Gloom and Doom Balloon - week of 5/1

Only one unnatural death in Tucson, this past week, a 68-year-old man drowned in his backyard swimming pool.

Another death that touched Tucsonan’s hearts – and the hearts of anyone who knew him – was that of Tucson chess champion Landon Brownell, 19.

He was driving on Highway 99 in Bakersfield, California, when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a eucalyptus tree.

Brownell was affectionately called “that kid with the suit” or “Suitkid” for his penchant for wearing a suit and tie to early tournaments. He nabbed individual and team chess honors while on the high school chess team, was home schooled, cared about people, was smart, funny and affectionate.

Gloom and Doom Balloon - week of 4/17

Two and one-half unnatural deaths hit Tucson this past week.

A nearly 2-year-old toddler toddled out of her home on Easter Sunday, while the rest of the family was napping after an Easter outing, and she somehow ended up in the backyard hot tub.

Family members found her unconscious and rushed her to the hospital but it was already too late. The tot was pronounced dead by drowning.

The half-death may be charged as a whole death for the guy who slammed into a car during a police chase and killed an 8-month fetus in its mother’s womb. The mother was injured and the man responsible may be charged with murder under Arizona law.

One more death involved a naked, 50-year-old man who attacked police when they went on a welfare check to his motel room. Police were called to the room because the motel office heard music, noise, banging and groaning in an upstairs room but got no response when they knocked on the door.

When officers entered the noisy room with a pass key, the naked guy came charging at them. He was Tasered and died in a hospital later that morning.

This Gloom and Doom Balloon was originally webcast on Rynski's Shattered Reality on Party934.com

Read more unnatural Tucson deaths on Ryn's blog DAY OF THE DEAD.

Listen in every Friday at 7 p.m. EST for the newest news at Party934.com.

Tulum: Dead fish and a life jacket

R.I.P. Mica

ODE TO MICA

Dec. 2007 – Jan. 2008

I buried my rat in
the front
so

her grave would
face west towards the
sunset

I could
see the soft mound when
I came home from work

she’d get
morning shade, better
guard us from strangers

the neighbors and
travelers could enjoy
her fine shrine

the dogs, who
frolic in the back, would not
dig her up.

-Ryn Gargulinski, Jan. 2008

Dead stuff in honor of Chainsaw Massacre.