Thaindian News

By Ranjan Bhaduri
Lexington, July 9, (THAINDIAN NEWS) In a shocking development the former NBA veteran Mel Turpin has taken his life in Lexington. The player was 49. It is not known whether he left a suicide note. Margaret Burrus his sister said that his late brother was diabetic and he was fighting the ailment. She said that she had no idea if her brother was going through depression or anything like that. The authorities reported that when he committed suicide his spouse was not present at the house. He was picked up in the 1984 NBA draft which also had stalwart players like Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. At first, he was selected by Washington Bullets and late the team traded him to Cleveland Cavaliers.

The cops said that they received a personal injury call from his house. When he arrived at his house, they found his dead body. The news has created sensation in the NBA community. Coroner Gary Ginn said that it was confirmed that Mel Turpin had committed suicide but he would not say anything more on it. The much acclaimed basketball player used to be an All-Southeastern Conference player and was in the Wildcats from 1980 to 1984.

Mel Turpin performed his career best in the 1985-86 season. In his long career, he also played for teams like Utah Jazz. Amanda McFadden who is a neighbor of the player told the cops that for a few days the player seemed somewhat down. It was supposedly quite contrary to his nature. He was employed with University of Kentucky Hospital lately. Joe B. Hall who used to be his coach said that the news of his death has come as a shock to him.