RIP thread of 2023

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**sing your life**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Andy Rourke of The Smiths has passed away aged 59.

He was so great on the Queen is Dead.

**Ensis Ferrae**

Bob Hansen, one of the worst traitors/spies against the US died in prison yesterday.

**Tsagualsa**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Bob Hansen, one of the worst traitors/spies against the US died in prison yesterday.

That is Robert Hanssen, traitor and KGB double-agent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hanssen

Just saying, because there is also a Robert Hansen, serial murderer, which died a couple of years ago.

**ZergSmasher**

If he was a traitor, I'd love to know why they didn't hang him years ago instead of making the taxpayers pay for him to live in prison all these years.

**Ensis Ferrae**

ZergSmasher wrote:
If he was a traitor, I'd love to know why they didn't hang him years ago instead of making the taxpayers pay for him to live in prison all these years.

In short: a plea bargain.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Was he prosecuted in a state with the death penalty? If so, did the charges, at the time, carry the possibility of a death penalty?

Remember folks, the law is an ass. Sentencing guidelines can be wildly out of whack with public perception of a crime.

**Tsagualsa**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Was he prosecuted in a state with the death penalty? If so, did the charges, at the time, carry the possibility of a death penalty?

Remember folks, the law is an ass. Sentencing guidelines can be wildly out of whack with public perception of a crime.

Treason is one of the few crimes that can get you a federal death penalty in the US; Hanssen avoided that by making a bargain and cooperating with authorities:

Represented by Washington, D.C., lawyer Plato Cacheris, Hanssen negotiated a plea bargain that enabled him to avoid the death penalty in exchange for cooperating with authorities.[7] On July 6, 2001, he pleaded guilty to 13 counts of espionage, one count of attempted espionage, and one of conspiracy to commit espionage in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.[7][8] On May 10, 2002, Hanssen was sentenced to 15 consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole. "I apologize for my behavior. I am shamed by it," Hanssen told U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton. "I have opened the door for calumny against my totally innocent wife and children. I have hurt so many deeply."[58]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hanssen#Guilty_plea_and_imprisonment

**Nevelon**

Astrud Gilburto, singer of The Girl from Ipanema has passed at 83

You know the tune from pretty much every elevator scene in Hollywood.

**nels1031**

The Iron Shiek, of WWF/WWE fame has passed away at 81.

Had hand-me-down action figures of him when I was a kid.

Recently, I remember him having a pretty funny twitter account.

Tributes are pouring in for WWE legend 'The Iron Sheik' after his death at the age of 81.

The wrestler, real name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, was born in Iran but became a global superstar in the 1980s, winning the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983.

Previously he competed on Iran's Greco-Roman wrestling team at the 1968 Summer Games, and later won a national AAU title in 1971 after moving to the United States.

But it was when he made the transition to the fledgling WWF in 1979 that he became an international superstar, along with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jesse 'The Body' Ventura, and Andre 'The Giant' Roussimoff.

Confirming the news on Twitter, his family paid tribute to 'a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling.' A cause of death has not been released.

'WWE is saddened to hear of the passing of WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik, and extends its condolences to his family, friends, and fans,' read a tweet from the circuit formerly known as the WWF.

'Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling,' read a posthumous tweet from the Iron Sheik's popular Twitter account on Wednesday.

'It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of The Iron Sheik, but we also take solace in knowing that he departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come.

'Beyond the wrestling persona that the world knew so well, The Iron Sheik was a devoted family man. He cherished the love and support of his wife of 47 years Caryl, who stood by his side through thick and thin, offering unwavering encouragement throughout his life. Their bond was an anchor, providing him with the strength to face the challenges that life presented.

'To his children, Tanya, Nikki, Marissa and son in law Eddie, he was not just a wrestling icon. He was a loving and dedicated father. He instilled in them the values of perseverance, determination, and the importance of following their dreams.

'The Iron Sheik's guidance and unwavering belief in their potential served as a driving force for his children, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves.'

**BobtheInquisitor**

Damn. That’s a classic.

**BrookM**

His twitter feed was amazing and so was he, gonna miss the guy. 😭

**Tsagualsa**

Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, has been found dead in his cell today.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/unabomber-theodore-kaczynski-dies-in-federal-custody-da38d636?mod=business_minor_pos4

**ZergSmasher**

Tsagualsa wrote:
Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, has been found dead in his cell today.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/unabomber-theodore-kaczynski-dies-in-federal-custody-da38d636?mod=business_minor_pos4

Linking an article that's behind a paywall is a bit cheeky, unless you were just pointing out the headline. Not saying people can't just google another article, but still...

**Tsagualsa**

ZergSmasher wrote:
Tsagualsa wrote:
Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, has been found dead in his cell today.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/unabomber-theodore-kaczynski-dies-in-federal-custody-da38d636?mod=business_minor_pos4

Linking an article that's behind a paywall is a bit cheeky, unless you were just pointing out the headline. Not saying people can't just google another article, but still...

At the time i was linking it it was not behind one.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian PM and alleged Very Naughty Boy gone aged 86

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65877241

**Laughing Man**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian PM and alleged Very Naughty Boy gone aged 86

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65877241

Man, this last week has just been fantastic!

**chromedog**

I've certainly been reading a bunch of notices with no small amount of joy.

**Dysartes**

Actor Treat Williams died in a motorcycle accident, aged 71 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65886521

I can't say I'm overly familiar with his work, but he showed up on the BBC this morning.

**Laughing Man**

chromedog wrote:
I've certainly been reading a bunch of notices with no small amount of joy.

Am definitely beginning to think Kissinger isn't in this thing, mind you.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Cormac McCarthy, author of The Road, No Country For Old Men and Blood Meridian, has passed.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

John Romita Sr, co-creator of Wolverine and Mary Jane Watson has passed aged 93.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65900673

**Dysartes**

Actress and politician Glenda Jackson has died, aged 87.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26234103

**Ensis Ferrae**

Doubtful many here would recognize the name but, Gino Mäder, a professional cyclist died as a result of a crash during a stage of the Tour of Switzerland

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/16/1182690155/cyclist-gino-mader-tour-de-suisse-crash-death

**BobtheInquisitor**

Actor Julian Sands has been found, dead, near Mount Baldy.

He has played a lot of villains over the years, such as in Warlock, Boxing Helena, and Stargate SG1. One of the great “that guy!” actors of the 90’s.

**Tsagualsa**

BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Actor Julian Sands has been found, dead, near Mount Baldy.

He has played a lot of villains over the years, such as in Warlock, Boxing Helena, and Stargate SG1. One of the great “that guy!” actors of the 90’s.

AFAIK it's not definitely confirmed as of yet that it was his body - he has been missing, last seen in that area, for half a year now, and now people found human remains in the region where he was last seen in, but the remains were in a state of advanced decay and need to be identified by forensic means, which will be done during the coming week.

Hikers in the US have found human remains near the area where British actor Julian Sands disappeared.

Identification should be completed next week, the San Bernardino County sheriff's department in south California said on Saturday.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66012686

It is very likely that the body is in fact his, but the possibility that it could be someone else's still remains and should be taken seriously until the forensic analysis is concluded.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Good point. I was going off a more sensationalized article.

Still, missing half a year while hiking doesn’t sound very hopeful.

**Tsagualsa**

BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Good point. I was going off a more sensationalized article.

Still, missing half a year while hiking doesn’t sound very hopeful.

The family has come forward and said they have accepted that he won't be found alive some time ago, which is probably a reasonable stance considering the amount of time he has been missing for, and the local conditions at the time he went missing. He was an acomplished hiker and well-versed in outdoors practice, so he most likely fell victim to some accident or random health problem that either killed him outright or rendered him helpless, it's not likely that he made a rookie mistake like badly misjudging the weather or getting lost.

**ScarletRose**

A bit of a personal one but my partner's grandfather passed away this morning. He'd been a firefighter for 25 years and had retired as fire chief of his town. He helped countless people and had saved lives.

He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, always willing to share his catches with family and friends. He taught me to shoot, and when dove season came I bagged 7 on my first outing with him. He was very happy to pass on the skills to someone, since no one else in the younger generation of the family had any interest.

The funeral is still being arranged, but no doubt he'll receive full honors as a former chief, and he'll be missed by many people. I had skipped last hunting season since I was busy with work, and planned to see him this year - I would urge everyone to take the time with those they love. You don't always get a chance later.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

All hail that man!

**Ahtman**

Julian Sands death hiking has been confirmed.

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at about 10 a.m., civilian hikers contacted the Fontana Sheriff’s Station after they discovered human remains in the Mt. Baldy wilderness. Fontana Station deputies, along with the Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Operations Division, responded to the scene," the department said in statement. The coroner subsequently "positively identified [the remains] as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood. The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results.

He was an experienced hiker and mountain climber so it most likely wasn't a situation of being inexperienced or unprepared, but the specifics of what went wrong are unknown.