This is heartbreaking!
32-year-old writer Ned Vizzini died this past Thursday on December 19th at the age of 32 in Brooklyn, New York.
According to his father, the author took his own life. His brother told reporters that he jumped off the roof of the building where his parents lived.
Mr. Vizzini had written a number of YA novels that have dealt with depression, social anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.
One of his most successful books was It├óΓé¼Γäós Kind of a Funny Story which dealt with a high school student whose demanding parents and the pressures of school help propel him into a psychiatric hospital. The story was based on the author’s own life after he began having suicidal thoughts while struggling to write a novel.
The book ended up being a huge success and was made into a feature film. Mr. Vizzini also began speaking with young people across the country about how writing can help ease depression.
Mr. Vizzini also had writing credits on the television shows Teen Wolf, Last Resort, and Believe.
Mr. Vizzini is survived by many members of his family including his wife Sabra and his son Felix. The YA novel had tweeted an adorable picture of his son only a month before his demise.
Here’s what he wrote:
My son found a new way to travel this past weekend! pic.twitter.com/OIe7RxEhc6
— Ned Vizzini (@ned_vizzini) November 13, 2013
Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. He will be truly missed.
RIP Mr. Vizzini.
[Image via Twitter.]