Enron Toll Widens with Death of Former Executive

Reuters ^ | 1/25/02 | C. Bryson Hull

[hopespringseternal]

Sounds like he was hit.

If the article is correct that he left last April because of the shenanigans, then there doesn't seem to be much reason for him to off himself now. However, he probably would know enough to get people in trouble.

[ex-Texan]

Baxter was a 'whistleblower' who resigned in protest over illegal Enron shenangans. He was a key witness and knew a lot about insider conduct.

How odd that he would be the one to 'kill himself' .... he was not facing prosecution. In fact, it is highly likely that he would have been a witness for the prosecution.

I am not convinced this is a 'suicide.'

[Registered]

My gut tells me there is something wayyyy more sinister at work here.

[Registered]

Lay resigns, Baxter bites the bullet. Hmmm.

[longleaf]

I've never aspired to a career in the highest levels of corporate America. One reason is I don't like urban areas and moving around a lot. But another reason is I've always suspected it's a lot like the Mafia in terms of the corruption involved. This seems to confirm that.

[CdMGuy]

Sounds like the wrong guy committed suicide. Vince Foster No. 2

[74dodgedart]

.... he was not facing prosecution. Yet....

Just because he resigned his position doesn't mean that he wasn't guilty of something.

[ladyjane]

So what would life insurance cost these days for a 45 year old, non-smoking, former executive of Enron?

[Republic]

...However, he probably would know enough to get people in trouble.

Indeed. Apparently he showed signs of conscience early on and later quit, was asked to leave or some kind of mutual agreement was established after the tiff in the executive offices. Whatever.....who shoots themselves on a median strip near home? We know of a certain person who has many, many suicides of associates stinking up his closet, and we know someone who dealt with Enron closely. And we know of someone who's MO fits this scenario exactly.

If there is any chance that this was murder, I hope that the culprit is found big time. There is really something wrong with this....really wrong.

[AAABEST]

killed himself with a gunshot to the head, police in Sugar Land, Texas, an affluent Houston suburb, said.

That's either sloppy police work or very poor choice of words. Or maybe he was misquoted.

I'm not saying the guy killed himself, but they shouldn't put out statements like that before they put all the pieces together. Especially in a case where there would be motive to off him.

[cricket]

"Sounds like he was hit."

He left a note; sounds like he depressed and could not handle the scandal and it's consequences.

Sad; does not mention anything re his family; but no doubt, leaves one behind.

[Republic]

I am not convinced this is a 'suicide.'

This one really stinks. I am convinced this was NOT SUICIDE.

[Republic]

VInce Foster left a note, too. It was torn to shreds however (is that strange, or what?) and his signature never was found.

[maxwellp]

I think we should be told what the "suicide" note said. It could hold the key to what happened to Enron.

[Billy_bob_bob]

I can tell you, as someone who has been around the block a time or two, that you are dead on in your suspicions. I finally turned my back on all of it, just couldn't take any more.

[Romulus]

He probably was guilty of some crimes. Maybe he could have received immunity in exchange for his testimony. Maybe he felt guilty about that prospect, hating the idea of testifying against his friends, who'd been enriched largely through his cooperation. Maybe he thought this was the best way out.

It's a shame.

[Sender]

My gut tells me there is something wayyyy more sinister at work here.

My gut tells me that it involves the 800+ offshore money holes such as "LJM" and "RAPTOR". When these huge sums of money get hidden, laundered and disappeared, there has got to be underworld involvement who do not want to be named in court. International underworld.

Of course, the left sees everything as pointing to Bush. They even are saying that Bush had him taken out. They are as bitter and delusional as ever. If anything, the big money mafia/drug/union bosses (sometimes called Democrats) would want this guy taken out.

[verboten]

I've always suspected it's a lot like the Mafia in terms of the corruption involved.

Every organization with alot of power is like the mafia, including government. Powerful organizations attract ambitious men of little principle who will use force to maintain their power. All organizations are truly run by a select few at the top. One could even consider the 5 families getting together to be like any other trade organization or the UN. The mafia just gets a bad rap because it competes with government and tends to specialize in making money on the things the government makes illicit. Over time the mob has moved into 'legitimate' commerce in about the same proportion that our government has moved into illegitimate money making schemes.

[SauronOfMordor]

He left a note; sounds like he depressed and could not handle the scandal and it's consequences.

If I wanted to off somebody whose murder could trigger inconvenient investigations, I would tell the victim: "You have a choice. You either write a nice suicide note and get a relatively painless bullet to the head, or I can just run you feet-first thru a wood-chipper. Your choice"

Which would you choose?