NEW YORK – Police in New York City say a couple who hosted a radio show called “The Pursuit of Happiness” have killed themselves side by side.
Autopsies found that John Littig, 47, and Lynne Rosen, 45, died from asphyxiation after inhaling helium, a spokeswoman for medical examiner’s office said Thursday.
The bodies were discovered Wednesday in the couple’s home, with so-called “exit bags” over their heads. The suicide method – using plastic bags with draw strings and a hose attached to helium canister – is becoming more common because of it provides “a fast, peaceful, undetectable death” compared with suffocation by carbon dioxide, according to a recent fire department memo prepared for paramedics. The method, however, is not foolproof.
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In separate notes, Lettig indicated that they were determined to die together, while Rosen apologized to her family, police said.
There was no immediate response to a message left Thursday at the radio station, WBAI.
“RIP Lynne Rosen + John Littig. Partners on the air and in life,” the station wrote in a tweet.
The victims were partners in self-help venture called “Why Not Now,” according to their website. The site describes Littig as a motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and personal life coach, and Rosen as a life coach, speaker and consultant.
Rosen also was the host of “The Pursuit of Happiness,” a monthly show on WBAI. She was often joined by Littig.
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