The most chilling thing i
- Posted by Kati on January 23rd, 2003 filed in Lifeblog in english
The most chilling thing i read online since 9/11 blog reports:
“Brandon Carl Vedas, 21, takes a mix of drugs (methadone, klonopin, etc) while in front of his webcam and chatting on IRC. He overdoses, and dies with the webcam still on.” (from Overdose on IRC? @ metafilter. And - sadly - it’s apparently not a hoax.) It reminds me of instances when i had to get my friends out of trouble, talk them out of drugs, alcohol and get them medical help. I cannot possibly understand how things can go *this* bad without anyone noticing (friends, family), and feel sorry for the parents of this guy. But also, i can’t help but think of their tragic role in their child’s death… i mean, there must have been signs… 360mp methadone??? I don’t know. It’s hard to read, and hard to digest.
February 14th, 2003 at 11:49 am
*** Because i still get a lot of google hits for this entry, and because i would like to preserve the comments that were left on this entry before i moved my website, i repost the comment that were made on the previous server that were lost when i imported this to a new server. Kati ***
February 14th, 2003 at 11:50 am
** Originally posted: Feb 01 2003, 01:04 am **
I am Brandon’s father and can assure you that he was not what you assume. All of the drugs that he took were prescribed by a Dr. Except the pot and methadone. He was not trying to kill himself, he was showing off, that he was hardcore(I wish I knew the definition of that). It is a true loss of a very intelligent and gifted young man. Brandon chose not to live with me for the past three years, because we do have some type of rules that we live by.He choose to live with his Mom because he could tell her what to do. A part of me died with my son, he was my youngest child. We are so sad that people can make the assumption the he was an addict. He worked as an IS technician at Phoenix college and was happy with his job. He thought that he was safe doing recreational drugs. I feel that he was egged on by those present in the chat room. I thank those that tried to help. To those that helped KILL him, you will have to live with this forever. I loved him as only a parent can. I will never get to see his great smile, or have him call and say “hey Dad how’s it going?” Rest in peace Ripper, Debi and I miss you so very much. Our family hopes that some good can come from this, if we can help save only one person. As a first generation computer child Brandon lived for his computers.Take care and God bless. Richard Vedas sr.
February 14th, 2003 at 11:51 am
** Originally posted:Feb 04 2003, 12:35 am **
I was a friend of Brandons for 6 years. He had his ups and downs but I never remember him coming anywhere close to giving up. He just wasn’t like that. He was, however, very reckless and overconfident. I always loved this about him. He was brave when I wasn’t. He was not some sad kid sitting in his moms basement trying to end it all. As his dad stated, he was working for a university and had one of his computer certs and was working on another. It’s an absolute tragedy. I miss him everyday and it hurts to see people misinterpret his actions.
February 14th, 2003 at 11:52 am
** Originally posted:Feb 04 2003, 02:00 am **
I just want to say that i did not judge Brandon, i couldn’t possibly do that since i never knew him and never knew anything about him other than the IRC log i read on metafilter. This *is* an absolute tragedy and i was just saying that it is very chilling and horrible, and i hope that if something good ever comes out of it is that people will realize that things can go terribly wrong in one second, and you have to pay attention to people around you. This is why i mentioned my experience of helping my own friends with close brushes with drugs and alcohol.
My thoughts go out to those who knew Brandon.
February 14th, 2003 at 11:53 am
** Originally posted: Feb 05 2003, 06:58 am **
I just heard about this today. I never knew Brandon, but what a tragedy this is. My condolences.
February 14th, 2003 at 11:55 am
** Originally posted: Feb 05 2003, 11:58 am **
I didnt know Brandon, but my younger sister did. I would like to say I am so terribly sorry to his family. What they went through is the most horrifying thing imagineable. Sis was watching that night, and tried to help. Its horrible to know that she will have to live the rest of her life knowing she watched a friend die and could do nothing. To all the parents that read this, what are your children doing online? Are they laughing while someone takes a lethal overdose? Think about it. I pray that no one else has to go through what Brandons family and everyone who knew him, or was there that night is going through now, and will go through for the rest of their lives.
February 21st, 2004 at 4:18 am
I feel very bad for Brandon’s family and friends but to say that he was showing off trying to be hardcore is crazy…Someone is living in denial…or was he really that stupid of a person…I know I sound harsh and this is a very sensitive subject but too many people have put too much time into this kids rememberance…We need to put this much time and effort into remembering those lost in war and innocent victims of crime and stuff like that..not drug using idiots..