Mel Turpin Commits Suicide At Home in Lexington Kentucky

by Amy Judd | July 9, 2010 at 07:47 am

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Mel Turpin, Former Basketball Player, Commits Suicide at the Age of 49

A coroner has ruled the Mel Turpin died after a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The former basketball player took his life at the age of 49 at his home in Lexington Kentucky. It is not known why Turpin committed suicide or if he left a suicide note.

Turpin was drafted by the Washington Bullets in the 1984 NBA draft and was then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers (who have just lost LeBron James).

He played professional basketball for five seasons but struggled with weight gain, injuries and earned the nickname 'Dinner Bell Mel' and 'The Mealman'.

Turpin was considered one of the biggest busts in a draft class that included future greats such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton.