This study analyzes coverage by newspapers, network television news, & newsweekly magazines of mass killings that occurred between 1976 & 1996. The characteristics of widely publicized mass killings are identified, & the motives for such overemphasis by the media are explored. With regards to mass homicides followed by suicides, the author found that even though most mass murders are not followed by suicide, mass murderers are far more likely than other homicide offenders to die by suicide at the conclusion of the homicidal event. (68 refs)