Suffering claims another life of someone that I love

Suffering has killed another one of my loved ones. Specifically what form that suffering took is irrelevant.

Yesterday my day started with a call to the medical examiner’s office. Where I found my friend Monty, who had been missing since early October. . Our last video visit, September 13th,  he said, “If I died in my apartment, no one would even find my body.”

“Monty, text me your new address please.”

“OK, I will.”

He never did. When I called the Seattle PD to do a welfare check in early October, I gave them the old address and told them the apartments had moved him units due to renovations, but explained he was still at the same complex and they just need to figure out which unit. Instead, the responding officer left a voicemail saying I’d given them the wrong address because that whole building is closed for renovations. Yeah, no shit.

He’d been dead for 3 weeks at that point. He wasn’t found for three more weeks.

I called the VA to notify them of his death and get the information on his burial benefits, they hadn’t been notified of his death. Meaning his family hadn’t arranged his military plot. I called the medical examiner back and got him to give my number to Monty’s family. Monty’s sister and brother-in-law called me, and I had a tough conversation with total strangers about levels of decomposition and cremation costs.

I got home and called the medical examiner again, who said they would hold the body indefinitely. I can’t go up there to handle the affairs because I’m on house arrest. I went to CrossFit instead of moping around in depression. On the rower, I repeated the mantra I will not die young like them. Like all the people I loved that died young. Not me. In January, if not sooner, I’ll drive to Seattle and ensure my friend gets the respect he deserves.

I’m filing a complaint with Seattle PD for how they handled the welfare check. It makes me feel better to do something.

Monty could never find peace on Earth. He’s still now. He is not forgotten.

Monty and I at the

Oregon Zoo.

July 19th, 2018.

This man was the best friend I could have ever asked for. Three and a half years of jail and prison, and he was always there for me.