"D.C. Madam" Suicide Notes Released

Deborah Jeane Palfrey Wrote To Sister That Death Was Only "Exit Strategy"; Death Officially Ruled Suicide By Hanging

(AP)  The so-called "D.C. Madam" apologized to her mother and sister in suicide notes released Monday, telling them she couldn't bear going to prison for running an elite Washington prostitution ring and saw killing herself as the only "exit strategy."

"I cannot live the next 6-8 years behind bars for what you and I have come to regard as this 'modern day lynching,' only to come out of prison in my late '50s a broken, penniless and very much alone woman," Deborah Jeane Palfrey wrote in the note to her 76-year-old mother, Blanche.

Palfrey, 52, hanged herself with a nylon rope Thursday in a shed outside her mother's mobile home in the Florida Gulf Coast community of Tarpon Springs, northwest of Tampa. Her mother discovered the body.

Palfrey was convicted last month of running a prostitution service that catered to members of Washington's political elite, including Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican. She denied her escort service engaged in prostitution, saying that if any of the women engaged in sex acts for money, they did so without her knowledge.

She was free while she awaited sentencing on July 24 and had been staying with her mother.

Her suicide appeared to be premeditated. The note to her mother was dated April 25, nearly a week before she killed herself. Police said the notes were found on a night stand in the bedroom where she'd been staying. One of the notes said, "Do not revive. Do not feed under any circumstances."

In the note to her younger sister, Bobbie, Palfrey expressed her love and told her to "be strong for mom."

"Also, you must comprehend that there was no other way out, i.e., 'exit strategy,' other than the one I have chosen here," she wrote. "Know I am at peace, with complete certainty, I believe Dad is standing watch - prepared to guide me into the light."

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Palfrey's Note To Her Mother
Palfrey's "DNR" Note
Palfrey's Note To Her Sister

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Also Monday, police announced that the medical examiner's office officially ruled Palfrey's death a suicide by hanging. A toxicology report is pending.

Her death last week had sparked widespread Internet chatter among those who speculated that someone killed her to keep her from identifying more prominent clients of the escort service.

"Tarpon Springs Police Department detectives, after following up on several investigative avenues have not discovered any new evidence which would indicate anything other then a suicide by hanging in this case," spokesman Capt. Jeffrey Young said.

Palfrey's mother and sister identified her handwriting in the suicide notes, Young said.

A federal jury convicted Palfrey on April 15 of money laundering, using the mail for illegal purposes and racketeering. Prosecutors said she ran the prostitution service for 13 years.

The trial concluded without revealing many new details about the service or its clients. Vitter was among possible witnesses but did not take the stand.

Palfrey had vowed that she would not go to prison, even telling a Washington writer that she would commit suicide first.

[jjarden]

How SAD and OUTRAGEOUS that this woman was so let down by a CORRUPT system with CORRUPT Politicians that did not even have the Ball-s to come forward and testify that they did NOT have $ex with the escorts, or if they DID...WHY are they NOT going to Prison like they were going to send Deborah to.

AND to top it off...that Scumbag "Senator" David Vitter is STILL in office.

This woman was DESTROYED by the SYSTEM over what is a VICTIMLESS "Crime"...AND IT''s LEGAL in other prats of the country...AS IT SHOULD BE!

What a Sickeneing and Corrupt Country and Justice System we all are slaves in.

[jjp735i]

It''s a shame she could not deal with the jail time. She was guilty after all. However, why were the johns not charged? Why were the women who proformed the act charged? Someone had to prove they were working girls to make the case of a madam. It''s not like no one could tell who they were. I mean it is an equal crime, needing two to break the law in this case.

[jjp735i]

Correction: Why were the women who proformed the act not charged as well.

[cbsguest6]

It''s sad that she felt this was her only solution to a bad situation. My Grandfather committed suicide and I wasn''t given a note or explanation. He was here one day then gone the next. I feel for her family.

[cdlaferr]

I still think she was ''eliminated''.

[tylenol6]

I don''t believe Ms. Palfrey committed suicide. She appeared on Alex Jones and stated she feared for her life. She even stated she would be raped, murdered or
suicided. She had too many powerful names on her client list. It was said *** Cheney''s name was on her list of client''s and she was going to name names. I will bet Ms. Palfrey gave the list to someone in case something happened to her. The person who murdered her
ought to be very afraid of this client list appearing
in public.

[ontheleft]

Prostitution is the world''s oldest profession. The backward attitude in this country is to outlaw it and try to sweep it under the rug hoping it will go away. It never will. This country just does not want to face reality. Tax it and regulate it. That way at least some of the negatives could be mitigated.

[tomanyt]

Legalize prostitution!!!!

[rushlimpdrug]

You''d think that with the list the FBI would
go after the johns (instead of going for steroid
Roger).

Of course the FBI can''t afford to touch any of this.

Leave it to the local cops.

[nkl66]

jjarden -

I agree with you. Deborah was the only one punished. Why is David Vitter still in office, why were the woman that actually performed the acts and were paid not charged. We have over crowded jails so they let worse criminals out early. Prostitution is legal in other parts of the country and the world. People think oh we can%u2019t let these women exploit themselves. They know what they are doing and they are paid well for it. Free enterprise. The men know what they are doing too when they pay. If their wife catches them involved in this kind of behavior let her deal with her man%u2026 behind closed doors. It is not anyone%u2019s business.

[jjarden]

I too originally thought that maybe she was murdered...but after reading those heartfelt letters...in HER handwriting...I am convinced that she killed herself. There wouldn;t have been that much feeling in those letters if someone had forced her to write them.

She killed herslef...a Tragedy either way...and a TRAVESTY of "Justice."

People such as "Senator" David Vitter should pay dearly for this woman being driven to suicide.

She was an American CITIZEN for crying our loud!

This isn''t the Soviet Union! She was railroaded over a VICTIMLESS "CRIME"...while everyone else got off scott free.

The Corruption is DISGUSTING!

[ajmarine11]

If a woman gives away her pleasures and charms to a man for free, no one says anything and all''s right with the world. However, if she asks for a monetary reward for the favors she has shown him, they want to through her in jail..............something is wrong with this picture.

[dogsoul]

Oh please... you conspiracy theorists are real nut jobs - she OFFED herself - period. Why? She didn''t want to go to the slammer - that''s why.

Just like she chose to pimp hookers - tried to take what she thought was the easy way out.

Now she''s left her elderly mother & her sister devasted once again - selfish till the end...

oh - and honey... that light? I think you''ll notice it gets hotter & hotter as you approach... and that ain''t dad waiting for ya on the other end...

[peach652]

This chic''s handwriting is a mess! If I were leaving such important notes to my loved ones, I''d make them legible so folks could acually read them.

[dogsoul]

Look - if you idiots want to legalize prostitution at the Federal level- then go ahead & lobby for it... but the bottom line is that it was against the law - and SHE profited from breaking that law - and she took the chance...

I don''t think POT is very harmful either - but I''m not going to grow fields of it & sell it all over the place illegally - why? Hmmmm - because.... oh I dunno, I''ll go to jail?

[adanc3rsmom]

She was going to prison for offering a service that was used by Washington "Big Shots". Please explain to me the fairness in this??? She was going to prison and her clients were continuing with their lives... probably continuing to use services offerred by another enterprising woman. Give me a break. When is the double standard going to end?

Try as I may....I can''t understand some posters here. She didn''t get the prison time for pimping...she got it for MONEY LAUNDERING AND MAIL FRAUD among other charges. The hookers and the johns didn''t get jail time because they didn''t commit these kinds of crimes!

[cbsguest6]

Legalizing prostitution is only an easy solution to a greater problem. It may seem to be a great idea but in the long run it would only lead to other problems. Women or men who engage in this "business" are trading in their dignity for quick cash while someone else gets a cheap thrill. This type of behavior takes it''s toll on these people that''s why most turn to alcohol or drugs. The problem is you make se x a business rather than a personal relationship, most who turn to prostitutes have problems as it is. Either they have relationship issues or problems with spouses. So from the start it already has problems before any se x happens. You will not convince me that legalizing prostitution is a good idea.

[dogsoul]

...funny, liberals are ALL about supporting the ''gay community'' - that is, until a republican is caught in a McGreevy-like s*x scandal - then they start pointing fingers & saying F@G!!! And really, after Willy got sucked off by the 21 year old intern in the oval office... you''re really better off keeping quiet...

liberals - because hypocrisy is what we do

[dogsoul]

"She didn''''t get the prison time for pimping...she got it for MONEY LAUNDERING AND MAIL FRAUD among other charges. The hookers and the johns didn''''t get jail time because they didn''''t commit these kinds of crimes! "

Look - the drug DEALER is the one who gets the harder time... and for good reason. They got Capone on tax evasion & mail fraud too. She ran a prostitution ring - made lots of money doing it - took a chance on getting caught - and did...

then she offed herself

end of story

[ajmarine11]

You will not convince me that legalizing prostitution is a good idea.

Posted by cbsguest6 at 03:01 PM : May 05, 2008



Seems to work in Amsterdam.

It''s not what everyone would want to do, but I still think that it should be a woman''s choice.

[tummage]

I don''t believe she committed suicide, the same way I don''t believe Sylvia Landry, another "Madame" committed suicide by hanging herself in 1995 in Louisiana.

[straightmate]

what was vitter''s punishment again? oh yeah not 6-8 years what a total crock. This is just par for the washington bull$hlt course. Politicians are pure scum

[culturechang]

The moral state of America really does not matter and is supposed to be out of reach of the Govt. anyway. Niether the founding fathers nor the Constitution intended or allow regulation of morality in a country intended to be "free". Everytime we take exception to the Constitution it causes massive problems too. Slavery and segregation were purposeful exceptions taken in years past and what did it to. Caused massive problems and upheaval.

This woman was persecuted by the federal govt which was unleased on her by politically correct politicians who voted to regulate morality. Getting it off the books legislatively will never happend because those guys are too holy. Its is judges who are supposed to protect individuals from govt persesution by the seperation of powers. They fail and continue to fail everytime they allow a conviction for drugs and prostitution.

If the constitution protects a woman''s right to sexual freedom (abortion) why should it not protect a man''s right to the same thing. Again, a constitutional exception based on gender that will surely cause problems.

[cbsguest6]

Seems to work in Amsterdam.

It''''s not what everyone would want to do, but I still think that it should be a woman''''s choice.



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Posted by AJMarine11 at 03:12 PM : May 05, 2008
+ report abuse

I still think there has got to be a better solution than prostitution. It is a choice that I don''t think most in a sound and sane mind would make. I''ve never been to Amsterdam, but I don''t see how anyone can reach their full potential when they are doing something that they have been taught is wrong from birth. No matter how they try to rationalize their behavior there is still the lingering feelings of guilt for what they are doing. And it is this guilt that I think drives them to alcohol, drugs and worse. Even if I spent a week in Amsterdam and it appeared to "work" I''m still wouldn''t be convinced it is a viable solution to a person''s bigger problems.

[dogsoul]

"Seems to work in Amsterdam"

Amsterdam is an absolute cest pool - and MOST of those women are HIV positive

talk about trying to prove by exception

[missyt1964]

I can GUARANTEE that you would see a sharp decline in crime if both prostitution AND marijuana were legalized. When was the last time you heard of someone being murdered for buying booze? Doesn''t happen because it is legal. Hell, booze is FAR more addictive than cigarettes or pot and BOOZE IS LEGAL. Legalize marijuana and prostitution.

[usbrit-2009]

You know if she had any dealings with Clinton or his close friends that this was no Suicide!!!!! Just look at all the so called Clinton friends that died, and yes some were labeled suicide... What a BIG SURPRISE IT WAS TO LEARN THAT Palfrey IS DEAD NOW.... Ah.. NO surprise here..

Posted by cornbiker

You a simply a stupid fu*king idiot CB.

[fibonacci_]

:( suicide sucks.

[cbsguest6]

I can GUARANTEE that you would see a sharp decline in crime if both prostitution AND marijuana were legalized. When was the last time you heard of someone being murdered for buying booze? Doesn''''t happen because it is legal. Hell, booze is FAR more addictive than cigarettes or pot and BOOZE IS LEGAL. Legalize marijuana and prostitution.


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Posted by missyt1964 at 03:27 PM : May 05, 2008

By legalizing prostitution and marijuana you are only going to trade one set of problems for another.

[nolalou]

Just look at all the so called Clinton friends that died, and yes some were labeled suicide... What a BIG SURPRISE IT WAS TO LEARN THAT Palfrey IS DEAD NOW.... Ah.. NO surprise here.. Posted by cornbiker

I''m not surprised either, not surprised that SOME IDIOT like you would find a way to blame the Clinton''s for this! I''m not surprised at your total STUPIDITY, cornbiker! GET A LIFE! There was no connection in this case with the Clinton''s! Not every *** problem in the world is the fault of the Clinton''s!

[dmotte]

She could have at least let me have one good romp in the sack before she bit the bullet.

what was vitter''''s punishment again? oh yeah not 6-8 years what a total crock. This is just par for the washington bull$hlt course. Politicians are pure scum
Posted by straightmate at 03:19 PM : May 05, 2008

Let''s try this again for the HARDHEADED:
Try as I may....I can''''t understand some posters here. She didn''''t get the prison time for pimping...she got it for MONEY LAUNDERING AND MAIL FRAUD among other charges. The hookers and the johns didn''t get jail time because they didn''t commit these kinds of crimes.

Besides that...forget the prostitution....does''nt it bother you that she evaded taxes? I pay my fair share don''t you?

[fibonacci_]

Legalize weed and prostitution, YEA!

[erasmus81]

"I''''ve never been to Amsterdam, but I don''''t see how anyone can reach their full potential when they are doing something that they have been taught is wrong from birth." Posted by cbsguest6 at 03:24 PM : May 05, 2008

But over there, they are probably not taught that it is wrong.

[oldone60]

Just look at all the so called Clinton friends that died (cornbiker)

OK - who''s going to be the first one to blame this on Bush and/or Cheney? I''m surprosed that hasn''t happened already.

[tomanyt]

cbsguest6...What would those problems be, pray?

[bobnjersey]

[By legalizing prostitution and marijuana you are only going to trade one set of problems for another.]
[Posted by cbsguest6 at 03:29 PM : May 05, 2008]

so which set of problems are less signifigant? and what are those problems when it''s legal?

it can''t be the actions actually occuring (legal) ... or not occuring (illegal). they''re occuring either way.

[tomanyt]

"Seems to work in Amsterdam"

Amsterdam is an absolute cest pool - and MOST of those women are HIV positive
talk about trying to prove by exception
Posted by dogsoul
dogsoul...from this post, it is clear you have no idea what you are talking about. The women in Amsterdam who are employed as prostitutes have regular checkups by the health department and are tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. If you are found to be positive, you are banned from working in the *** industry.

[cbsguest6]

"I''''''''ve never been to Amsterdam, but I don''''''''t see how anyone can reach their full potential when they are doing something that they have been taught is wrong from birth." Posted by cbsguest6 at 03:24 PM : May 05, 2008

But over there, they are probably not taught that it is wrong.



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Posted by erasmus81 at 04:02 PM : May 05, 2008

The person is still exploiting themselves and irregardless of what society norms are like in Amsterdam other parts of European society look at prostitution with a negative view. Just because something is legal doesn''t mean that all favor the practice.

[dodaz-2009]

Suuuuuuuuure,.. she did.

[cbsguest6]

[By legalizing prostitution and marijuana you are only going to trade one set of problems for another.]
[Posted by cbsguest6 at 03:29 PM : May 05, 2008]

so which set of problems are less signifigant? and what are those problems when it''''s legal?

it can''''t be the actions actually occuring (legal) ... or not occuring (illegal). they''''re occuring either way.


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Posted by bobnjersey at 04:06 PM : May 05, 2008

I live in the now so I''m concerned with dealing with what problems are at hand. In my opinion it is best to tackle why these people would make a self degrading choice. This isn''t a skill they are exploiting it is their bodies.

[tomanyt]

cbsguest6...Most Europeans do not take a negative view toward prostitution or s.e.x. in general. Its only here in the US that people are TAUGHT to have a negative view of anything sexual!!!!

[tomanyt]

cbsguest6...But its their choice to exploit their bodies if they wish.

[cbsguest6]

cbsguest6...What would those problems be, pray?


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Posted by tomanyt at 04:05 PM : May 05, 2008

Financial for starters.

[tomanyt]

cbsguest6...What would those problems be, pray?
---------------------
Posted by tomanyt at 04:05 PM : May 05, 2008
Financial for starters
What do you mean?

[cbsguest6]

cbsguest6...Most Europeans do not take a negative view toward prostitution or s.e.x. in general. Its only here in the US that people are TAUGHT to have a negative view of anything sexual!!!!



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Posted by tomanyt at 04:12 PM : May 05, 2008

I''m going to sum this up for you with a scenario. Say a prostitute acquires a client and that client is not satisfied with the services rendered. So the client takes the consumer mentality that the prostitute owes more than *** and beats or possibly murders the prostitute. Now all this happens before any police can be called. *** is fueled by emotion and attraction and if you try to regulate it like a business you are asking for trouble.

[tomanyt]

Now all this happens before any police can be called. *** is fueled by emotion and attraction and if you try to regulate it like a business you are asking for trouble.
Posted by cbsguest6
Then explain to me and the rest of us, how it is that the Dutch seem to have a handle on problems like that?????
"*** is fueled by emotion and attraction" Not when it comes to using a prostitute!!!!

[cbsguest6]

Then explain to me and the rest of us, how it is that the Dutch seem to have a handle on problems like that?????
"*** is fueled by emotion and attraction" Not when it comes to using a prostitute!!!!



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Posted by tomanyt at 04:21 PM : May 05, 2008

I want you to google "Robert Pickton" or "Gary Ridgway" and then I want you to tell me you think prostitution is a swell idea.

[a-ji]

She knew the risks and brave enough to engage with this type of "business" and knowing that she will be dealing with the rich and powerful. But I have doubts on the concept of killing herself.