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LEGASOV’S SUICIDE
DATE OF DEATH : 27 April 1988
CAUSED OF DEATH : Suicide by hanging
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LOCATION : Moscow, Soviet Union
BURIAL SITE : Novodevichy Cemeter, Moscow
Valery Legasov’s death occurred on April 26, 1988, exactly two years after the Chernobyl disaster and one day before he was due to release the outcomes of the investigation of the causes of the disaster. The official cause of death was suicide by hanging and was found dead in his apartment in Moscow.
It is widely believed that Legasov’s decision to end his life was influenced by a combination of personal and professional factors. The immense emotional toll of dealing with the Chernobyl disaster, along with the frustration of not being able to fully address the systemic issues and safety concerns, likely contributed to his state of mind.
Legasov’s attempts to raise concerns about the design flaws and safety shortcomings of RBMK reactors were met with resistance and silenced from the Soviet authorities may have added to his feelings of helplessness and despair. As a result, he lost hope in his own government and his work once he was deeply committed to it.
