full and being an inspiration and heroine before we muse on the manner of her passing, but I also really do feel that trying to maintain the silence about bipolarity and mental health problems is not a good idea.  I speak as someone with a prior history of panic attacks etc.

[Author]

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