If you’re at all techie, and maybe even if you’re not, you may have seen news reports of a young couple in Berkeley, California, found dead in their duplex apartment. Also found dead were their two cats.
Initially a local story, the mystery deaths soon made national and international news.
And by Friday, published reports (citing unnamed sources) said the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning from a 3D printer in their apartment.
A terribly painful story, for sure.
But for us, it was even more painful because it was personal. The dead woman was the daughter of a good friend and colleague of Meda’s who teaches at Michigan State University. She and Meda have collaborated on many publications and research projects, and stay in close touch.
It didn’t take long for the shocking news to spread through the national network of feminist criminologists.
I thought to myself…this just isn’t the kind of thing that happens to people you know. And when it does, it necessarily threatens your own sense of personal safety and security.
We had visited the couple and their cats while in Berkeley for a conference in 2013. We had dinner at their apartment, and of course spent time with their two unusual big-eyed cats, which also turned out to be very smart and would perform tricks in exchange for freeze-dried treats.
Roger, a computer game designer, had been developing his own approach to design of nonviolent games that did not rely on the militarized scenarios of mainstream games. She was a post-doctoral researcher. Two successful careers were well underway.
What can you say? Hug your loved ones. Be glad that you woke up this morning.
And maybe take that 3D printer off your shopping list.
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That is a shocking and tragic story. I am very sorry for your loss.
So sorry. I had assumed most 3-D printers were in businesses or educational use. Seems there would have been some warning this could happen. Auwe.
Make sure your fire alarm is the kind with the carbon monoxide detector. Most don’t.
Good counsel on taking the 3D printer off my shopping list. For those who already have 3D printers in their home or office I urge yo to remove them at once and send them to the White House in Washington.
A substantial amount of CO? Seems odd from a 3D printer. They give off fumes and need to be ventilated, but not any substantial amount of CO. What material were they running through the print head? Something other than PLA or ABS?
Looking across the news feeds it seems there is some argument about the 3D printer being involved. Perhaps it is a little early to jump to conclusions about what went on here.
A terrible story. Those poor people. I only wondered why they needed such a printer. Those things don’t come with any kind of warning?
First of all, I’m sorry to hear about the death of that couple. No doubt a tragedy for their family and friends.
But their death was NOT caused by a 3D printer. Per a NY Daily News update;
“A report erroneously blamed the deaths of Roger Morash, 35, his wife Valerie Morash, 32, and their two cats on a 3-D printer – but friends later said the couple’s laser cutter wasn’t in use at the time they died.”
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you an example of the consequences of relying on info coming from unnamed sources and unverified reports. Fake news. It can affect what you choose to purchase as a consumer. It can affect who you choose to vote for.
Allen Rabinovich, a friend of the deceased, posted the following:
“To summarize: there were two devices in the house, a small commercially-made laser cutter, and a small commercially-made fused deposition modeling 3D printer (the most common type of 3D printers available). To the best of our knowledge, neither was in operation or had any materials in them at the time the tragedy occurred.
“I’d like to ask everyone to please refrain from speculation until we have answers. We will release the factual information we learn to the public to provide closure on the issue.”
DONALD TRUMP:
THE SYRIANS DID IT