Suicides by persons reported as missing prior to death: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: A first study to compare suicides by missing persons with other suicide cases. Design: Retrospective cohort study for the period 1994-2007. Geographical location: Queensland, Australia. Population: 194 suicides by missing persons and 7545 other suicides were identified through the Queensland Suicide Register and the National Coroners Information System. Main outcome measure: χ2 statistics and binary logistic regression were used to identify distinct characteristics of suicides by missing persons. Results: Compared with other suicide cases, missing persons significantly more often died by motor vehicle exhaust gas toxicity (23.7% vs 16.4%; χ2=7.32, p<0.01), jumping from height (6.7..