UPDATE: 5/29/10
GREENWICH SECRETS IS NOT BASED AROUND THE CHRIS CORNA CASE. GREENWICH SECRETS IS A NOVEL.
Update: 12/18/09
Ethan Michael Topper, the 45-year-old fiancé of Greenwich resident Lisette Coen was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI last weekend.
According to California Highway Patrol, Topper was driving his Porsche along Howell Mountain Road in Napa Valley when he was involved in a single vehicle accident.
When officers arrived at the scene they found the expensive sports car unoccupied.
Later, Topper and his female companion, who is alleged to have been Coen, arrived at Helena Hospital around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday where Coen was treated and released and Topper was arrested.
It is believed that the couple was returning home after celebrating their upcoming nuptials with friends.
It is also rumored that Topper recently purchased this house for Coen, whose fiancé Chris Corna died earlier this year.
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10/15/09
Less than a year after her fiancé’s death, it is rumored that Lisette Coen is now engaged.
Update: 9/03/09
Below is a copy of the police report of Chris’ accident. The investigation into Chris’ death is closed and the cause of death is suicide.
Page 2 paragraph 4 says: At 0428 hours and 45 seconds, Porchester Headquarters camera taped a vehicle that was unable to be identified south on N. Main street in the northbound traffic lane. At 0432 hours and 41 seconds surveillance tape from HQ shows a vehicle which is also unable to be ID south in the southbound lane of N Main Street
The responding officer was dispatched to Main Street at 0435 where he found Chris dead in his rented card.
Page 2 paragraph 5 says: At 0645 hours, the responding officer was advised that state police received a 911 call from Christian Corna from his cell phone and Chris stated to the state police dispatcher that he was involved in a car accident.
At 0645, the officer called Chris’ cell phone to see if he could hear the phone ringing at the scene but he was unsuccessful in locating the phone.
At 0708 hours an officers trying to locate Chris’ cell phone again called his number and they were unable to locate the phone.
Questions:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>1- Why would Chris call 911 to report the accident if he wanted to commit suicide?<!–[endif]–>
<!–[if !supportLists]–>2- Responding officer said that Chris was in the southbound lane, which means that the car in the surveillance camera at 0432 was Chris’, why would he call 911 (3) minutes before the responding officer arrived to report the accident and not tell them he had just stabbed himself.<!–[endif]–>
Chris’ “accident” took place within yards of the police station, was Chris trying to find the police station?
There are still too many unanswered questions.
CLICK ON POLICE REPORT TO ENLARGE
Update: 8/8/09
I have received emails from many of you asking for an update on Chris’ death. I am working on getting the police report and once I receive it I will post it on the blog.
I spoke with the DA’s office and they still do not have the case, and after speaking with some law enforcement officers it sounds like they are going to rule Chris’ death as a suicide. This is very unfortunate because in my opinion I believe Chris was murdered.
I have received many emails from people in Ohio and Colorado and it is obvious to me that Chris was loved by many people and he touched many lives and I do not know who or why anyone would want to kill him.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CHRIS CORNA COMMITTED SUICIDE!
Update: 6/3/09
Although New York police are still investigating the death of Chris Corna, friends and colleagues of the former owner of the Slopeside Grill attended a forum about suicide, grief and death last night in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide held a panel discussion at the Steamboat Springs Community Center to help the small Colorado community deal with the death of loved ones, especially the recent death of Chris Corna.
REPS coordinator Ronna Autrey said the group had no way of knowing if Corna’s death was a suicide, but the tragedy presented an opportunity to address the issue in Steamboat Springs.
Corna died in New York hours after his fiancée, Lisette Coen, allegedly ended their relationship after finding out he was dating a 19-year-old woman in Colorado.
Update: 5/28/09
More than 9 days after his death and six days after the Westchester medical examiner ruled it a suicide, Portchester, New York detectives are still conducting an investigation into what really happened on the morning of May 18, when Steamboat Springs, Colorado resident, Chris Corna, was found dead in a rented car with stab wounds to the throat.
Friends of Corna’s in Colorado and Ohio are still questioning New York authorities about what really happened in the early hours of May 18.
Westchester County Deputy Medical Examiner, Alexander Milovanovic, said an autopsy revealed that Corna stabbed himself in the neck, severing his carotid artery, yet six days after that ruling, the Portchester police are still conducting an investigation.
Greenwich Diva spoke with a Portchester detective this morning so said the investigation is “still ongoing,” however, the Westchester’s DA’s office have yet to receive the case.
Corna came to Greenwich in early May to meet the family of his girlfriend, Lisette Coen, who he had just proposed to a few days prior to his death.
It is alleged that moments before he died, Corna exchanged text messages with Coen and friends in Colorado.
Authorities said that Corna’s fingerprints were found on his cell phone.
Update: 5/25/09
Hundreds of friends and family members gathered in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, yesterday for a memorial service for Chris Corna, the Steamboat Pilot reported.
Organizer of the memorial service Lindsey Grannis, met Corna in 1993 when he arrived in Steamboat Spring and she hired him as a waiter at the then Time Out Sports Bar and Grill, which later became Slopeside Grill.
According to the newspaper, Grannis told the crowd how she later ended up working for Corna after he purchased the establishment.
“He was sitting on the deck, and I pulled him aside and I said, ‘Would you like to be my assistant manager for the upcoming winter?’ He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Lindsey, don’t tell anyone yet, but I just bought the place, will you be my manager?’”
College friend, Aaron Youngdahl, spoke about a basketball game between Florida University and Kansas he attended with Corna, who was a University of Florida Gators fan.
He said Corna was not pleased with star center, Joakim Noah, non-participation in the game so he “stood up in a relatively quiet auditorium and shouted, ‘Get in the huddle, Noah,’ and Youngdahl told the crowd that had gathered between the Slopeside Grill and the snowboarding mountain, how Noah looked over at Coran, stood up and got in the huddle.
Greenwich Diva checked with the Portchester, New York, police this morning who confirmed that there is still an “ongoing investigation” into Corna’s death.
To read more on the service go to
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2009/may/24/corna_remembered_charming_generous/
Update:5/23/09
For the last 17 years, 45-year-old Christopher “Chris” Corna called the small city of Steamboat Springs, Colorado home.
He owned the Slopeside Grill in the small ski resort town and everyone who knew him loved him.
On Monday May 18, when family and friends in Colorado received word that Corna had committed suicide while visiting his fiancée, Lisette Coen, in Greenwich, Connecticut, they all asked the same question, “Why, why would a successful businessman who was full of life and energy and was loved by everyone who knew him take his own life?”
A few days prior to his death, Corna had proposed to Coen, a woman he grew up with in Ohio, but lost touch with over the years.
According to close friends of Coran’s in Colorado, he did not tell anyone he was planning to propose to the mother of four.
It is believed that on Sunday May 17, Coen found out the Corna had been seeing a 19-year-old woman from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and decided to break off their engagement.
According to sources close to Coen, after a fight on the night of Sunday May 17, Corna left Coen’s house, and a few minutes later he sent her several text messages and allegedly, the two made up.
It is believed that before returning to Coen’s house, Corna decided to make a quick stop at a grocery store in Portchester, New York, a small village next to Greenwich, to pick up some Krispy Kreme for Coen’s children, a routine he had gotten used to since arriving in Greenwich in early May.
Around 4:30a.m on Monday Portchester police responding to a car accident found Corna’s body, which had stab wounds to the throat and chest, in his rented Toyota car, along with the knife that was used to inflict the wounds.
In an interview with a Colorado newspaper on Tuesday, Coen said, “It’s beyond words,” he always told me he wanted to be my rock, and he was. He was the type of person you want your son to be like.”
On Thursday, the Westchester’s medical examiner confirmed that Corna’s death was a suicide, but family members and friends in the small ski town of about 9,815 people did not believe it.
On the day of the accident, Portchester police said that Corna suffered multiple stabbed wounds when they discovered the body, however, Westchester County Deputy Medical Examiner, Alexander Milovanovic, said that an autopsy revealed that Corna had one stabbed wound in his neck.
Greenwich Diva called the Portchester, New York Police Department for a comment for this story and we were told that there is still an “ongoing investigation” therefore they cannot discuss the subject.
On October 4, 2006, Lisette Coen filed for a divorce from her husband, John Coen, a powerful Hedge Fund manager, who, over the last several months allegedly turned to drinking for comfort.
In October 2008, he was arrested for “inappropriately touching” a female patronage at a Greenwich restaurant, and on April 14, he was arrested, again, at the Ginger Man restaurant also in Greenwich.
Friends of Lisette’s said ever since she told John she was leaving Greenwich and moving to Colorado to be with Chris, they fought every day.
Greenwich Diva has a few questions for the Portchester Police Department:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>1- <!–[endif]–>If this was ruled as a suicide by the medical examiner, why is the case still open?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>2- <!–[endif]–>Why did the initial report say that Corna had multiple stab wounds, yet the medical examiner said stab wound, is this based on sloppy police work or a cover-up?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>3- <!–[endif]–>Initial reports said Corna was also stabbed in the chest, yet the medical examiner did not address this?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>4- <!–[endif]–>Why would a very successful businessman, who did not drink, or do drugs, was not on medication and was not depressed, take his own life?
Was this really suicide, was it a hit, or was it a random act of violence?
Original Story April 14, 2009
Forty-four year old John Coen, from Greenwich, Connecticut, was arrested for assaulting two police officers who were attempting to escort him out of The Ginger Man restaurant.
Police were called to the local eatery last Friday night after Coen started insulting patrons, and harassing the bartender with racial slurs.
After officers told Coen he needed to leave the establishment, he became verbally abusive and lunged toward an officer “in a fighting manner,” the police report says.
The officers attempted to arrest Coen, and the drunken man went berserk and tried to grab one of the officer’s batons from his belt, causing two officers to pin him to the ground.
The police report says it took several jolts from a Taser to bring Coen under control.
Coen is charged with assaulting a police officer and breach of peace.
UPDATE: 5/20/09
A Greenwich Diva reader emailed me about the John Coen arrest at the Ginger Man restaurant I wrote about on April 14.
They wanted to know if the John Coen I wrote about in my post is the same John Coen who is about to be questioned in the death of a Steamboat, Colorado, man.
After doing some research this is what I came up with.
There is a John Coen whose wife, Lisette Coen, was about to marry Chris Corna from Steamboat, Colorado, and Chris was in Greenwich this week to meet Lisette’s family.
While he was in Greenwich, he was killed in an automobile accident on the Greenwich, Portchester state line, and although authorities are publicly calling it an accident, IT IS ALLEGED that authorities are going to change it to murder and it is also ALLEGED that John is going to be called in for questioning.
It is also ALLEGED that John was also arrested for sexual harassment in Oct. of last year.
It is possible that there could be two different John Coen’s with the same connections out there.
I just spoke with the Portchester police department and they had “no comment” since the case is still under investigation.
I will keep you posted.
Update: 5:43p.m Chris had stabbed wounds to his throat when he was found Monday morning around 4:30.
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133 users commented in " Did Chris Corna commit suicide or was he murdered? (UPDATE) "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI think that the Greenwich police may have pulled a Rodney King on John Coen. I’m an old friend of John’s and he is a man of good character. I find it hard to believe that John tried to take the police officer’s night stick and that he had to be tasered several times and beaten to the point that he is currently hospitlized to be restrained. I think your paper needs to do a follow up investigation and find out what really happened.
hmmmmmmmm…
I think this guy went berserk when he found out his ex wife was getting married and he was losing his 4 kids also. He then plotted to do away with the boyfriend/fiance — Chris Corna by arranging to have him wacked!
Starman, Chris’ death is a tragedy and we are all feeling an incredible loss. Please back off though, none of us know the facts. There is much that hasn’t been reported yet to the public. Let’s try to make it easier on his family and loved ones and all that he left behind by not making accusations and assumptions that we have no place making. GodSpeed to Chris.
I am a business owner in Steamboat Springs and today the town is in shock. You will not find a person in Steamboat who can even say that Chris had ever been angry or depressed. He loved what he did, he was always one to volunteer his restaurant or himself
Our local paper is horrible and I can not trust what they print anymore. Please keep us updated, there is very little other news sources to depend on.
I have been following all the facts as reported by both the eastern media and The Pilot. In my opinion, knowing that Chris had just proposed marriage and knowing there were knife injuries inflicted PRIOR TO the car crash, it is only logical that law enforcement must at this point have MUCH suspicion as to the validity of the suicide hypothesis. Whoever murdered Chris Corna, you will soon have your day in court.
Please keep this investigation going! The Steamboat Springs community does not believe it was a suicide. Chris loved and lived life to the fullest. Please KEEP this investigation going, he was murdered!
Steamboatkk, Boatlover and Bikerdude, I am with you 100%. This was not suicide, and the investigation needs to continue. We won’t shut up until we have justice.
I’m so sad.
Thank you Claudette Rothman for your willingness to update your previous article regarding John Coen. I think I speak for all when I say we do not seek to accuse an innocent person in Chris’s tragic death; we only request that the investigators do their job. There is absolutely NO WAY that Chris Corna committed suicide. This is CLEARLY a murder. The question is – when is somebody going to do something about it? It may have been a random act, rather than a personal one – but the truth must be discovered. Chris Corna deserves nothing less. His memory is as important as his legacy. He was THE BEST – now find out who hated him for that!
This is a nightmare. I can not believe that kind, friendly man is gone. No way Chris killed himself-he was killed! The Conn. police are dropping the ball and we need to keep up the pressure until they agree to really look at this crime.
Conn. police, please keep investigating this horrible crime! It is a murder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whenever Richard Cory went down town
We people on the pavement looked at him
He was a gentleman from sole to crown
Clean-favoured and imperially slim
And he was always quietly arrayed
And he was always human when he talked
But still he fluttered pulses when he said
“Good Morning!” and he glittered when he walked
And he was rich, yes, richer than a king
And admirably schooled in every grace
In fine – we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place
So on we worked and waited for the light
And went without the meat and cursed the bread
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet in his head
Broken Engagement….LIFE IS BIGGER THAN THAT
I feel terrible for all of Chris’ friends and family in Steamboat as well as the four children of Lisette and John Coen’s children. There is serious speculation that Chris and Lisette’s engagement was called off. A very STRANGE fact is that the Port Checter police dept is less than 110 yards away from the crash, not exactly the perfect place for a homicide. We need those text messages, please let the healing begin.
It is amazing how these blog/web sites try to trash peoples life’s . What is up with you people? I live in Portchester. Where this man decided to kill himself is exactly 100 yards away from the Police Station. What he did was so irresponsible not only to himself but he could have hurt many others.It is a sad event but a very narcissistic one at the same time. The only closure will come via a family statement and they are not talking like they were at the first of the week. I think Steam Dude said it best…..I will say those have been the rumors around my neck of the woods.
Concerned,
Maybe Chris was so close to the police station because he was trying to get help and didn’t quite make it.
Chris was anything but narcisstic. He would never, never do anything to hurt anybody. He would never do this to his mother and father.
There are far too many inconsistencies in this case to be so cut and dry and so fast to determine suicide.There needs to be more information to give us all closure. Maybe a few lie detector tests are in order, to help clear the air. We love you and will miss you always, Chris…You were such a Class Act
Why don’t you people claiming the engagement was called off read the articles in the Steamboat Pilot, where Lisette says she and her four children were SO HAPPY? Read the article!! She’s devastated. Says she is going to die from a broken heart – and her children are in mourning. Now because residents of the town where this happened are turning in this to something as simple as a broken engagement and calling him narcissistic?! You have no idea who you are talking about! He was the furthest thing from it. Didn’t have an arrogant or bad bone in his body. Chris had no problem with girls wanting to marry him (as if that is all that mattered in his huge, beautiful life). He would NEVER kill himself – especially over a woman. He knew life was far, far bigger than being rejected by one person … which he wasn’t. He was murdered – by one, two, three? Who knows how many – but he didn’t do it himself. He was murdered by somebody who didn’t like the fact that he had everything in the world to live for!
Listen ‘Concerned’ in Port Chester, NY– maybe you should be a little more concerned with your own saftey- being as a MURDER took place 110 yards from your police station and the guy responsible has not been caught because the people in your neck of the woods think it’s perfectly normal to TEXT while driving at 4AM (but not CALL- ANYONE and not leave ANY VOICEMAILS) on a MONDAY MORNING in a RANDOM town on the East Coast and then STAB yourself with a KNIFE that you remembered to take with you FOR ABSOLUTELY-NO REASON.
A suicide leaves behind a wake of immense sorrow, heartache, doubt, question and even full scale anger. So many lives are effected; family, friends, loved ones, colleagues and even little kids who have not yet learned the wicked ways of the world.
The accusation of murder is the harshest statement anyone can make to another and even under the cloak of anonymity a blog provides should NEVER be be stated without a full understanding of evidence and fact pointing to such a despicable act.
Serious news “Reporting” – if in fact is what this site professes to conduct – should be done in a responsible, thoughtful and honest manner. When highly damaging allegations are made they should be followed up and reported as untrue when in fact they are proven as such.
The tragic death of Chris Corna may never be fully understood. Questions will remain unanswered. There will be some who will never be satisfied with the most basic truths and never believe even the most fact filled conclusions. So be it. However, NONE of us has the right to spew unproven filth and salacious garbage designed to destroy the life of another – especially when we don’t even know them.
I did not know Chris Corna but through the outpouring of his friends and family I think I would have been very fortunate to have met him and most honored to be granted his friendship. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to all family and friends during this time of immeasurable grief and I hope the good Lord will watch over them in the difficult days ahead.
I do know John Coen (and Lisette Coen and their 4 children) and I know him to be sincere, kind, caring, loving, humorous and unselfish. Has John made some serious mistakes? ABSOLUTELY. Is John paying for his mistakes and moving on with his life? ABSOLUTELY. Is John Coen saddened by this whole terrible situation? ABSOLUTELY.
My heart is broken for the Coen children who have seen far too much in recent times and I pray every day that they and Lisette can carry on and find peace and normality. I hope people can speak about the qualities of Chris Corna on these blogs and leave others, including trained professionals in the criminal justice system, out of the fire until any and all facts are exposed.
In the wee hours of last Sunday night a sweet and kind man walked out of a beautiful house leaving a beautiful woman, four beautiful children and jumped into a rented car to drive out into a darkened and unfamiliar town and that in the end may be all there really is to know about this whole tragic affair.
Known facts: why did Lisette Coen type this on her Facebook page at midnight 4 hours before the accident? “i am firing myself…do not pass GO do not collect $200….don’t call us we’ll call you…you are fired.
May 17 at 12:28am, and why did she change her status from “in a relationship” to its complicated” 2 days before that? Something went down that last week he was alive.
I’m just curious as to why he would leave in the middle of the night and Lisette (fiance) didn’t know? Hmmmm???
Truthseeker ,
Buy a clue!!!!! Read the comments from Iamspirit,Bearski,Elbarracho on the Steamboat Pilot comment page. That is where you and the rest of you fucking yahoos should be focusing your energy. Your communities accusations towards my close friend John Coen is disgusting. We are all sorry your close friend killed himself. I think at this point and time You and Your whole community need to give yourselfs a break!!!!!!
GOD BLESS
One love, one heart, lets get together…this is about an amazing soul who was an angel here on earth. We need to celebrate Chris’ beautiful life and give respect to those who loved him by letting them grieve right now in peace. The person who did this will be brought to justice..whether it was random or not. This is not a man who would take his life – this is a man who inspired everyone around him to live life. This is a man who was an incredible friend to everyone around him, who brightened a room, who always had a smile on his face and a quick-witted remark to make everyone else smile, who had a tremendous respect for life and what it has to offer, an intelligent and wise man and someone whose love and friendship for his mother was unconditional and untouchable. This is a man who loved unconditionally, worked hard and rewarded those around him who worked hard, gave without expecting anything in return and lived life to its fullest. This is a man who deserves respect and deserves to be honored. This is a man who has over 2,000 people making the journey to pay their respects because that is how much he touched the lives of everyone he knew. Save your words and your speculations for another day…these days belong to his family and those who loved him. Whoever did this didn’t know what they were getting themselves into…this is a man who was loved deeply and who gave so much to others in need without asking anything in return…and now it is our turn to pay it back and raise our voices without anger and accusations in a call for justice…not out of anger, not out of vengence..but out of respect for Chris and all who have fallen, whose lives were “stolen” by lost souls embedded in darkness. This is a man whose light shines brighter than any darkness…you are no match for the light that Chris brought into everyone’s lives and you have nowhere to hide…the truth will find you…
Re: SadinDublin
I would blow my brains out too if I had to live in that shit town and watch that shitty OSU …… GO TROJANS
Steam Dude had the story of the end of the relationship. Why else does a guy do that ? She has a lot of questions to answer. She sure isnt doing interviews with papers out west like she was at the start of all of this. As whacked as him being out at 4:30 a.m. is the fact that she is on Facebook four hours before he is dead making whacky comments!!!!!!! Oh, by the way she changed her relationship status before he died. Does anyone find that strange for someone who is their Soulmate!!! Both these people are whacked they deserved each other, unfortunately, it sounds like 4 innocent children are left behind. I pray the Father is strong and able to pick up the damage that left by these people.
Thank you, thank you Greenwich Diva. Thank you for shedding some much needed light on the subject so that we can have some questions answered in lieu of a sloppy 48-hour speculation by these so-called papers printing “the news”. There are literally hundreds of people terribly saddened by the loss of this amazing soul and Chris deserves better than a “yup, thats what it was” when anyone who knew Chris knows that it is extremely difficult to believe that he would take his own life. Going for a ride after an fight, who hasn’t done that? Stopping for Krispy Kremes in the middle of the night for someone, yes thats Chris. What happened to him on the way home? Hopefully, we’ll know the truth so that his family can have some closure. A sad, sad ending to the life of a beautiful light.
Okay, lynch mob – why don’t you all just stop and be humane for a second? How will you feel after if this was a random act of violence? I don’t know Lisette or her ex-husband but stop – does the ex sound like a stable person? Not if you read all of the comments that follow his other arrests by people who obviously knew him and talk about his downward spiral – but that doesn’t make him a murderer? It makes him a fool who can’t quite get his shit together. Those of you who have never had a fight with someone you love and said stupid shit, cast the first stone. How cruel would it be if she has nothing to do with it and you’re ready to lynch her while she is mourning the senseless death of someone she loves. Can you all get a clue and stop the madness? We are all heartbroken and we all have questions but just stop…
If this is the case, have the police checked tapes from the small grocery store and questioned employees there at that time of the morning. Chris would be easily identified if he went to the store at those hours. Were there doughnuts in the car???
It just doesn’t make sense and we all need answers to be able to get closure with this.
I do believe that we need answers. Right now the family is dealing with the shock and gried of losing Chris. I heard from a very good source that the best course of action is for his friends and acquaintances in Steamboat need to put a petition together and contact their local politician to put some pressure on the police to pursue this investigation. It doesn’t make any sense at all. I don’t think that anyone should give up because it does seem very fishy that first there were multiple stab wounds and then just one. The stories have changed and we all owe it to Chris to find the truth – whatever that may be.
To all above….
There is so much here that you do not know… that the police are not making public as it is no one’s business but the familiy’s.
I don’t have a problem with people sincerely asking questions and voicing concern but when you start pointing fingers and demanding answers that are not yours to have… it is too much.
Somebody above is demanding the text messages, or inquiring about Lisette’s FB status… it’s crazy Don’t you think the police have all of this (and more)… they do… and it is why they have come to the conclusion they have. The family has the answer’s they need and share a history that you aren’t part of.
I knew Chris a long time ago. But I never forgot his sunny smile and generous attitude. He was a true gentleman. I would be suprised if he took his own life, but sometimes people have inner turmoil that they never show the world. I will think of him always as that sweet and kind blonde boy.
I just got home from the Memorial service here in Steamboat for Chris and there had to be 2 thousand people at least. What a heartwarming event that could only happen once in a lifetime for a once in a lifetime person.
Only knew Chris casually but wish there would have been more time to have known him better.
Such a big loss. This community won’t know another of his ilk for who knows, maybe a lifetime.
Did Lisette and children go to the ceremony in Steamboat?
Lisette and her mother attended the memorial, but her children remained home. The service was beautiful and we were all able to smile for the first time in days. Keep posting stories about Chris, keep begging the police to continue this investigation, and keep the faith. We want Chris to rest in peace, but I’m not sure that is possible until these suicide rumors cease. Chris was loved by soooooo many. He was the most selfless man alive. He would not commit any selfish act, much less this one.
What was the name of the song that Barb Corna selected to play for Chris’s memorial service…Was it a Barbara Steisand song about circus?Man…it was heart wrenching ! They are such a great loving family, It tore me up to see them mourn their only son
Definately murder. He was on his way to get help and crashed close to police station. There are many involved. Police, coroner were paid off. It is Greenwich: small town, big money. Remember the Martha Moxley murder? Chris texted someone else and told them before he died. It will come out. Beware killers. Keep after them Steamboat you are on the right track.
The words written by H.D.Mepham seem a little too scripted and well written… who are they trying to convince.
The last paragragh …”In the wee hours of last Sunday night this sweet and kind man walked….” H.D. Mepham states he/she didn’t know Chris, so why try to sell us on the suicide call with the kind, polite, poetic words in the closing paragragh.
But who’s really involved here, who’s been paid off in the department!? A Mafia hit! Someone didn’t want the kids out of CT.
The song was “You and Me Against The World”-Karen Carpenter. It was Wonderful! Everybody started crying, and spontaneously Hugging someone important to them. I think Chris would have been Happy to see that his Friends and Loved ones, Know in their Hearts the Truth, and Don’t believe the Cover-up. God Bless
Enough is enough…. some of your words and accusations are ignorant and hurtful. There is no cover up. The family and some of Chris’ close friends know this.
There are things here that people don’t know that are included in the investigation. Yes, there are a few more details, nothing earth shattering… but it is not a cover up…. it is Chris’ right to privacy. These details are for the family’s eyes only. Do you think Chris would want all of this splashed across the front pages just because you think you deserve something more than the family.
This is the hardest thing ever to accept and process. Of course it is easier to point fingers. We are all struggling and asking why. We all want Chris back. Let him rest in peace.
What’s wrong with u people ? Chris is gone to a much better place. Quit pointing ur fingers at people u don’t know.Has anybody out there seen any blogs from the family? NO, because they have the truth from the police.Unless u know everybody envolved ( police,coen’s and corna’s )shut the F-CK up!
What’s wrong with u people ? Chris is gone,GOD BLESS his family.Quit pointing ur fingers at people u don’t know.Has anybody out there seen any blogs from the family? NO, because they have the truth from the police.Unless u know everybody envolved ( police,coen’s and corna’s )shut the F-CK up!Let him rest in peace!!!
You do not have to be blood to be “family”. There were many in Steamboat that were his family. It is just shocking the number of people that won’t let this drop. It makes you wonder doesn’t it?
The only people that really matter here are Chris’ immediate family. They have had direct access to the investigation, the medical examination, the text messages and the fiancee’s accounting. If Chris’ immediate family is satisfied with the findings and conclusion, then so must we.
While Steamboat often exhibits a tendency toward narcissism and entitlement, the time has come to support Chris’ immediate family and not press for details that might well crush the “Chris” that we all knew and loved so dearly.
With that smile and persona, Chris placed an enormous burden upon himself to be selfless and always be there for others. Don’t now ask more of him, let him rest in peace and honor his family’s will and judgement during this difficult time.
Psychic –
No it doesn’t make me wonder. I completely understand why so many people are asking these questions… knowing who Chris was… it seems incomprehensible to all of us. But there is a difference between asking questions and spewing accusations.
All I am saying is to follow Chris’ family’s lead… let them lead the fight if they think there should be more investigating. Let them choose what should be made public or kept private as they know a lot more than you do. They are talking to police and investigators. They do not need further agony with all of these false accusations and rumors. You are trying to make up news.. “definitely murder, pay offs and many involved”… you don’t know what you are talking about… it is so disrespectful to all.
Thank you Taglet… beautiful.
aclosefriend,
Thanks for speaking out, this has been so surreal reading these insensative posts.
Some of us know more than whst was reported but are biting our lips out of respect for the family, friends and decency.
There is no cover up, just a sad ending to a storybook life.
Where did the knife come from? Did he take it from Lissette’s house or did he purchase it with the doughnuts or on the way to get the doughnuts?
Interesting that the ex would so willingly fight the officers that arrested him. Where I come from you fight with a cop they lock your ass up.. strange how he got right out of jail..
The ex seems to be pretty chummy with the cops..
End this charade!!!!!!!!! One is Dead, Killed himself….
The End……..
Too many unasnwered questions. Too many suupositions. We need to get the final report and then go from there. Msny things are not right and anyone who knows Chris, knows that he could not have done this. We cannot let this rest as time goes on. Shame on anyone who decides to just “move on”.
Margo and Jan are right! It makes no sense that his fiancee has an argument with the love of her life and then posts her status as; “It’s complicated” on her facebook page hours before his death! Chris was a kind, loving and wonderful man. People who really knew him from Ohio to Colorado can not allow this cover-up to be the last word. Chris’ family doesn’t believe it and neither do I. Margo and Jan need to tell us more!
I respect those who say to follow Chris’ family lead. I am a family friend of the Corna’s in Columbus.
However, I had a brother who committed suicide (in a very clear case) and it was very difficult to get info from the police. It took weeks just to get the suicide note he wrote to individual family members. It took months to get other personal items such as journals that were taken from the scene. The police we had to deal with were very uncooperative and uncaring.
The problem in this situation appears to be a lack of information. When there is a lack of info, people fill the void with their own answers. I haven’t heard any updates from the authorities that provide credible info that help us make sense of this tragedy.
Chris’ immediate family has the info from the police that include the answers to this puzzle. If you aren’t close enough to ask them yourselves then you need to be patient. The police haven’t even finished the entire investigation. There is no lack of information… just his parent’s wish to keep parts of this private. Baffled at how many people still feel the need to push beyond his parent’s wishes.
Taglet said it perfectly…
“While Steamboat often exhibits a tendency toward narcissism and entitlement, the time has come to support Chris’ immediate family and not press for details that might well crush the “Chris” that we all knew and loved so dearly.
With that smile and persona, Chris placed an enormous burden upon himself to be selfless and always be there for others. Don’t now ask more of him, let him rest in peace and honor his family’s will and judgement during this difficult time.”
hrtbrkninohio,
Just curious, are you speaking on behalf of the imediate family with your statement?
He whacked himself because he could not find a Tim Hortons!!!!!! Is that true?
I loved and still love Chris. I’m wondering if there were any signs of defensive wound on his arms? I’m sure there were many injuries from the accident, but a coroner would be able to differentiate between knife wounds and crash injuries,
/
Will everyone please leave his fiance alone. She discovered Chris was dating a 19 yr old waitress for the past year and I don’t blame her if she did call off the engagement! There is more to this story than any of you know. RIP Chris, thanks for the hospitality over the years! My heart goes out to his family, Lisette’s family, and the naive 19 yr old girlfriend.
RE: TopDawg
45 years of a great life , meets her and kills himself. There is more to this story.I wish she didnt feed the papers in Steamboat such crap. ” We were getting married this summer”,”Soulmate”,etc.We are still grieving about the suicide but here is the deal when you break off an engagement you are no longer a fiancee, you are a ex-fiancee. Kharma is a beyatch EX
Wow happyincali, your one heartless Trojan PRICK! You know nothing of our friend that has died. I can assure you, like the rest of us, you would have love him too. He was very kind and compassionate, you might have learn something. Chris we’ll fight for your justice.
Peace be with you.
I agree with Dayton. There is more to this story. Chris and Lisette just “hooked up” 3 MONTHS ago. If true, the 19-year old girlfriend doesn’t surprise me. The engagement does. May we all get closure some day.
Dayton –
FYI… even after everything this woman learned… she NEVER broke off the engagement! Not sure where you heard that from but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
More to this story can only be found by looking into Chris’ past… something all of us are trying to respect and keep private.
So, you obviously know nothing about his relationship and nothing about his past struggles… why are you negatively commenting?
Thank you Greenwich Diva! for having this forum for us that would like to have the truth out in the open for as long as it takes. I grew up in the Wetchester area, and the truth sometimes, is only what money says it is.
Re: Scioto, T-bone, and others(similar)…
I am sure when you die people will forget you within 30 seconds of your death; they will say,”Who is it?… I don’t know…Who really cares?…Get rid of the body, its in the way.”
Well, Chris is one of those rare people that his impact on people, and his good deeds for people will be felt for decades to come. He helped people buy a car, helped them buy their first home, he helped people out of their troubles in their lives; He opened up other peoples lives, so they would have more in their lives the rest of their lives. All of our lives are so short, so few of us take the opportunity to positively impact other peoples lives. Chris did more with his life than a thousand others could only dream of doing, if they had the opportunity.
we all think we may have known chris the best, but really none of us knew him. he was a secretive person who kept his personal life very private. know one knows what was going on in his life at the time this happened. he was a troubled man, but he was able to put a big smile on his face and cover it all up. i dont think we should be hostile or point fingers at anyone. if chris did commit suicide it should be made known and we should all try and accept that, however hard it may be. suicide awareness is a very important thing, especially in this valley, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. this is a good example of how suicide hurts everyone, and maybe seeing how chris’ death affected everyone will help save a life in the future.
aclosefriend
I know we all need to put this chapter to rest and move on……it’s just so hard to do without knowing the “why”. I mean if she NEVER called off the engagment, then WHY was he so distraught, it just doesn’t make sense. I do respect what you say and realize it’s nobody’s business but the family….It’s just so hard to have closure with so much speculation out there. So many people cared about him.
I never met Chris but always heard from friends what a great guy he was.
I wonder if Chris just couldn’t take the pressure anymore of being everybody’s “ROCK”.
The fact that the girlfriend of only 3 months is pregnant explains a lot …
HUH??
sbsgal, et al:
Lisette is pregnant … it explains the quick proposal and alleged summer wedding. Chris was a 45 year old bachelor who loved life, loved Steamboat, and was married to Slopeside Grill. He tried to do the ‘right thing’ but seemingly overnight, it all just became way too much for him.
want2bincolorado:
get a life and keep your bs postings in colorado where this community’s children and peers aren’t exposed.
so now lisette is pregnant,…is it chris’s??…sorry, still not the big ANSWER
preggers? naw. it seems she’s decided to end that relationship as well. twins I hear!
fedup: your comment is quite laughable as regards the peers. My heart does go out to her remaining children, though. Maybe your venom should be directed to her for any exposing.
thatswhatshesaid:
What a terrible thing to say on a blog! So personally invasive you disgust me. I’ll bet your own life is a complete and total mess. Who is up at 3:00a. during the week, writing such things. Get a job, get to bed and get a life!
Some of you people are just plan crazy. I live in Columbus and not all of us are OSU freaks. Besides Chris didn’t even live here his parents do. I remember him and his beautiful mom coming into where I worked in the early 80’s. I feel bad for boths his parents and god bless them and I don’t believe this is suicide. So everybody shut up and let the police do their job. If they even know how. Just look at how the police botched the John Bonnet Ramsey case. That poor mom went to her grave with everybody thinking the parents murdered her. Cops screwed up as usual.
thatswhatshesaid: Please – I know it may be difficult – but try to refrain from these unsubstantiated comments. You are making Chris’s friends look whacky to people who don’t know better. If you were a friend of Chris’s (which it does not appear you were), try to respect that he loved Lisette enough to propose to her. Stop talking trash about her until you know what you are talking about. If you ever have proof of these crazy things, you can speak all you wish. In the meantime, try to think what Chris would think of this behavior. I, too, believe there is something very fishy about Chris’s death; however, speculation should be put to rest. Let the police do their job, let Chris’s family and friends grieve, and let Chris rest in peace. Please. It’s not too much to ask.
I loved Chris the day I met him 28 years ago. I named my son Christian after him 15 years ago. The loss of my Chris is so devastating it is hard to believe. I would like the truth to be known but it will not lessen my pain living here without him in this world.
Why is this investigation taking so long? It seems if they had a cut and dry case , it would be closed by now. How long for toxology reports availble? I can not get Chris out of my head. It is just too crazy to fathom he killed himself. If we learned the truth once and for all , it would be easier to put behind and move on
UPDATE, PLEASE!!!!
fedup: I don’t post bs
thatswhatshesaid: Confirmed … she is no longer pregnant
sowrong: I agree (and tox results, etc. are definitely back by now)
WTF?????? …sadly, this cover story started out in it’s glory….now, not so much!….what is the outcome???
Did this case ever get closed?
Chris was an amazing, exceptional human being. His death has left all of us shattered, searching for questions that will never be answered. Those who know the truth please find comfort in this and keep him close to your heart. Those who do not, please let him rest in peace. He was so much to so many people. I can only imagine how those who were closest to him in his final hours feel. I miss you everyday big guy.
As a former friend and associate of Chris I was shocked as everyone else to read this. But there is an evil energy in that valley and I have seen it eat-up some of the greatest people’s minds and souls. So it wouldn’t surprise me if there was depression and suicide.
Steamboat is a aesthetically beautiful place but full of narcissistic, evil people and you can tell by the comments they leave.
I thank God everyday that I was able to get out. I don’t know what makes people think that because they live in natural beauty that makes them automatically beautiful. Horrible people that cause a lot of harm. Poor Chris, maybe they got to him. I feel bad but am never surprised when I hear yet another awful human disaster in that place.
Just sorry
wow! I’ve lived in the valley for 30 years, I believe there are angry and unhappy people everywhere, I have known more loving and warm people in this valley then I have met anywhere else, Chris being at the top of the list. The Yampa Valley does not make you mean, evil, narcissistic etc. that’s just in your blood, and remember most of those people came from somewhere else, just like Chris and myself. Rest in peace Chris, there are people all over the world that you have touched with your kindness and generosity and the ignorant opinions of the others just don’t matter. love you forever and we will take care of your mom
No offense Claudette, but you don’t have all the details, and you don’t really know what you are talking about. As tragic as it is, those of us who know the details of the case have no doubt whatsoever that it was a suicide. I’m sure you just want to help, but letting Chris’s loved ones think there is some big conspiracy going on really doesn’t help anyone. It’s time for everyone to accept what happened, mourn the loss of our wonderful, amazing friend, and try to move forward.
Since what Chris did to himself was an extremely public act, I don’t know why everyone who says that they “know” what happened doesn’t just come forward and put this all to rest.. What does it matter to keep it all so hush hush anyway?? He’s gone, and doesn’t care.. So why don’t you just spill it already?
I agree. Chris’ family was the town and customers of Steamboat.
In the last 17 years of his life he spent more time with them than any family member. That’s obvious. Why won’t the family just make a general public statement since they are satisfied with the autopsy and the text messages before his death and help his “real” family understand what happened and begin healing.
Then perhaps his death wouldn’t be in vane because it would speak volumes for suicide prevention and bring awareness to the perplexity of depression.
That “elite” group of individuals who say ” you don’t know Chris’ past history and I do” are already saying this in so many words.
Again that same personality comes to the surface…that “I am so special and all of you are not” in the midst of this sad human tragedy. Yes those elistists will even use Chris death to promote themselves.
We find that all those” beautiful” people live in a world of affairs, abortions, abuse, neglect, drugs , drugs ,drugs, and when their dirty little secret is revealed they will do everything in their power to cover it up. And the citizens know what I am talking about!
If you’re new to the town -they will brag to you about it.
It’s rather obvious when you say “You all aren’t familiar with Chris’ past” Maybe this tragedy will spark someone to come forth and start to talk about the disgusting debauchery that is Steamboat Springs.
I walked away from it…by myself…with the people of Steamboat spewing their insults at me. And to use a quote from a song onelove…” I’ve seen a part of people that I never really knew was there, yes I’ve seen I part of people that I never really want to share
And finally when people ask “whats Steamboat like ” I simply reply
“beautiful place, ugly people”.
The end!
Dear Claudette Rothman, who are you? is this blog or your petitioning of the D/A even effective? are you just some unknown CSI fan on a warpath? cuz honestly, as a friend of chris this whole conspiracy theory crap makes me sick. unless you have a badge or a law degree, have some sensitivity. this isn’t just another story about the New World Order to gossip and guffaw over, this is someone’s life and death. now, if you actually can ‘make a difference’ e.g. fling a degree in front of a redneck D/A and maybe turn the tide in the case proceedings, i apologize for getting irrational or upset with you. but if you’re just some internet junkie who smokes too much pot and fantasizes about your brother, fuck off.
Wow deedee,
That’s a little much don’t you think?? Rein your talons in!
I’m curious about this supposed fiance pregnancy thing.. Why would she not want to still have Chris’ baby(s)?? Could have been a hefty inheritance huh??
Stilldontgetit,
That’s a bit insensitive, don’t you think? Why are you assuming Chris’s fiancee chose to end the pregnancy? And as for the money, when you have just lost everything that she lost, I would think the last thing you would be concerned about is money…let’s have a little respect here people.
Thank you fedup. And thank you Left the “Boat” for leaving the Boat. Your ignorance and insensitivity toward this tragedy and those who were closest to Chris is unsurpassed. You know nothing and that is as it should be. There has been a sensitive, respectful and loving embrace in our community toward those who continue to grieve the loss of an extraordinary friend and loved one. These qualities are alive and well in this beautiful valley.
WHAT? Certainly not accurate! It has not even been 5 months! That is awful to post unless you have FACT, not just RUMOR!
Today would have been Chris’s 46th birthday. Happy birthday buddy. I miss you everyday.
I don’t know if this sick feeling is ever going to go away…Life was so much a better place with CC in it. Love you brother!
Krislove,
Fact, she is engaged, New Soulmate 4 months later.
God bless you Chris Corna.
what about the other woman? who is/was she?
unbelievable…………must be soooooooo confusing for her young children
Did the police ever locate the cell phone?? Is there any truth to a 19 year old pregnant girl in Colorado? BTW, I find it hard to believe that Lisette would be engaged again…
Well, I just checked facebook to see if she had another relationship status change, oops ,she is no longer on facebook.I guess some move on quicker than others.How long has it been?
She was just on FB a couple days ago…
I just checked – and she IS still on there…don’t know why you couldn’t find her. And, no her status hasn’t changed, although a while back she removed a bunch of pictures and videos she had posted including those of Chris…
this is all crazy, who knows what is actually true? i do know that he did have a 20-year old girlfriend for a long time who is not pregnant and no longer in steamboat. regardless god bless you man, hope you are at peace.
the girlfriend that chris had in sbs was not 20, more like 30. they dated for several years and broke up about a year and a half ago. she moved back east. he did date someone else after that breakup, but from what i know she did not live in sbs and i do not think she was that young.
as far as her new engagement is concerned i will use a chris quote to describe it, “that shows a lot of class, all of it low.” i feel badly for her children and cannot imagine how confused they must be over everything.
Hollywood’s ex is engaged and has been for awhile.
She is selling her house and rumored to be moving West(California).
All of this less than five months of his death.
All very strange! All very sad! Look back at the Pilot articles and her quotes.Ugh!!!!!
Godspeed to Chris
He is in SUCH a better place. GOD BLESS HIM!
But, I want to know as well, what happened to the cell phone? Did he leave a note? HOW are they so confident it was suicide? I know she had just left him and he was upset, but a KNIFE? Suicide is such a selfish act and Chris Corna is NOT SELFISH!!!!! There are so many open ended questions and this is so mysterious! I wish Dateline would take this!
WOW! This is perfect for a Dateline TV story, “Blonde Black Widow.” How could anyone marry so soon after such a tragic death and another accident with a car? Rumor is she was also pregnant with twins when Corna died. All very sad and mysterious.
What a story for Dateline. All very sad and mysterious. May Chris rest in peace.
None of it adds up. Where is the phone that Chris supposedly called 911 about his accident. You wouldn’t call 911 if you are comitting suicide.
Something is really messed up about this whole case. It eats at me all the time. The truth needs to be out, whatever it may be.
Chris was too nice of a guy to get involved with these people. RIP Chris…we miss you so much!
What?? I heard she had a wealthy boyfriend named Ethan. In fact, I heard she was dating him before she and Chris hooked up and then they got back together after Chris’s untimely death, but he bought her a $10,000,000 house??? What is wrong with these people? Doesn’t it concern him whatsoever that she has 4 kids AND was engaged to another man so recently? And what with this car accident? She was headed to LA, but that’s NOT hear Napa? All very curious.
Isn’t it evident that she is a total FAKE and only after a rich dude to support her?? She clearly moves from one to the next….
No wonder she aborted the twins… They would have certainly ended THIS relationship as well (if you can call it that).. Gag…..
Stilldontgetit you are disgusting. You are reprehensible and let me assure you that you have NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. Couple of things to consider: seeing how Chris was a pretty amazing man who fell madly in love with her AND her four kids common sense and good faith lead us to believe that Lisette is a pretty special person. I have met her and spent time with her and she was gentle, kind, warm, friendly, polite and most of all very much a dedicated and passionate parent. Honestly, I was very moved when she spoke to me or my kids it was so sincere as she knelt down to speak to my son and invited him to go to lunch with her kids. Her life is her children. It was not hard to see why Chris wanted to spend his life with her. Her kids were delightful, polite, playful and very loving with both of them. Please stop trying to look on the dark side. Chris loved her passionately, he adored her kids, she is a good solid person and Chris wouldn’t have been with her otherwise.
I understand the man she has chosen to move on with is her old very serious boyfriend whom she dated for years. He was always involved with her family and in love with her and it has been described as he is her “April” by Chris’s friends. She should be able to move on with her life. Our Chris would not want her nor her children to suffer anymore. Lets be honest folks, Chris was not a faithful boyfriend to her nor anyone else. I loved him but this is the truth. He loved women. We used to speak about how he would never be able to settle down. Why shouldn’t she be allowed to move on and buy a new home and create a new life for she and her children. BIG DEAL. She found out tragically that he was unfaithful among other things. Please stop spewing garbage that is untrue. Abortion. You have got to be kidding. These are not facts these are malicious lies and hateful words. If you loved Chris and truly knew Chris, he would want her to be happy. Chris suffered from clinical depression. There was a suicide note, there were text messages to friends and family. Contact the Westchester Coroners office or the Portchester Police.
THERE I SAID IT FOR ALL YOU COWARDS THAT ARE WILLING TO LET HIS DEATH BECOME A TABLOID DRAMA and FOR LETTING HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, FIANCEE, HER KIDS AND THE POLICE TAKE THE HEAT FOR BEING INNOCENT BYSTANDERS….CHRIS COMMITTED SUICIDE. THOSE WHO MATTER KNOW IT. YOU NEED TO KNOW IT. DEAL WITH IT. WE ALL HAVE HAD TO…
For all of you ONCE AND FOR ALL CHRIS WAS AMAZING BUT HE WAS ALSO ILL. IT DOESN’T MAKE HIM BAD, JUST ILL. I loved him too. Sometimes its the greatest ones who are the so great because they are working hard to ignore something inside. We can’t possibly know what goes one inside someones head. I have learned a lot about clinical depression. It is worse than cancer. Listen I don’t read blogs and have never written on a blog but there is a real injustice here. When someone told me about this I couldn’t help it. Shame on you. Those in the know that sit by and let this happen. Don’t ANY of you have a conscience? You are all making a mockery of Chris and his choices. Pregnancy rumors? If so, it was Chris that chose to leave his unborn child not her that chose to leave Chris. It’s Chris that was sleeping with a teenager.
Claudette you call yourself a spiritual woman? Do you have children of your own? Think of how you would feel if your children were able to see reprehensible lies and fodder about you years later. What anyone does in their private life should stay that way. I can guarantee that most of you spewing off at the mouth have done much worse than moving on with your lives. BFD. Focus on your own pathetic lives.
Stop hiding behind your computers and for GOD’s sake stop all the losers and hanger oners who think they knew Chris cuz he spoke to them at his bar(that was his job fools) Use your brain. If you worked for him, well, he WAS Slopeside, if he would have told you that he was moving and getting married his business would plummet. If you were a patron of Slopeside think about how often you went because of Chris. Face it, if you’re on this blog at all it’s cuz you don’t him. Those who did know the truth and have focused on healing. I ask you, those of you that care enough but didn’t know truly know him well enough to know that he suffered, now that you do. Please honor him in death like you honored him in life. Please stop making his life look like a three ringed circus. The people that matter know the truth but i ask politely and respectfully of those who think there is more to stop. Please just stop. Please let our dear friend rest in peace. Please let’s make him proud not embarrassed of what he is witnessing. Please spend time learning about depression and suicide, volunteer do something to make sure that there is at least one friend, family and loved one that is saved from the heartache that we all share. use your energies to indulge in his passions in his honor: the oceans, scuba-diving, animals.
He was truly gifted and one of the most amazing men around. Honor our friend. Honor his parents, honor his friends, extended family, honor Lisette and her children. I promise that there aren’t injustices here, no mistakes and just many of us who want to let him rest in peace. Thank you for considering to stop spewing garbage about our friend, stop writing unkind words, be the person who would make Chris proud. Let us come together as a community to heal. I am not going to engage in banter and look on this website EVER again. I will not reply to those who choose not to listen and denigrate Chris and assist Lisette’s ex-husband who is jumping on the bandwagon to make himself look better. I will not support a site that supports dishonoring a man that should be honored in death and i do challenge those who know the truth to tell it. NOT ON HERE BUT IN CHRIS’S WORLD. To his nearest and dearest…Lyndsey, Carlos, Mike, Dana, Brad, Heidi, Wayne, Aaron and Barbara: We need to start standing up for what is right as it’s the only way Chris would have wanted it. We have a responsibility to his legacy. He was a lot of great things to a lot of great people. I guarantee that he would want the truth to prevail. He never would have wanted to hurt anybody and we should not allow others ruin legacy. He wouldn’t want to look like some ninny that killed himself over a relationship but rather a man who suffered with a VERY serious and largely misunderstood illness. In true Chris fashion allow others to live and learn from him.
So, I guess, ends the sad saga. I do not believe that Chris killed himself. But life moves on, the Slopeside has a new owner but will never be the same and Chris’ new house will never be his home and the girl has definitely moved on. What a great loss to so many. This story screams for an episode of Dateline.
TO: Honorchris’slegacy
You are courageous and a man of character. To do the right thing by Chris and share the truth with all of us that loved him is honoring his plight and helping us heal. Too many of his close friends have given us, who loved from a distance, cryptic messages and empty answers/excuses, telling us “you didn’t “know” him”. You are right about using this tragedy and experience to educate and help others avoid this path. Thank you. I am sad yet relieved as I have heard many rumors along these lines. Per the “hanger oners” it’s disgusting that by spreading lies that these “friends” aren’t savvy enough to understand that they are making a mockery of his death. I was only aware of the antidepressants and the impact that Zoloft can have in relation to suicide. I know that suicide is always hard to believe even under the most obvious circumstances. Thank you for being a true friend helping us to understand Chris. Sometimes the truth is not always the easiest path but it is the right path.
Honorchris’slegacy, I’m the first to admit that I don’t know Chris, but I do know the others involved.
Her current fiance, Ethan Topper, was not even SEPARATED from his wife (of 15 years) until 2007. How could he have been an old boyfriend she dated for years? Unless you are implying that she dated him while he was still married.
He separated in 2006. No implications from anyone just the truth. Who cares anyway? Who really cares? Why don’t you get on with your own life if you have one. What would happen if we started weighing in on your personal life? I love all of you who hide behind your computer screens weighing in others personal lives. Why don’t you spend your time worrying about your family and friends? Get a life and your facts straight. She’s a wonderful woman who is beautiful, smart, well-liked, kind, generous, loving, a fantastic friend and most of all an amazing parent who has raised incredible kids alone against all odds. The proof is in the pudding. Her kids are truly amazing. You are pathetic.
Getyourfactsstraight-you state that “she” is an “amazing” parent. However, I know that she is uprooting her children and moving to a new city to be with someone whom she had broken up with a few months before her engagement to Chris. First husband possibly bipolar? Chris, whatever… Third now, DUI-not sure what’s up with that. I don’t know your relationship with her as a friend but you cannot believe in anyway that she is being a responsible mother.
Just read the facts ma’am.
whatarethefacts?
do you really know them? how? oh really? you ignorant person.
YES AN AMAZING PARENT. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN IN CASE YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND ME, LOSER, AN AMAZING PARENT AMONG MANY MANY MANY OTHER THINGS.
r u stupid enough to believe everything u read? tell me ur not. tell me that there really aren’t people in the world out there like you. tell me that ur not this ignorant, not this shallow, not this malicious. SO WHAT …WHO CARES… WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE…IS THIS JOHN WRITING THIS..HE WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE????? she is moving her children to start a new life with a man she has loved for a long time who also loves her and adores her children and happy help offer her children, food, shelter, education, medical care. unlike their own father who left them all with NOTHING. Again the facts lie within 4 lovely, talented and well-mannered children she has dedicated her life to raising ALONE, supporting ALONE, doing absolutely everything ALONE. While losers like you, and losers like her deadbeat first husband try to dismantle everything she has created for those children both privately and publicly. Well i wont even comment on chris…it speaks for itself what he did…despite all she is an amazing parent, friend, sister, colleague. so amazing, loving, generous, eternally giving to others, able to find the good in all. does it bother you that everyone adores her, loves her energy. foolishly she believed in the good of all these losers. she is beautiful inside and out. there are a lot of jealous people like you out there spewing unnecessary grief. even if you don’t know this person a normal reaction would be good for them, good for her this is a happy ending. if your not jealous why do you sit around on blogs commenting negatively on people’s lives that you know nothing about and truthfully lives that don’t matter. she’s not a public figure. you are purposely trying to hurt her and her children. you should be ashamed. YOU DONT EVEN HAVE THE FACTS STRAIGHT. YOU DON”T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
who the heck are you anyway? you think you know it all? you are either John or someone along those lines. step up and state your name and stop hiding . you are a small person. if you know it all stop being a worm and state your name stand up for your accusations. you have no idea what you are saying. no idea what you are talking about. you are a coward. hiding your name in a blog merely to ruin people’s lives and reputations. who cares? who the hell cares what anyone does with their lives. only small minded JEALOUS losers. why do people want to people even want to comment on lisette. who cares? this is a lynching driven by her ex husband. what else is new? she is a nobody in this mess she has done nothing wrong and a lot right. this is a campaign to further hurt she and her children. You are transparent you know. Enough.
7 months to the day the our friend died….. she is in a car accident with her Topper….the fiance…… I wonder if she even thought of Chris as they were crashing… or even after…. Well atleast she can rest well in her new 10,000,000 $ home in California…..
Karma is a bitch…..
I’m sure there is way more to come….
Sleep With the ANGELS….Sweet Prince…
“….depression is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away”.
On the outside, a person can look and act as polished, energetic, full of life, and giving towards others as can be. That was Chris. What we don’t see sometimes….is the subtle emptiness going on inside one’s soul. For those of you who knew Chris on this level, you know what I mean. For those of you who didn’t, I can see why you would have a difficult time understanding why a successful, handsome, generous, kind, everybody LOVES Raymond kind of guy struggled with life. It doesn’t make sense to the majority of people. If we just had lots of money, lots of friends, successful at what we do, help people out…how could we not be happy? Depression is a hard thing to understand and I implore anyone who doesn’t understand it to educate yourself on it. It affects every aspect of one’s life, with alot of the pain hidden from view.
I offer these thoughts to back up what the gentleman up top said, in hopes to put a rest to the speculations and hurtful words presented here…and to say these words in a way that is respectful to Chris and his family. As the gentleman said, Chris wouldn’t have wanted this negativity spoken here. What he would want (now that it is out in the open),is for everyone to gain an understanding and acceptance of his illness.
I leave you with this thought. My reflections of Chris over the years reminded me …of a beautiful wild animal…an endangered species…an animal who’s world you wanted to be in to experience all that was good…and help with the threat to it’s existence when you saw the writing on the wall. But sometimes….as much as you try to help, there is nothing you can do to save one from something stronger than himself. You have to let them go and put it in God’s hands. As the quote says above, depression is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be willed away. Chris was not a weak person. He was strong. He fought the fight and tried to will it away as long as he could. Tragically, (as I feared for years would happen), he had enough. It may appear that one incident caused his demise. That is not true. Depression creates a lifetime of threats to one’s life.
PLEASE… let Chris and those involved go peacefully into their next phase of life…without anger, speculation, and without demanding accountability. The reasons and accountability for his death are way beyond our comprehension. For those of you who are angry and in so much pain…in Chris’s memory, try to channel the anger into something positive to help others with depression. He would respect you for that.
A very old friend……
Nicely stated A Very Old Friend.
Tiffany Mundt Brovege
I would stop while you’re ahead. We have all the emails about your, and I quote “late night booty calls” with Chris and more. Oh yes, my friend, we do. Perhaps you should stop or perhaps we should post them and let everyone weigh in on your life, your choices and perhaps understand why you would be so unkind for no reason. Do you really think that Lisette deserves your comments while you were entertaining him with a little “booty call” ..or do you just have an axe to grind? Our suggestion is that you first apologize to Lisette, family, friends whom you embarrass and her children whom you hurt by writing and saying such unkind and untrue things. Your comments everywhere are embarrassing. Your jealousy is palpable and we know why. It is time to stop. Just so you know we have all of the facebook mail and texts too.
Funny, you’re right about some things though, karma is a bitch.
Tibella those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Just maybe you should worry about your own house and not on Lissettes.
Narcissism, NPD: “Personality disorder with a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and lack of empathy.” Topper and Coen were made for each other and must so enjoy writing and reading their posts on here. Two narcissists can not exist together. Talk about Chris having a “disorder,” WTF?! These two are a mine field of dysfunction and destruction, stay clear.
John… It is embarrassing to admit, I am sure. You are the only
one who cares this much about “topper and coen”. You are the only
one who knew about the house purchase in San Francisco through a deposition before anyone else knew. You keep planting the info. Face it you have no job andyou sit around obesessing about your ex wife. You are THE only person that knew about their home. Everyone knows this. Just stop
and worry about your own life and issues. Oh and btw get a job.
One thing is crystal clear, you have TERRIBLE taste in men. Seriously, stop running from yourself and into bad relationships with worse men. Would you let your own daughter date the likes of John, Chris or Ethan? If you’re being honest, you would want better for her, and you should demand better for yourself as well.
You are supposed to be a POSITIVE role model for these children. They should be your FIRST and ONLY concern in your life, not this procession of rich tools you keep hooking up with – all of them liars, womanizers and substance abusers.
You need to be in therapy; your kids need to be in therapy.
Good mother? If you say so. Good role model? Work on it.
getsomehelp getalife getsome perspective.
your false sense of authority as you offer parenting advice to “strangers” is entertaining. Really? You just troll on blogs offering “strangers” advice. well that is, shall we say, delusional at best or perhaps obsessed.
crystal clear.
crystal clear.
crystal clear.
Topper, are you really that stupid? It sure looks and sounds like it, getting a felony DUI, causing Lisette to go to the hospital, you could have killed her and others including the kids, and yet you will not accept responsibility. You tell everyone you were not drunk, well the police seem to think differently and so does your Porsche, now that is crystal clear. You sound like a crazy man high on something. Humm, wonder if you could loose your securities license? The SEC does not like felons OR drug addicts, they are crystal clear on that rule. There are rules in life Mr, Topper, you are NOT ABOVE THEM. By your responses, you indirectly send negative accusations at Lisette. “A man she has loved for a long time.” Please, you are barely divorced and Chris has not been dead long, may he RIP. You both are delusional in your own worlds that it is all about you. You say you can provide ” food, shelter, education and medical care, unlike their father,” what a douche you are. Nowhere do you mention showing the kids love, but credit cards and cash, no problem. You are not above it all Topper. Put your rage to good use, do something for others in need. Put down your cell phone and cigarettes for one minute, stop making deals for one hour, give to others. Before you put down another man’s capability of being a father, take a look at how you are doing as a father. It is crystal clear that Lisette is directing you like a mindless PW’d puppet, sitting there beside you while you type, make calls and send emails. Has she tried to get rid of everyone in your life “pre-Lissette,” she did with Chris. SF is a small town, and she is already becoming known for her abusive and demanding treatment of others, Leona, watch out! On the bright side, you are just known as the village idiot, could be worse. Oh, and BTW to be crystal clear, I have a job.
Gettalife, don’t you mean
crystal meth.
crystal meth.
crystal meth.
don’t believe everything you read. everyone has an agenda here.
it is scary that people like you exist. it must be terrible to have so much hatred and disgust toward others. it must be sad to be stuck in a place where your truth and your beliefs are based on a blog from of all places, greenwich, ct. shame, hate and anger can do nothing to fulfill your empty hearts and holes in your lives. take care of yourselves and stop hurting others. don’t know any of these people and it is obvious neither do any of you. pretty sure if you took an out of context piece of your life, put it out for others to weigh in on that it could be spun any which way you want. no one who reads this stuff cares, no one who reads this stuff believes your ridiculous tirades, good bad or indifferent. you serve only your own needs and look like the village idiot to all others.
StupidIsAsStupidDoes & Fearandloathing, posting 20 minutes apart, while on vacation, pathetic. Ethan and Lisette are you really that stupid?! Take another sleeping pill, close your laptops, and get some rest before you do any more blow and further incriminate yourselves or insult Greenwich. You do have a 5M house there for sale complete with SIN, hopefully you are taking the SIN with you to the West. If you really don’t care, why are you reading and posting? Now we have two Village idiots. The joke is on you two, and IS you two! Stork coming soon or wait till after the nuptials … oh the lies you tell.
Without a rich man … John, Chris, Ethan … Lisette is nothing … sad!
Didn’t receive a “save the date”. Guess I’m not invited to the wedding!
ummm- do you think there is any of this story in the book greenwich secrets?
Recently, I purchased a copy of your novel on Greenwich Avenue and enjoyed it immensely, although I am a bit too old to relish all the sexual episodes in it, but that aside I cannot help but conclude that much of Greenwich Secrets is based on the Corna case – the similarities are more than striking. How did you come upon all this “inside” information?
It was all quite fascinating and seemed so real that I seemed to have “lived” the experience. Good heavens, I cannot imagine the case differing from the storyline of the book in any way.
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