NHL legend Claude Lemieux wrote several "heartfelt" notes to family members in his phone's notes app shortly before his death by suicide on May 28, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office incident report. Lemieux died by suicide at his family’s home-design business in Lake Park, Florida.
Before his passing, Lemieux left a post-it note on his phone with instructions on how to access the messages. The note, written in black marker, read: “look inside phone notes 1965.” Investigators found multiple individualized notes described as "heartfelt in nature" and "consistent with that of a suicide note," reflecting sorrow for his decision.
In the hours leading up to his death, Lemieux had been confronted by his wife, Deborah, about a potential relapse after years of sobriety. Upon confirming the relapse, Deborah asked him to leave the residence. Lemieux's son, Brendan, was informed of the conversation and went to check on his father at the family's business after learning of his father's location. Brendan discovered Lemieux in the back of the building and called 911.
Authorities also found an open bag of "bedtime gummies" near Lemieux's body. However, the toxicology report listed his results as "negative" for all analytes. Lemieux, 60, played for several NHL teams between 1983 and 2009, including the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils. He won four Stanley Cups and one Conn Smythe Trophy during his career.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.