Raymond Ronald Karczewski was admitted as an inpatient at Salem State
Hospital on Thursday, May 22, 2008 following a suicide attempt.
Karczewski apparently attempted to overdose by ingesting sleeping
pills but called 911 in a panic after beginning to feel the effect of
the medication. He was placed in Salem State Hospital under suicide
watch for 72 hours, transferred to an observation ward for a 72 hours,
then released to return to his home.
It is unconfirmed, however, it is suspected that Karczewski's suicide
attempt was due to the progression of depression which manifested
itself when his former wife, Anita Graves Karczewski passed away due
to respiratory failure. She suffered from Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for many years which was compounded by
smoking and alcohol use.
Raymond apparently blamed himself for contributing to her death, he
operated a woodstove in their rural rental for many years which
directly impacted her COPD.
Many people, including myself, have enjoyed laughing at Raymond over
the years but due to this recent episode it is my belief that the time
has come to give the man a pass. The man is obviously in a much more
fragile state than was readily apparent from his contributions.
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