Manhattan Mom Commits Suicide - With 10 Month Old Child Strapped to her Chest
Event Summary: On a sunny March afternoon, bystanders in Manhattan were equally disturbed and stunned as they watched 44 year old Cynthia Wachenheim step off of her eighth story apartment. However, it wasn't the sick sound of Cynthia's body hitting the ground that caused shivers in the unfortunate witnesses, but what Cynthia had strapped to her body. 10 month old Keston had been put into a harness attached to his mother. As this shock registered through their minds, witnesses had no chance to look away. However, the sound of a baby crying helped to lessen the gruesome sight unfolding before their eyes, for it meant that baby Keston was still alive. Having miraculously survived, Keston was rushed to the hospital where he was listed in stable condition shortly after. He escaped with only a few minor cuts.
According to authorities, Wachenheim's 13 page suicide note included references to her being a horrible mother and wife. Other sources add to this saying she was convinced that little Keston had a disability, a fear that doctor's had confirmed to be false. What is unclear to friends, family, and neighbors was why Cynthia told herself that her life was not worth living anymore. Neighbors unthinkingly agreed that Keston was beloved by both his mother and father and that his parent's relationship was strong. With Cynthia's death, a husband is left with unanswered questions, a son is left motherless, and friends are left in downright chaos.
Event Significance: While this story does not have any political or economic effect, the significance of it is unimaginable. The sick uniqueness of this horrible event has to appeal to the confused emotions of every single reader who reads this story.
Personal Response: When I read this story, I did not know what to think. I felt so depressed and confused. First, I was heart-broken because Cynthia Wachenheim left behind a loving husband and a healthy baby boy. Second, I was filled with unending relief after realizing that even though he was strapped to her chest, baby Keston lived and was in close-to-perfect condition. What Cynthia did not think about was that by killing herself, she left behind a motherless child. By strapping that child to herself as she fell eight stories to her death, she left behind a soon-to-be an emotionally confused child. She did not think of the terrors that would come to haunt her son later on in his life. However, I do not know what she was thinking and maybe she did think about all of these situations. What I do know was that somehow, her brain was not connecting right with her emotions and feelings. Somehow, she had it understood that she was useless and confused. I can only feel extreme sorrow for her and hope that she can come to love herself.
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