Statement Analysis: George Anthony Suicide Note 1

Was George Anthony serious in committing suicide, or was this a cry for help, or a public relations stunt, as many have said, to gain empathy for the family, or an attempt to taint future jurors, as others have claimed?  Regardless, it is sad to read.  

This is page one of the suicide note that was admitted into evidence at the trial.  Statement Analysis is in bold type.  

Cynthia Marie,

As you get this letter, this should be no surprise that I have decided to leave the earth, because I need to be with Caylee Marie.

I cannot keep on going because it should be me that is gone from this earth, not her.

In a suicide note we often find straight past tense language, indicating that the subject was serious about the suicide and likely went through with it.  (see prior analysis on suicide notes)  Present tense language raises the question as to intent. In a suicide note of someone who went through with it, we often find the writer addressing his or her audience knowing that the audience is reading it after the death and will write, "I could not go on" and "it should have been me" in the past tense.  Here, George writes in the present tense. 

Note that this is addressed to "Cynthia Marie" and that he wants to be with "Caylee Marie."  The name "Caylee" is a novelty name constructed from the names, "Casey" and "Lee".  

I have lived many years, I am satisfied with my decision because I have never been the man you, Lee, Casey & especially Caylee Marie deserved.

Note that "I am satisfied" is present tense.  In suicide notes there is often acute pain, not satisfaction. 

Note that "because" is sensitive (since, therefore, because, etc) which gives a reason.  Here, he says he has never been "man", which is gender specific.  

Note the order:  you (Cindy) Lee, Casey and Caylee Marie, with the proper name, "Marie" added. 

I have never been the man any of you could count on. I have always let each of you down in more ways then I could remember. I do not feel sorry for myself, I am just sorry I burden all of you the way I have.

Note that "man" is highly sensitive to George.  For further understanding into George Anthony's understanding of masculinity, he associates "man" with "deserved" (above), someone to "count on", not letting them "down".  

Note that he says he is sorry he is a burden to them, not that he burdened them.  

My loss of life is meaningless.

Possessive pronouns are of high importance in Statement Analysis because we are possessive creatures.  Here, George takes possession of "loss"; his "loss of life" is "meaningless".  What makes "his loss" without meaning?  Is it because he never intended suicide?  What is his "loss"?

Cynthia Marie, you have always worked the hardest, given the most to me, and I have never "thanked you."

Note that he continues with Cindy's full name, but now changes verb tense, which is important.  "Worked" is past tense, since Cindy apparently, no longer works, present tense, at the time of the writing.  Note that Cindy worked and gave him "the most", but he never "thanked her" (past tense), but does not thank her here.  It may indicate that he knows he will have time to say "thank you" to her because he expects to live.  

28+ years ago, you corrected me, a man who has now found his identity in life. What I mean is, you always challenged me the right way, and I always could never live up to your expectations.

Note that George is not a "man" but that Cindy "corrected" him, placing him in the status of a boy or a child but then described himself as a "man" who has "now" found his identity in life.  This is indicative of a present change in life, and not of a genuine suicide.  

"I always could never live up" is the first signal of past tense.

You have always been smarter, more knowledgeable & thought things thru & I love you for that.

Note that Cindy is "smarter" which means that George is "smart" and she is more "knowledgeable"

Thus far, in page one, we do not have an indication of a genuine suicide, rather a call for a response.  We will have to see if other pages have more indication of a genuine suicide. 


Please note that this is a sensitive topic to many and some things don't need analysis.  A cry for help is a sad thing, and some suicide notes will go from past tense to present as the subject is in a contemplative state.  


Losing his granddaughter, no matter what the circumstances, is a terrible blow for anyone to cope with.   Whether a suicide note is a genuine "goodbye" or if it is only  a cry for help or attention, it remains a sad and sensitive topic to cover.