Man Dies in Couple’s AIDS Suicide Pact--They Didn’t Have It
A man died after he and his wife made a suicide pact because they thought they had AIDS, but neither had the deadly disease, officials said today.
Cameron Bentley, 33, died of an overdose of barbiturates, and his unconscious wife, Jean, was found beside him in bed last week, sheriff’s deputies said.
Authorities entered the home after a relative received a letter saying the Bentleys were contemplating suicide. Another note found at the home indicated they wanted to die because they thought they had AIDS, deputies said.
Dr. Philip Keen, Yavapai County medical examiner, said blood tests conducted on the couple showed that neither had the disease.
Jean Bentley, 32, was recovering at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, officials said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
