Writer-Director Fred Caruso Takes Own Life, Posts Goodbye to Facebook

Fred Caruso, writer and director of the film, The Big Gay Musical and producer of the Off-Broadway musical comedy, Newsical has died at 41 in an apparent suicide. Rick Crom, a friend of Caruso, posted to Facebook on Tuesday notifying others of Caruso's death.

Before his death, it appears that Caruso wrote a letter and scheduled it to go live on The Big Gay Musical Facebook page.

Insisting that there's nothing anyone could have done, Caruso explained that he'd been dealing with emotional struggles for a while which he tried to deal with. He asked that instead of memorializing him, people make donations to The Trevor Project. But if they need closure, they can "put on a little Liza and have a cocktail."

Although it's incredibly heartbreaking to see an artist like him go, he touched many lives and will be fondly remembered.

UPDATE: Facebook is making their suicide prevention resources available worldwide. Users will be able to flag a friend's post from a drop-down menu if it appears that they're contemplating self-harm or suicide. Facebook provides resources including phone numbers and suicide prevention organizations but warns that if someone is at immediate risk, you should contact the police.