On July 23, astronaut Charles E. Brady, 54, killed himself on Orca island off of North Carolina, where he resided with fiance Susan Oseth. The details of the death are unclear. In fact, in one obituary, Brady is described as having succumbed to a lengthy illness. However, according to more recent reports, Brady died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Says Deputy Ray Clever, "The call had come in for a verbal dispute, but [there were indications of] something more unusual." The officers searched the 58 square mile island and found him dead. No other details have been released.Brady was chosen to be an astronaut in 1992 and served on a 16 day Columbia mission, which set the record for longest shuttle time in space. According to the obituary, he returned "with a vivid memory of having seen rain forest devastation and damaged river systems, and a determination to do what he could to protect the earth."
-The Pilot: Astronaut Brady's Death Stuns Area
-FloridaToday: Astronaut Chuck Brady Dead
-eHam.net: Dr. Charles E. 'Chuck' Brady Jr, N4BQW, SK