"Virginia political figure was stabbed by son, authorities say" by Trip Gabriel | New York Times, November 20, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — R. Creigh Deeds, a leading Virginia political figure who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2009, was stabbed repeatedly Tuesday at his home during an altercation with his son, who then died of a gunshot wound, authorities said.
Investigators believe that Deeds’s son, Gus, 24, stabbed his father before taking his own life. A spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police, Corinne Geller, described the episode as “an attempted murder-suicide.”
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Citing state law prohibiting disclosure of mental health information, Geller would not confirm or deny reports that Gus Deeds had undergone a psychiatric evaluation Monday under an emergency order but had been released when there were no clinic beds available.
Deeds won the Democratic primary for governor in 2009, but was defeated in the general election by Bob McDonnell.
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"Stabbed Va. state senator out of hospital" Associated Press, November 23, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A Virginia state senator and onetime gubernatorial candidate stabbed by his son said Friday that he is ‘‘alive so must live,’’ his first public statement since the assault and his son’s suicide shortly thereafter.
Just hours after being released from a hospital, Senator Creigh Deeds said in a tweet: ‘‘I am alive so must live. Some wounds won’t heal. Your prayers and your friendship are important to me.’’
He does sound like he is thankful to be alive.
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State police investigators are still trying to understand what prompted the violent encounter between Deeds and his 24-year-old son, Gus.
Related: Search for answers in attack on Va. senator
According to media outlets, an emergency custody order was issued Monday for Gus Deeds, but he was released because mental health workers could not find him a psychiatric bed. Several hospitals have said they could have accommodated Deeds.
So which prescription pharmaceuticals was the kid on?
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Also see: Two Civil War museums in Va. plan to merge
