Ex-New Haven Register reporter dies at 27

Michael Bellmore worked at the Register for 14 months and judging by this memorial he was one of the best things about the newsroom, personally and professionally.

His deskmate for a year said “Mike’s acceptance of others made you feel like you had known him for years. He always took the time to chat with you throughout the day and was generally interested in his colleagues as individual people."

http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20140507/ex-register-reporter-michael-bellmore-of-hamden-remembered-for-talent-sensitivity

No cause of death yet.

 

Wow. For the newspaper to go to those lengths for a FORMER reporter makes me agree with Songbird.

 

I have some strong suspicions about this situation, but unless and until the facts come out, it's probably best not to comment (especially about the story and some of the quotes).

 

I think you just commented.

 

CT has a huge heroin problem. OD deaths are way up.

http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20131221/8216typical8217-heroin-user-in-connecticut-is-white-male-suburban-often-unaware-of-what-they8217re-actually-using

 

I wonder if the reporter really said he was "generally" interested in his colleagues or if it was supposed to say "genuinely."

 

I kind of have the same reaction.

 

I'm a little confounded about what was suspicious about the quotes? They seemed like the standard quotes about how beloved the deceased was, but more articulate than usual because they were provided by writers.

What subtext am I missing?

 

The part that perked my ears was the fact that he worked there 14 months, had left, and when he dies at age 27 with no cause of death, he gets a 35-inch memorial story where he's put up on the altar about what a great human being he is, for among other things, taking the time to chat with his deskmates throughout the day.

I have no idea what's up, but it's a safe bet that something is up.

 

Based on my summer writing obits, if they're that vague about cause of death, it's often (but not always) a suicide.

I'm guessing if that's the case, we'll never know unless they write a follow-up, which I assume they won't.

 

Not really. If I had really commented, you'd know it.

Mizzou alludes to what I suspect may be the explanation.

If that is indeed the case, some of the quotes in the story seem quite disingenous (or maybe much worse).

But, we still don't know.

 

A freelance reporter called the New Haven ME's office today. Still awaiting toxicology tests.