Peter W. Smith, 81, left a carefully prepared file of documents, which includes a statement police called a suicide note in which he said he was in ill health and a life insurance policy was expiring
So he committed suicide because his "life insurance policy was expiring". He must have known that insurance companies don't pay out in the event of a suicide, and in fact will challenge accidental deaths and try and convince the court it was a suicide.
He certainly knew. He was a "financier", as quoted in the article.
"Days earlier, the financier from suburban Lake Forest gave an interview to the Journal about his quest, and it published stories about his efforts beginning in late June. The Journal also reported it had seen emails written by Smith showing his team considered retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, then a top adviser to Republican Donald Trump's campaign, as an ally."
Also:
"killed himself in a Minnesota hotel room days after talking to The Wall Street Journal"
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karenrussell63 ago
So he committed suicide because his "life insurance policy was expiring". He must have known that insurance companies don't pay out in the event of a suicide, and in fact will challenge accidental deaths and try and convince the court it was a suicide.
tossedpizza ago
Some life insurance pays in spite of suicide. It depends on the policy.
pby1000 ago
Maybe he did not know... Or was not thinking clearly.
karenrussell63 ago
He certainly knew. He was a "financier", as quoted in the article.
"Days earlier, the financier from suburban Lake Forest gave an interview to the Journal about his quest, and it published stories about his efforts beginning in late June. The Journal also reported it had seen emails written by Smith showing his team considered retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, then a top adviser to Republican Donald Trump's campaign, as an ally."
Also:
"killed himself in a Minnesota hotel room days after talking to The Wall Street Journal"
pby1000 ago
Yeah, it is hard to say anything about his mental state. It sounds like he was pretty well educated, and should have known.
I think Flynn has the goods on everyone, and that is why they pushed him out. I just wish they would release everything so we can deal with it.