This study explored whether 36 statements about suicide derived by Leenaars from various theories of suicide could satisfactorily describe the lives of 30 famous suicides previously examined by Lester (1994). Results indicate that Leenaars’ proposal for the 8 core elements of the suicidal state of mind can be measured from summary case studies as well as suicide notes. Further, this analysis identified significant associations between Leenaars’ core elements & the age of the suicides. (2 refs.)