New Dead Girl: Cheryl Kosewicz 1971-2007 RIP

Cheryl Kosewicz, Pirate Master Hopeful, Takes Own Life - News.com.au

Perhaps more tragic than the death of Mary Rogers (either the result of a homicide or a botched illegal abortion), the suicide of a young woman must be the ultimate in Poe's notions about the sublime in death. Although in his history, he was the only character in his real-life drama to attempt suicide for the sake of romance, the important women in his life died of tuberculosis. But Poe did not take enough poison, laudenum actually, which is the only recorded incident of Poe taking drugs. Some of his characters, Usher the most obvious, took opium, but Poe, nor any of his critics, save Griswold, his arch enemy who made veiled implications, mentioned Poe taking drugs. He was a drunk, a bad drunk, but not a druggie.

So, why did this young woman with everything to live for kill herself? Celebrity? Loss of celebrity? Shame? An unfulfilled meta-narrative? A fantasy lost forever and facing only reality to return to?

"Cheryl Kosewicz was born and raised on a 22-acre farm in Grand Couler, WA, where she and her family literally lived off the land-their only store purchases were paper products. Growing up, she would fish, hunt, garden, sew her own clothes, work with animals and make things for the farm. She began participating in rodeo at a young age, competing in barrel-racing, pole-bending, goat-tying, roping and calf-riding. Her father then turned her on to basketball and she discovered her true love. During high school, she played basketball, and ran in track and cross-country. She was also class president and graduated as a valedictorian. Cheryl received her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she was on the dean's list, on a basketball scholarship and continued on for her master's degree. She then attended law school at Northwestern School of Law in Portland, where she received her Doctorate of Law. She worked as a deputy district attorney in Las Vegas for six and a half years. She is currently a Deputy District Attorney in Reno, NV, focusing on the prosecution of sexual abuse cases. Cheryl regularly goes to the gym, runs, skis and swims. She also enjoys reading, horseback riding and athletic events. She describes herself as confident, athletic, competitive and loud. She currently resides in Sparks, NV. Her birth date is Nov. 11, 1971."

- from the Pirate Master on CBS - Cheryl Kosewicz page