Woman Shoots Herself in North Side Apartment

By Lookout Staff

January 25 -- A 55-year-old Santa Monica woman was found dead in her north side apartment Sunday morning after apparently shooting herself in the head, police said.

The victim, who lived in a rent-controlled unit on the 1100 block of 17th street, had suffered from depression and had sometimes talked of committing suicide, according to the County Coroner's office.

She did not leave behind a note, said David Campbell, the coroner's spokesman.

"She had discussed and talked about suicide," Campbell said. "She was suffering from depression over problems at work."

A family member discovered the body at around 11:30 a.m. and called 9/11, according to the coroner’s office.

“We don’t know when she shot herself,” Campbell said. “It was a gunshot wound to the head.”

Campbell said there has been an increase in the number of women killing themselves using violent means, such as guns.

“Historically, women resorted to less violent forms of suicide,” such as overdosing on drugs, Campbell said.