This article presents a biography of Nick Traina, son of Danielle Steele. It includes a discussion of his family relations, substance abuse problems, treatment for mental illness & eventual suicide. The author discusses the assertion made by Steele that her son’s illness was genetically inherited from her father. An alternative explanation based on psychodynamic theory is offered. There is also a comment on the use & reliability of parental accounts in the analysis of completed suicide. (1 ref) (SC)