Today’s latest suicide by a high level executive in corporate America has many of us thinking there’s simply nothing worth such a permanent and drastic measure.  Freddie Mac CFO David Kellerman was found this morning by his wife.  He hanged himself in the family basement.  Although it’s being investigated and there’s been no definitive reason - not that there ever is - released for his choice, neighbors and co-workers have told the media that work pressure and the stress over Freddie Mac’s financial problems was most likely the reason for his choice. 

As we know, Freddie Mac was taken over by the government late last year and since then, both Freddie Mac and its sister company, Fannie Mae, have battled the guidelines set forth by government regulations. 

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Executives insist the government is imposing too-strict guidelines and are desperately trying to meet those guidelines, but many say it’s not been an easy task. 

What makes this especially tragic is Kellerman wasn’t only not a target in the number of investigations that have been ongoing since the government bailout, but he was one of the good guys who not only refused to play fast and loose with the rules, but was actively working to turn things around.  He was reported as working long hours and standing up against those with less than noble intentions.  He surely missed out on a lot of family time, especially with his five year old daughter.  He was also a volunteer with the D.C. Coalition for the Homeless.  The executive director told the media today that Kellerman was nothing short of a compassionate, dedicated and committed man. 

So with one whose intentions were clearly on the up and up, you can’t help but wonder why suicide was his only option.  He’s left his wife to raise their child and a group of co-workers who will be reeling for quite some time and must now pick up the pieces of an already tattered company without their leader who had no patience for half-hearted attempts and under the table deals. 

This only reiterates what appears to be a new trend among high level executives at the helm of struggling companies.  There have been five suicides in the past six months of those who also believed as Kellerman - the only solution to some problems is permanent and unlike the recession and other financial ruin, it can’t be undone.

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