Las Vegas, Nevada (February 27, 2011)–Erica Blasberg had lived in Las Vegas for several years, becoming involved in the community by playing golf at Southern Highlands Golf Club, helping junior golf when she could, and attending other high profile Las Vegas golf events. On May 9, 2010, she committed suicide at her home in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. Now, ESPN's award-winning Outside the Lines has revealed new details about her life and death, including how she had been battling personal demons for several years. —By Brian Hurlburt.
Colleen Dominguez reported the story that aired this morning, Sunday, February 27, 2011, and she spoke with Blasberg's father, Mel, and introduced Blasberg's suicide note, the first time the 3-page, hand-written note had been made public. Also revealed were notes and audio from police interviews that included a conversation with LPGA Tour golfer Irene Cho. Cho lived with Erica and had found a different suicide note months earlier but didn't confront Blasberg about it, telling the police that she "didn't want to lost Erica's trust." Click now to view the report.
Also mentioned was an affair Blasberg had with a married man who was twice her age. the man identified declined to be interviewed for the report as did Dr. Thomas Hess, the man who found Erica's body. Hess was later charged with a misdemeanor obstruction when it was determined he tampered with the scene, leading to much speculation. He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and a year of probation.
Blasberg, while troubled, was still beloved by those who knew her, including the staff and members of Southern Highlands Golf Club and those who worked closely to Erica. "Erica was a very important part of the Southern Highlands family," said Jay Beckman, Director of Golf, the day after her death. "Not only was she a great person but she was a great golfer, and she will be deeply missed."
"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Erica Blasberg," said her agent, Chase Callahan, in a statement immediately following her death. "To most of the world, Erica was known as a professional golfer, but she was more than that. She was a loving daughter to her parents and a compassionate and loyal friend. Erica had a good heart, was extremely kind and very thankful for what she had in her life. She lived out her dream of playing professional golf on the highest level on the LPGA Tour, allowing her to help inspire others. We are proud of Erica for everything she accomplished. This is a painful loss, we feel it in our hearts and we will miss her. Erica would want those close to her to celebrate the life she lived. We ask that you keep Erica and her family in your prayers."