I think she is probably lying. it is impossible for someone to stab themselves twice in the heart. why else would she pull the knife out. maybe she can go hang out with courtney love on psycobitch island and then we can all forget about the bitches our musical heroes get involved with... i mean sid vicous had it right, the groupie is supposed to die first not the rockstar.... never trust portland chicks.. they are some scandelous hoes.

This [Deleted] killed him. Period, end of story. Even someone with no forensics or medical knowledge can read the facts and see a serious series of mishandled events. She's a murderer. [Deleted] Just another case of a gifted man being brought down [Deleted]

lev six - you seem to be either very angry or emotionally stunted or both. Chill it on the hate of women - you aren't doing anyone any favors. Neither is the girlfriend here, but that's obvious without your invective.

And you claim to be the professional at Prix Media?

I'm sorry, scratch the last sentence above. Prix Media is just an ambulance chaser Web site.

Why would Elliott spell his name Elliot
in a suicide note ?

"Ambulance chaser" website? So, people that produce music albums and freelance writing are ambulance chasers? Do you even know that term means? You don't understand how uneducated and lost you sound by posting blatant lies. Anyone with an internet browser can see that it's a real site, which by the way has gotten more press and reknown than you and your entire [Deleted] tree will get in ten lifetimes. Jealous much? You clearly haven't studied the autopsy report. Secondly, the language I use or do not use does not effect reality. Take your puritanical bullshit to a P.C. gathering. "Ambulance chaser?" [Deleted] It's a record label and freelance writing site, [Deleted] Last time I checked, people write their names correctly on suicide notes and don't have defensive slashes on their arms. Give it a rest, and focus at the issue at hand, rather than lying about the contents of my url and becoming fixated on the usage of the word [Deleted] If you've ever had a loved one murdered or victimized by violence, maybe you'll understand why it evokes emotion -- particularly when the investigation was botched and it's full of holes and lies. Now, try focusing on the technical issues rather than diverting attention with your poorly written deceit.

Elliot Smith would not kill himself, at least i hope not...good man till the end

I'd think she took the knife out because it's a pretty freaky sight to see someone lying there with a knife in his chest.

Nobody knows what happened except her and him so accept it.

[Deleted]

i think it's horrible to assume that she killed him just based of the newspaper articles we read. what happened to elliot was terrible, but given his history of drug addiction and depression it is not hard to assume that he did indeed inflict his own wounds. how do you stab yourself twice in the heart? you don't die immediately, in fact according to reports elliot didn't die until an hour after the ambulance came. and, the fact that an ambulance was called while elliot was alive is in jennifer's favor.
i don't know what happened, but i think calling her a [Deleted] is horrible, and judgemental.
but then, i'm in teh innocent until proven guilty boat.

Um, and he DIDN't spell his name "elliot" on the suicide note, Pat. If you paid attention at all to this story, the coroner's office ADMitted to the typo in their report that the note said "elliot" - it was their typo, which means the note really said "elliott" . sheesh.

I am such a tool that I have an IQ that is higher than anyone in your genetically misfired tree over the past thousand years. "Tool" is such a creative term. Where did you get that one? I think the last time I heard that was from fraternity sweatshirt wearing kettle assed mongrels.

Are you an art major?

Unlike you and the vast majority of the population, I have been deeply immersed in music and its peripheral bullshit for many years. What I have stated is based upon sound science and fact. I really appreciate your armchair warrior stance, but really, you're a prime example of a mindless kook that likes to puff out their textual chest at any given opportunity. I have accomplished more in ten years than your entire family tree. Yes, I can guarantee that fact, simpleton. Just leave your album title or any other pertinent information within your brilliant comment. Get a clue.

Go find a little Laqueesha, settle down and make yourself happy, [Deleted] I[Deleted]

How do I know this?

I performed in the same circles as him for many years, [Deleted] Hit me up directly, brain surgeon, before you spout off further and make yourself look even more brilliant than you already are.

[Deleted]

Hey, everyone. I'm not looking to get into the ongoing war, just wanted to offer a celebratory blog on Mr. Smith's life. Check out the tribute blog and hopefully we can remember the positives in dudeman's life. Because quite frankly, no matter how confusing or uncertain his death was, the guy's music was bigger than this, agreed? And so we should be. Just my thoughts, take them for what they are.
Rich

This is in response to JEN. I paid attention to several sources where it was quoted that the name was spelled wrong. If you have something to add and clarify that is fine and good, that what a forum like this is for. Making a comment about my paying attention is out of place. So take your sheesh and double it. Is your last name Chiba or something?

he did it. i know he did. she would never do that.

I personally do think this was a murder, and that Jennifer Chiba is the number one suspect. But all this talk of "bloodsucking bitches who get involved with gifted men"?? OK. It does seem like that in pop culture. But permit me to make this argument: Maybe if females weren't encouraged to be no more than groupies and accessories to "gifted men" and were instead encouraged to develop their musical/artistic gifts themselves, they wouldn't become "psychobitches" whose jealousy and/or low self esteem and/or pathetic groupie-ness CAUSES them to bloodsuck the "gifted male"??

Being female is hell, but there is a way out: Live like a person, not like a gender.

its so saddening, he died alone with no one to comfort him.. in a way i almost hope it was a murder because i hate to imagine his state of mind he was in and how lonely i know he was-- what a last resort, it's one of the most painful ways you can go out. but it doesn't make sense to say that he killed himself when he was a. clean b. he had defensive lacerations on his hands and arms. c. the wounds were straight and precise, both of them. if you stab yourself once, and then take the knife out and stab yourself again, it wouldn't be precise; you would be weak and very unsteady. so i believe someone killed him.. but i could never point a finger at someone because what a raw feeling it would be to end up punishing someone for a crime they never committed (falsely accused of). but i can see how if jennifer did kill him, she would panic and call an ambulance and it is a perfect way to cover up finger prints on the knife by saying that you pulled the knife out that he injected on his own.

lev six i think that you are a joke. because i think you just like gossip why would jen do that [Deleted]

You guys should really chill. In the end, all we know for sure is that Elliott died from a knife wound. No one can say what the hell happened.
As for blaming Jennifer Chiba, who knows? If she did do it, why'd she do it?
And there isn't enough evidence to even prove she did it.

Just leave him alone. You guys are just producing more angst for Elliott's fans and family members.
And you same people who are bashing and insist that Jennifer did it are probably the same people who led to the suicide/murder.

The media's idiot responses tend to drive celebrities/artists' deaths quicker.
Thank you all, so much, for killing off one of the most beautiful and truthful artists we had.
[Deleted]

off course both Cobain and Smith did it themselves. How can you explain the "defensive wounds" ? Smith was a man, not so slim and weak, and if you suppose the girl had attacked him, how can you imagine that he'd been unable to stop her ? Total nonsense.

I sat with Elliot after a show he did here in seattle some years back. He played with Grandaddy. We sat for over an hour just chatting about life, music, and Portland. The one thing that was very clear was that he had a lot of sadness in his life. Now I in no way intend to intimate that an hour or so is enough to get a handle on this mans mind, but everyone is familiar with his drug use. We all know about the depression. it is possible that Elliott cared more for making it all go away then whether or not we would feel robbed of his gift. if she did it she will rot in hell for this heinous act. If he did it it was his choice and he doesnt owe anyone an explanation for it. I guess my question is why all the anger from the fans? We all were allowed a glimpse into something beautiful. That never lasts forever. Thank whoever you believe in that we atleast got that and chill.

I am a "bitch". You are very eloquent. I can tell that you are an English major. I am playing the devil's advocate. I think that people are too ready to discount one story or another. It is important to keep the dead man's side alive, even if it is unlikely. The vast majority of you have not done your homework, but I'd expect nothing less from internet warriors. Write me directly, please, and approach it with a scientific and logical intention. Otherwise, keep on throwing slander toward blog commentary pages. You're well suited for it! For the simpleton that felt the need to throw Cobain into the mix...HA HA HA! I know more than you ever will about his case. I have no desire to prove myself so why would I post it to "xxtotalxxhardcorexx"?? It's a private ordeal. My informed OPINION is that I think Elliot was stabbed by someone other than himself. That is my opinion. I am sorry that it evokes such homicidal anger within you. [Deleted in line with BlogCritics Comments Policy. Comments Editor]

So this site isn't about free speech? Why do I constantly have sentences deleted here? I am sure they will delete this too. I strongly recommend that people avoid this forum as you will be censored. I was attacked repeatedly but if you can read and look above those sentences remain. What gives? It's a double standard. It is the reason why I will never, ever come to this site again and why I will influence thousands and thousands of people to never use this site.

When's the book burning festival?

If any of you simpletons looked at the autopsy there were DEFENSIVE WOUNDS on his forearms. How does that occur? [Deleted] Ok, see you all later...the IQ level here is very intimidating.

Lev Six

LEV: On your next visit, take a moment to visit the Blogcritics Comments Policy, then you will understand why a certain amount of "refining" of this thread was done. NOBODY wants to prevent you making your opinion known, not at all, but we do like to try to maintain a focus on the subject not the vessel, OK? Comments Editor]

I don't pretend to know squat about what happened, but I just wanted to say that people in a deep depression are sometimes fully capable of suicide even though others could never imagine they would be. But defensive wounds don't sound good for the girlfriend either.

poor mr smith i r very not happy r u? this individual occurance is quite very sadness filled and oh how it affects other occurances.

um wasn't elliot smith a football guy? I didn't know he played songs and sang music too at the same time?

thats so impressive but i r very sadnesss filled from the occurance. k bi

I don't think they are 'defensive wounds' as it is widely known that Elliott self-harmed. Also how can people not believe that he would kill himself? Suicide is mentioned in his songs, he jumped off a cliff and has tried to overdose many times... it all points to suicide to me

lev six

first off-see ya-wouldn't want to be ya!

secondly -and less importantly - you are a cliche

finally - if you had any sense of smith, cobain, shit! howdy mo fo doody you'd just simply stop rattling on and let the rest of the world continue you on where the cliches left off a long long time ago

be well
rest in peace to all the sad souls in circulation

sorry-
one more thing
the slash marks"
defensive wounds?

how about our man elliot( elliott) was appareantly a "cutter"

that said
i do love his music
he is in his own sad and twisted way a very inspiring soul (still-to this day-right freekin now)

ciao

Either way, he's gone and he left all of us a gift. We should be more concerned with his gift as an artist than his death as a human being. We know nothing beyond the gift he was willing to share.

I agree with kristi, lets just celebrate what he brought to this world, not get caught in the politics

In Richmond VA the Harvey family was murdered by random strangers. That could have happened to Elliott. It could have been a botched murder-suicide. In the news it was said that Charlie Rockett cut his own throat. That is nearly impossible to believe unless drugs were involved. Even though Elliott was clean for a year the psychological role of addiction could still have been a factor. If Elliott's girlfriend is lying she is a remarkable psychopath.

We all love and miss elliott, and if he could see us right now he'd probably be laughing his ass off with all the crazy ideas people get in their head. However eliott died, we should all celebrate the great music he gave us. =]
r.i.p STEVE (ELLIOTT) SMITH
"burning every bridge that I cross, to find some beautiful place to get lost" - Elliott Smith

Who cares? His music was gay anyway

I think he wanted her to do it to him. And she loved him so she did. He was miserable.

From what I've read, Jennifer Chiba stated that she found Elliott standing up with a knife in his chest, which might possibly explain why she would pull it out - she thought there was a chance he might survive. As for the cuts on his arms/hands, think about it. That alone does not prove anything. We don't know if the cuts were 'fresh' or healed, which would make a big difference. One thing we do know for sure is that Elliott suffered through addictions and horrible depression for most of his life. While many close to him seemed to have felt he was making a recovery, it is very common for addiction and depression sufferers to have very intense relapses. Life without your previous crutches can be very hard, and very frightening, and without a strong support system, many fall down, and some never get back up.

I dont care if he killed himself or if Chiba killed him. I am sad that we will never get to hear him laugh on stage again, never hear his masterpiece...
R.I.P. Elliott Smith

you can all read the official autopsy report at smokinggun.
the 'refusal to speak with detectives' is also mentioned in the police report.

dude did you guys not listen to his music? he sounds so depressed i think he killed himself and it didnt suprise me, the last song he recorded was "King's Crossing" and thats a great song, but it shows his suicidal nature man, i know a kid who was in the same situation with depression and drugs and shit, and he killed himself, thats just what that shit does to you man, and come on if youre boyfriend or girlfriend just died youre not going to want to talk to some stranger about it

I don't know enough about this to say what I think definitively happened, but this does sound very much like a homicide situation. It's kind of popular knowledge that whenever someone has something stuck in them, whether it be something as simply as a piece of lead in your arm or, in this case, a knife in your chest, it's best to let a medical professional remove it. Especially in this situation, where, had she not pulled it out, then he actually may have had a better chance of surviving. Pulling an object out in such a fragile place of the body may have caused more bleeding and also damaged more arteries, blood vessels, tissues, etc. It looks like a homicide, to me, and that's only furthered by her refusal to speak to detectives. But then again, I wasn't there and I don't know what happened definitively. Either way, it's a tragedy that such a beautiful talent is gone. XO

Miss him terribly...

Um, ok?? What the hell is that about? LOL!! (above)

Anyway, Elliott Smith changed my life and it's hard to listen to other music because everything else sounds so fake or contrived. He was the Dylan of our generation.

I don't know who to believe anymore. Apparently 'white vans' were following him around before his death and there was apparently strange things happening to Elliott before his death that only a very small group know about. Cast of Characters: Label Reps, Manager, Jennifer, Dreamworks etc...

I read the other day that Kurt Cobain is the richest dead man alive! More than John Lennon and Elvis combined. It wouldn't surprise me his death was planned for future revenue.

Id hate this to be a fact, believe me..but he was a fucking genious, he will be missed in years to come.

I love you with all my heart,
Thanks for the memories and music

LL

i didn't read all these comments ... but for those that are accusing jen ... just stop. it's obvious it was a suicide, it's horrible and sad. leave it alone.

[Edited]

I think people should not give their opinion without being informed about the facts, it is absolutely ridiculous to conclude about his death whereas the coroner and police were not able to close the case!! and no, his lyrics cannot bring an answer.

I had the privilege to meet him a couple of time, and the last time was about a month and half before his death.

I don't pretend to know what happened but I am absolutely not convinced it was a suicide, simply based on the facts: the method of suicide (very rare), TWO stab wounds, both fatal per se, the absence of hesitation marks, and the lacerations on his palms and under his right arm. The argument that Elliott was a cutter is just not valid, first of all because the coroner should have been able to make the difference between self-inflicted wounds and fresh lacerations, and also because the locations of these cuts do not make sense (under the right arm!!! and he was right handed). Then there is J. Chiba's behavior who removed the knife, did not cooperate with the police, and went abroad after it happened.
Again, I don't know what happened but nobody should draw any conclusion based on feelings or lyrics,... Read the facts!

wow....what horrible things written on this forum.

so much anger and vitriol.

a sensitive person, like he was, would probably find humanity extremely depressing and upsetting. this forum provides a good example of what makes life unbearable for some people.

life is made up of catch-ups, we anger and pain over events that happen to us while trying to rationalize why they happend -- all after the fact.

The context of truth is much, much deeper than a who-dunnit case study. Where it lies exactly, I'm not sure. But the culmination of circumstances in his life, both ethereal and tangible, led up to this horrific end. Period. Fate drew it's ugly hand.

Remember, every mere turn we take in life, to the relationships we make, to the love we take and make, although unconcious as we are "in the act" of doing them, become, oh so significant in our act of death.

Analogy to tragedy is like Chinese medicine - the art of prevention is key to good health.

I don't know how Chiba's personality is, but I doubt she wanted to kill him (why would she do that? She wouldn't get absolutely no profit of it, no money, no properties, no popularity...).

At the worst, she might have found Elliott trying to stab himself and tried to avoid it, but he finally managed to stick the knife into his chest (and that'd explain why he got all those lacerations in the arms, etc.);
AND ANYWAY
Do you think we should be suspicious of her because apparently she tried to remove the knife of his chest? Of course she could have touched it for other reasons, but if it was my boyfriend I'd have tried to take out the knife too, no matter what it may look like later. One could think that doing that could save his life -or be less painful.

If the police say they haven't found enough evidence for incriminating her, you should think this may be for some reason.

I still have doubts, but I think it was possible that he finally, and unexpectedly, got the courage to kill himself in a moment of despair, and his girlfriend arrived too late as she hadn't realized he was serious that time. In that case, nobody is to blame.

I think it strange that so many people have no problem with the idea of a human plunging a knife into his heart; pulling it out, and plunging it back through the heart (and making a new hole next to the other one at that.)

I'd like you to imagine (seriously) doing that to yourself - regardless if you were as depressed as he. Serioiusly ...imagine it.

If Chiba was taking a shower, it is entirely possible that someone came in the house and stabbed him. People do that sort of thing to celebrities; look at George Harrison for example.

It's also possible that she did it; but there is no proof. I can't form a clear opinion on that one.

It's possible, but it's a pretty nasty charge.

something is very fishy...

considering the direction of the stabs were atypical to those generally seen in cases of self inflicted stab wounds. also, there was no hesitation wound, inconsistent with that generally seen in those kinda cases.

Most importantly, I have read that Chiba stated that they were having an argument.

And what happens again and again when couples fight?...

C'mon people...

They very often physically HURT EACH OTHER!

I think given the facts of the case she most likely stabbed him and then covered her tracks and
the reason the police took no action is they know
they HAVE TO PROVE IT, or have better than a 50% chance of proving it. This is very difficult given that the probable murderer is the only witness and the physical evidence is inconclusive at best.

People keep stressing that he sang about suicide and was depressed BUT at least he was dealing with those feelings in his music and -with medication.

She most likely stabbed him, or, in the .03% chance that the laws of physics and typical human relationships were suspended and he did do it,
then she drove him, or partly drove him to do it, as it happened while they were fighting.