Her's has been dubbed the "most beautiful suicide." In May 1947, Evelyn McHale, 24, died by suicide. She leaped from the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building. In her suicide note, she requested there be no [funeral] service or remembrance of her. However, as it sometimes does, the Universe had other ideas about whether or not Miss McHale should be remembered.
It just happened that student photographer Robert Wiles was nearby with his camera when Evelyn jumped to her death. His photograph of her lifeless body is considered one of the most iconic images of the 20th century; made famous by its publication in LIFE magazine and subsequent appropriation by Andy Warhol for his Suicide: Fallen Body (1962). No one knows for certain why she jumped.
Learn more about Evelyn McHale:“I don’t want anyone in or out of my family to see any part of me. Could you destroy my body by cremation? I beg of you and my family – don’t have any service for me or remembrance for me.My fiance asked me to marry him in June.Tell my father, I have too many of my mother’s tendencies.” - as reported in The Times Record (Troy, N.Y.). 2 May 1947: 1,17. The striked sentences were crossed out by Evelyn.I don’t think I would make a good wife for anybody. He is much better off without me.
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