2008 Woodie Awards
Athens mourns grad student's suicide
Friend remembers grad student
KRISTEN COULTER
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
University graduate student Israel Stephen Tyree is remembered by friends and family for his love of bodybuilding after his death Nov. 13.
Tyree was found dead in his home by his wife, Leslie Ann Tyree, 28.
The Athens-Clarke County coroner ruled his death a suicide.
Hours before his death, Tyree created a profile on Facebook, in which he discussed his love of the "Godfather" trilogy and asked friends to create a page about him on Wikipedia. On his profile, Tyree wrote: "I am dead to the world, and no one knows I am the result of the craziness of this world. Goodbye."
Tyree, 25, was studying for a masters degree in public health in the epidemiology and biostatistics department. He received a bachelor's degree in exercise psychology from the University in 2004.
The Masters in Public Health Committee notified students and faculty in the College of Public Health of Tyree's death Tuesday via e-mail.
Sean McSwain, a friend of Tyree's since the two were in middle school, said Tyree "would do anything for you."
"He was loved by everybody," McSwain said.
McSwain said Tyree's family and friends remember Tyree for his affinity for bodybuilding.
"At the funeral, his wife had everybody do a bodybuilding pose."
McSwain said his friend had been suffering from depression for a while and sought counseling.
"His pain and anguish is over," McSwain said. "I know he's in heaven now."
Tyree was found dead in his home by his wife, Leslie Ann Tyree, 28.
The Athens-Clarke County coroner ruled his death a suicide.
Hours before his death, Tyree created a profile on Facebook, in which he discussed his love of the "Godfather" trilogy and asked friends to create a page about him on Wikipedia. On his profile, Tyree wrote: "I am dead to the world, and no one knows I am the result of the craziness of this world. Goodbye."
Tyree, 25, was studying for a masters degree in public health in the epidemiology and biostatistics department. He received a bachelor's degree in exercise psychology from the University in 2004.
The Masters in Public Health Committee notified students and faculty in the College of Public Health of Tyree's death Tuesday via e-mail.
Sean McSwain, a friend of Tyree's since the two were in middle school, said Tyree "would do anything for you."
"He was loved by everybody," McSwain said.
McSwain said Tyree's family and friends remember Tyree for his affinity for bodybuilding.
"At the funeral, his wife had everybody do a bodybuilding pose."
McSwain said his friend had been suffering from depression for a while and sought counseling.
"His pain and anguish is over," McSwain said. "I know he's in heaven now."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
CoastalDawg
posted 11/30/07 @ 10:25 AM EST
IT is always tragic when anyone cannot find a reason to keep on living, particularly a young person who seemingly has so much to offer the world. Just fifteen days before this tragic death, a bodybuilder attending the University of Alabama who was scheduled to graduate in December was found dead in his bathroom, cause of death still undetermined. (Continued…)
Danielle Tyree
posted 12/03/07 @ 3:07 AM EST
Truly, a mind and spirit are individual and to say you understand without having taken the same path, is to lie. No matter how much reminiscing is done and what if scenarios- the consequences are irrevocable. (Continued…)
Kathy Simpson
posted 5/14/08 @ 11:43 AM EST
Danielle- I am very, very sorry for your loss. I just recently found out about Israel's passing because of the recent ceremony held at UGA to honor those who had died during the past year. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 7/11/08 @ 2:27 PM EST
Israel was my best friend in High School. He was with me when My grandfather passed away and he kept me sane when I thought things were crumbling around me. (Continued…)
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