Suicide confirmed in Clayton death
Categories: City of Concord Headlines
Written By: Mayor Concord California
I heard it first over on Claycord then all over the local news stations and websites. Nick Devine was found dead in the street near Mt. Diablo Elementary School. First it was being investigated as a murder with unusual circumstances and now is being reported as a possible suicide. More information has been released throughout the day and soon all the information surrounding the possible suicide will eventually be brought to light. Initial thoughts of having a murderer running around Clayton didn’t sit well but as the day unfolded, the wounds look to be self inflicted and the back story to the man seems to show that he was mourning the loss of his 5 month old daughter in June. This really is a sad story and more information will be released soon.
Chief of Police Lawrence said there appears to be no evidence of foul play. He said Devine was visiting family in the area and had a history of mental illness. He was out walking near the school when he apparently inflicted lethal injuries to himself, the police chief said.
City Manager Gary Napper said he hopes the police chief’s statement will quell residents’ safety concerns.
Concord police and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the investigation. The last homicide in Clayton occurred in June 1995, involving a female victim at the Kirker Court Apartments, an assisted-living complex.
Update: Suicide was confimed.
You can see theway his friends and family think of him on the Guest Book – Nichloas Devine
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October 24th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Sad, sad story! I hope this man’s family can find some peace and comfort in this tragic time. I hope he’s in a better place. It’s too bad he thought this was his only way to deal with his problems. R.I.P.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Ya. This is really sad. How bad does it all have to seem for you to take your own life like that? Some people blow their heads off, others jump off a bridge, this guy killed himself in the middle of the street.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Are you trying to say that killing himself in the middle of the street makes it worse? Either way a person died and it appears to be a tragic story.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Well, you have to be pretty messed up to kill yourself in the street. That’s not normal, you have to admit.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I’m just saying that to kill yourself in the middle of the street shows how bad off this guy was. I don’t want to disrespect the dead. It’s sad and I wish this guy could have gotten some help.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Has anyone heard any more about this? The news seems to be silent.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Okay I dont know any of you people but i will tell you that my Fiance was Nick Devines best friend, and NONE of you knew Nick and knew the things that he has gone though. Yes he was messed up and needed extreme help. But to thoes of you who have said “killing yourself in the middle of the street is sick?” Well you wernt there you were not Nick and you dont know what could have gone though this head, a lot of people kill themselves in sick and sad ways and i dont appreacite how just anyone can write what they feel and say as the like about someone that they NEVER KNEW. And to thoes of you who are have supporting words to Nicks family and friends we appreciate all that you have to say. Its a sad way for us to have all lost Nick but he was loved by everyone he knew though we all wished he could have gotten better help! Nick we love and miss you!
October 24th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Just to clarify something for people that may read this post and comments. I believe that most people see this as a tragic and horrible end to a life that was in need of help. I don’t know anyone that has committed suicide but have known people that have tried or been on the brink of it. Life should be treated respectfully and though you are free to express your questions and opinions, keep them clean.
I want this blog to allow for comments as long as they are not racist or hateful. If comments are found to fall into one of these categories, it will be removed. repeat offenders will have their IP banned.
Concord Blogger’s last blog post..Concord High School Homecoming Game
October 25th, 2008 at 12:08 am
When I was llisting to the report on the news regarding a young man in his 20’s was found in Clayton my heart just stoped .As a mom to hear of a young man in this 20’s took his own life it could have been any ones child. My prayers are with Nicks family. As sad as this may be I pray your family pulls together for one another in your time of need.
October 26th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I am so sorry for the family and friends of Nick. I had a son who wished to end his life after a traumatic event but thanks to God and intervention our story did not end this way but could have. I have known people who chose this way out and the grief and pain to the family is indescribable. I can not comprehend the depth of suffering and lonliness these people who attempt or succeed in killing themselves must feel but my heart breaks over this issue. What I find the most shocking is how quickly and almost universally people rush to judge the victim. Selfish, and crazy are the most common descriptions. It is disappointing to me that people do this. I guess everyone just wants to deny that it could happen to them or someone they know at any time. Maybe by labling it they will be able to distance themselves from it and will feel safe. Whatever the reason, only compassion and mercy should be extended to all parties involved. I will pray for comfort, support and healing to come into this tragic story and all like this. Be kind, everyone, it’s hard out there!!
October 27th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Nick was a troubled soul. With the loss of his daughter only 4 months earlier it was hard to see his pain. It was hard for all of us, I could only imagine how hurt he must have been.
I saw his pain, I thought I could do something but didnt know what.. We all feel for you Nick, Im sorry I couldnt do more for you. I hope you find your lovely baby Shelbey wherever you are. We will make sure Jessica is loved and taken care of, you can smile on that.
We love you man, sorry we couldnt have you around longer.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
BTW, I knew Nick very well. His reason for doing this in the street was because he was desperate. He wanted help with his pain, family and addiction couldnt help this was his last cry for help.
Had someone come along to find him before it was too late, he would have been forced into getting some help. People who do this type of thing in public are usually screaming inside for help.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child so young. From what I have seen here in the comments as well as around the web, Nick was well loved by his family and friends. Sad that life could end this way for anyone. I appreciate the comments.
Concord Blogger’s last blog post..Burglary and sleeping pills
October 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I am not having an easy time with this. The hard part is knowing that it was going to happen. How do you help someone in so much pain? I know I couldnt do much, thats the hardest part.
I just want to take the time to remind all of you that read this. Dont sit and let it happen!! If you see any friends or family members show signs that ring your intuitive bells, SAY SOMETHING!!!! I dont know that I would have changed anything, but if you have a hunch, get off your butt and do everything you can. You can do something, even if its just pestering enough to show you care and support them.
Jessica will miss Nick forever, we have to be there for her now. She is so young for all this to happen to her. As a family we need to focus on her, she needs us more than ever.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
This is for James Reedy, My husband was Nicks Uncle, when I read your blog I started to cry. When I was 22 My 23 year old brother who was also troubled killed himself. I knew he was troubled and in to drugs and I tried everything I could to help him. He knew I loved him and said he would accept the help from me, but he killed himself any way. I believe when you are in that state, anything anyone say’s or does will not help, I also tried to help my best friend (Also my brothers best friend) but he also killed himself. Just know that Nick knew you cared and wanted to help him. I believe when it comes down to it, they can only help themselves. You can not force someone to get help, and when they are in that stage, they do not believe they need help. Just know that it is not your fault, or anyones. I live with guilt for years, but I know my brother would not want me to, and Nick would not want you to,
November 5th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
To all od those who spoke words of love and compassion, hope and sadness…Thank you from the bottom of MY heart. Know this! Nick was a beautiful son, compassionate, loving, caring of others and full of dispare and pain from the loss of his daughter. I as his Mother and we his family ALL tried to help him, counseling, dr’s and most important i spent everyday with him LOVING him and doing EVERYTHING in my power to help him throught this. Let me tell you, sometimes love from others and help is not enough, it is obvious his love for his daughter and his pain inside of his loss was greater than everything else. He did give his life to Christ at age 14 and he IS with “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. and there is NO MORE anguise or torment for my son, praise God. For those who pass judgment just know this “FOR EVERY JUDGMENT YOU MAKE IN LIFE AGAINST ANOTHER HUMAN BEING THERE IS A SENTENCE COMING BACK TO YOU. Be careful about what you say, and know that unless it is a word of encouragement or love for us not just Jessica, but for all of us Nicks Father and me his Mother will ALWAYS grieve for our son…forevermore. We have lost our son, flesh and blood and i can only say and pray that When the time comes of incomprehensible grief for you in your life that you will know Gods mercy and love and that you will have learned a lesson or two about saying untrue, and disrespectful things about people who die in whatever fashion, knowing or not knowing the reason for it. Nick is my first born and he was a beautiful soul and now an Angel. Be kind, and give love away. When hope is gone in someones life there is nothing else left for that individual, period. My sons life was not in vain, we had him for 25 beautiful years and loved him unconditionally. His soul is at peace and he Is with God and his beautiful butterfly now. This is my hope and promise, I WILL SEE Him in Heaven someday, praise God and if you dont know who your Lord and Savior is maybe you could spend some time there searching for the answers to the questions in YOUR life and leave our family alone. God bless you all and thank you for your heartfelt words. Nicholas James Devine was and is forever in my heart a Beautiful, man and he has filled our lives and hearts with so much love, joy and amazing memeories. Godspeed to you all<
November 6th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family. I want to say that his memorial service was beautiful. It shows that there are many who loved him.
Feeling the Loss of Him by Raymond A. Foss
Standing, walking, coming through the line
greeting you, for a moment, sharing
but a snapshot, a burst, of what I was feeling,
so small compared to the enormity
the reality of your loss.
Feeling so small, standing in the line,
before I approached you.
Thinking of what his loss
means to me, to so many,
as written in the paper
Murmured in the court, on the phone
with out practitioners.
Reading so many stories,
so many telling words,
the lives he touched, changed
for the better, truly.
Of his help to me,
guidance and rebuttal,
chastised and cajoled
Feeling the loss of him
so acutely, still!
Im sorry but, You are our family too!. You gave us Nick, though the time may have been short, Its priceless. He was a good friend that I could count on when needed.
My prayers are with you Tina, and I thank you for being the one that gave so many of us Nicholas James Devine. He was a good man.
Shelbey Paige has her Daddy to hold her now. That for me is the sweetest thought I can have. I cant be selfish, she needed him more than all of us.
Someday dude, take care of Shelbey! The final days will come and we will all be together again rejoicing, our future will be together!
Though, Heaven is so far away!
January 9th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
[...] James Devine was found dead in Clayton Ca. back in October. It was a tragic story of a man living with the death of his baby and other [...]