Birthday Blues: Study Suggests People More Likely to Die on Birthday

On your next birthday, you might be careful not to strain yourself too much blowing out all of those candles on your cake, as a new study suggest people are more likely to die on their own birthdays as they get older!

Researchers conducted a study of over two million death cases from the past forty years and concluded that people experience an increased risk of dying on their actual birth dates from a series of risks, including heart attacks, strokes, accidents and suicides.

On average, people over the age of 60 were 14 % more likely to die on their birthdays than any other random day. Heart attack deaths rose by a percentage of 18.6 % and were more likely to claim men, while women suffered deadly strokes a staggering 21.5 % on their special day!

There was also a 34.9 % rise in birthday suicides, 28.5 % rise in accidental deaths not related to cars, and a 44 per cent rise in deaths from accidental falls occurring on victim's birthdays. Birthday suicide rates only increased significantly in men, the study concludes.

Famous individuals who died on their birthdays include playwright William Shakespeare, as well as actress Ingrid Bergman. 

Another Facebook Death as Woman Commits Suicide Live Online

Another death has been linked to social media mega-site Facebook after a woman in Taiwan allegedly committed suicide while carrying on conversations live via the site.

Taiwanese authorities say 31-year-old Claire Lin from Taipei gave a running commentary about her plans to kill herself  to at least nine people on her friend's list, but none of them contacted emergency services to prevent the tragedy. Lin lit up a charcoal grill in the enclosed space of her bedroom with the intent to asphyxiate herself, even going so far as to post a photograph of the flaming grill in her bedroom, burning next to two of her stuffed animals.

Although some of her friends begged her to stop, none of them contacted emergency services to try and help the disturbed woman. One of her Facebook friends, identified as Chung Hsin, told Lin: "Be calm, open the window, put out the charcoal fire, please, I beg you."

Lin responded with "The fumes are suffocating. They fill my eyes with tears. Don't write me anymore."

Her last online entry read, "Too late. My room is filled with fumes. I just posted another picture. Even while I'm dying, I still want FB [Facebook]. Must be FB poison. Haha."

Soon after, the woman's family reported her suicide to the authorities, but were unaware of her online conversations regarding her plans to kill herself. Apparently, Lin was distraught that her boyfriend was not on speaking terms with her and failed to visit with her on her birthday.  

Chai Ben-rei, a sociologist at Taiwan's Feng Chia University, said the incident reflected social isolation in the Age of the Internet, where many people view real life events playing out as a game or a form of entertainment for the masses.

"People may have doubts about what they see on the internet because of its virtual nature, and fail to take action on it," he said.

We Wish You Peace, Love & Soul: Soul Train Host Don Cornelius Dead in Apparent Suicide

Don Cornelius, the always suave creator and host of the classic syndicated dance and music series Soul Train, has been found dead in an apparent suicide. He was 75-years-old. According to the Los Angeles Times, police officers responded to a call at Cornelius' Sherman Oaks home where they found him on the floor with a gunshot wound to his head. He was then rushed to Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, where he was later pronounced dead. Police say no signs of foul play were discovered at the scene.

The dapper gentleman with the silky smooth voice was the host for Soul Train from its debut in 1971 through 1993. The show would continue in a syndicated format until 2006 with a variety of other hosts, making it the longest-running syndicated series in television history. The show  was initially seen as a more African-American and urban version of the hit dance and music series American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark. The series became a popular showcase for up and coming soul, R&B, funk as well as rap and Hip Hop talent over the years, with countless artists making their debut appearances performing on the show.

Many of Cornelius' friends expressed great shock at his death. Music legend Quincy Jones said,  "I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius. Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius."

Political activist Al Sharpton  said, "He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level. Had it not been for Don Cornelius we would not have ever transcended from the "Chitlin" circuit to become mainstream cultural trendsetters."

 Cornelius is survived by his two sons, Anthony and Raymond.