Budd Dwyer Suicide Video Exposed

Back on January 22 1987, Budd Dwyer had committed suicide and took his life right in front of the camera. He was convicted of bribery and was to be sentenced to 55 years in prison in 1986. 

Just the day before his sentencing, the politician killed himself on January 22. It has been 35 years since the incident took place. 

On that day, Dwyer was in the middle of a news conference when he pulled out a .357 revolver from an envelope and took his life in front of the cameras.

He was seen handing out envelopes to staffers before he killed himself. It was later found out that one of the envelopes had a suicide note for his wife. Another had a signed organ donor card.

Why Did Budd Dwyer Commit Suicide On Live TV?

Budd Dwyer had committed suicide live on TV on January 22, 1987. 

He took out a manilla envelope with a model 19 .375 Magnum revolver. The crowd thought that Budd was going to shoot them. However, he backed up against the wall and held the weapon close to his body. 

The politician calmly said to the audience that leaving the incident’s room would affect them. Some people left the room to call for help. Some stayed and pleaded with Dwyer to surrender the gun, while others tried to approach him and seize the weapon.

Seconds later, Budd quickly fired one shot through the roof of his mouth and into his brain. He collapsed on the floor and died. 5 news cameras recorded the incident. 

Moreover, one of the cameras remained focused on Dwyer and thus captured close-up footage of the aftermath of the shooting; his body slumped, and blood streamed from the exit wound in the back of his head and from his nostrils mouth.

What Happened To Budd Dwyer?

After shooting himself, Budd Dwyer was rushed to the hospital. He died instantly of gunshot shortly before 11:00 a.m. However, he was not pronounced dead until 11:31 a.m. 

It was later reported that Budd’s corneas were made available for transplant per his organ donation wishes. 

Sadly, no other organs were usable when his body reached a hospital.