Ex-cult member kills self; 1 other hospitalized

May 6, 1997
Web posted at: 5:20 p.m. EDT

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- A former member of the Heaven's Gate cult committed suicide Tuesday and another attempted suicide, police said.

Police were withholding names pending notification of their families, though the person who died was male. The unidentified survivor was hospitalized.

CNN has received what appeared to be a suicide tape from the dead man, including so-called "exit statements" from both of them.

"I would like everyone to understand that I simply cannot stay here any longer and I am leaving because it is time for me to leave," he said in a letter accompanying the tape.

"There is no other reason, no matter how many tail feathers (degrees) follow the name of some psychologists who will undoubtedly insist he has all the answers."

In March, 39 members of the group were found dead in a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, north of San Diego.

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