Silicone Injections Into Genitals Causes Death Of 28-Year-Old Gay Man

Dylan Hafertepen (L) and Jack Chapman (R)

A gay man in Seattle, Washington, has died due to health complications related to injecting his genitals with liquid silicone.

Gay Star News reports that Jack Chapman, who is known on various social media platforms as Tank Heathcliff Hafertepen), died on October 15.

Among the causes of death listed on the death certificate was ‘Silicon Injection Syndrome.’ Three other causes of death, all lung related, were also listed.

Chapman was apparently in a pup/master BDSM relationship with Dylan Hafertepen, who goes by the pseudonym ‘noodlesandbeef’ on social media.

BDSM relationships can include some forms of role-play that include dominance, bondage, and/or submission.

According to Gay Star News, Chapman lived with “Hafertepen, Hafertepen’s husband, and three other men whom Hafertenpen has relationships.”

Dylan Hafertepen (L) and Jack Chapman (R)

Chapman had previously shared on his Tumblr account his use of silicone injections into his penis and scrotum.

The National Institutes of Health reports penile enhancement procedures with liquid silicone by non-medical personnel could result in devastating consequences including gross distortion’ and ‘sexual dysfunction.’

Silicone injections can also result in an ‘immunological response.’

A case study in the National Library of Medicine noted, “There is no reliable material as filler for penile soft tissue. Because of their composition and biochemical characteristics, they may act as a foreign body in the tissue, eliciting severe allergic reactions.”

Since Chapman’s death, social media followers have posted screen captures of his Tumblr account where he had shared his use of liquid silicone.

In one post, Chapman wrote, “What’s my secret? Since November 2014, I’ve been having liquid silicone injected into my penis and scrotum under the supervision of a healthcare professional, who has high amount of experience performing this procedure.”

When asked for details of his treatment, he shared, “I have a guy in Sacramento who is a champ.”

(image via Twitter)

“The reason I shared this detail about myself was because I believe I owed it to the intelligence of my readers,” he added. “I am noticeably bigger, and will continue [to] get bigger into the future – a cursory glance to my readers by misleading them or pretending that nothing has happened when it obviously had.”

‘It’s a part of me. It’s a part of my story and I’m happy to talk about it,” said the 28-year-old originally from Australia.

“This procedure can have major health risks if done incorrectly,” wrote Chapman in a post that now seems prophetic. “It is an unregulated and unapproved body modification.”

He also refused to share specific information about where to turn to for similar treatment.

In the aftermath of his death, Chapman’s Instagram and Tumblr accounts have been deleted.

A post on his Facebook page, dated October 16, mentions a ‘persistent cough’ that eventually led to further complications.

Tank had a persistent cough for several months. Otherwise, he seemed fine, doing the things he loved -- working out, caring for clients as part of Lifelong AIDS Alliance, and spending time with his family. Until a week ago when he had trouble breathing and was admitted to the hospital with what we figured was a routine infection. It turned out to be much more. He fought very hard, seeming to get a tiny bit better day by day, until the terrible moment that we were told nothing more could be done.

Dylan Hafertepen originally agreed to speak to Gay Star News about Chapman’s passing.

But when questions regarding the silicone treatments and possible steroid use came up, Hafertepen demurred, writing in an email, “Tank was an incredible man and I don’t want him remembered by the thing that contributed to his death.”

Chapman is also survived by his mother, who lives in Melbourne, Australia.

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UPDATE: Since I posted this report, I've heard from a number of people alleging an element of domestic abuse in this case.

While I can't substantiate any of those claims, it seems adding a link to someone who has compiled their alleged proof would make this post more thorough.

To read about the allegations of domestic abuse, click here. I'll repeat that I haven't had the chance to prove or disprove the allegations shared at the link.

Jack Chapman

Georgia: Church Sign Reads "Homosexuality is a death worthy crime"

Robert Lee, the pastor of Ten Commandments Church in Milledgeville, Ga., recently changed the sign outside his church to read, "Homosexuality is a death worthy crime."

Lee would seem to be calling for the death of homosexuals.

From Talking Points Memo:

"Homosexuality is an abomination, and the Bible says that homosexuality is a death worthy crime," Lee told WGXA.

The sign references Leviticus 20:13, which reads, "If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

Lee told WGXA that he hoped his sign would have an impact and said he would oppose a Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage.

"The institution of marriage was instituted by God and it should not be changed by people who deserve not to live," he said.

Department Of Justice Officially Announces No Charges Against George Zimmerman

The Department of Justice has officially announced there will be no charges filed against George Zimmerman for the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

From ABC News:

ABC News has learned Martin’s family will soon be notified that the Justice Department will not be filing charges against George Zimmerman, who shot the 17-year-old after a confrontation in 2012. Thursday marks three years to the day since Martin was killed.

Federal prosecutors concluded there is not sufficient evidence to prove Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman in Sanford, Fla., intentionally violated Martin’s civil rights, sources told ABC News.

Science: Can You Be Scared To Death?

The AsapSCIENCE guys answer the question: is it possible to be scared to death?

Alabama Issues New Death Certificate Recognizing Marriage Of Paul Hard To David Fancher

Paul Hard of Alabama applies for death certificate for his late husband

Amid all the joy and happiness happening today in Alabama, a more subdued moment occurred when Paul Hard, whose husband David Fancher had died, filed for a new death certificate recognizing his marriage.

Fancher was killed in a car accident in 2011. At the time, upon arriving at the hospital armed with power of attorney, living will and their marriage certificate, he was told that the hospital wanted to speak to his "real" family.

Ultimately, his evil mother-in-law went to court to try and cut Hard out of the proceeds of a wrongful death lawsuit, saying the marriage was not recognized by the state - and she wanted to keep it that way. (State law only allows for legal family members to receive such funds).

Thanks to Judge Granade's ruling on same-sex marriage, Hard was able to receive a new death certificate today acknowledging his marriage.

NYC: Grand Jury Declines To Indict Officer Who Choked Man To Death

Just days after a grand jury declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, a grand jury in Staten Island has decided not to indict New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner, a black man who died after being placed in a chokehold.

Garner, 43, died July 17 while he was being arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes. In a video of the arrest, which has since gone viral, Garner screams “I can’t breathe!” multiple times until his body goes limp. A medical examiner later said that he died of a chokehold, a move that is banned by the NYPD, and ruled his death a homicide.

I'm not anti-police. I'm really not. But it's difficult to see - given the video and the medical examiner ruling the death a homicide - how the grand jury didn't see grounds for an indictment of involuntary manslaughter.

I don't believe Daniel Pantaleo meant to kill Garner, but he did use a chokehold (an NYPD no-no) and he caused the man's death, albeit by accident.

How is this not involuntary manslaughter?

Reports are now coming in that the Justice Department will investigate the death.

ISIS Reportedly Executes Two Gay Men By Stoning To Death

MSNBC is reporting that ISIS has apparently stoned to death two men alleged to be gay:

The Islamic State group stoned two men to death in Syria Tuesday after claiming they were gay, a monitor said, in the jihadist organisation's first executions for alleged homosexuality.

"The IS today stoned to death a man that it said was gay," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that the victim was around 20 years old. He was killed in Mayadeen in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, near the border with Iraq.

The Britain-based Observatory said IS claimed it found videos on his mobile phone showing him "practising indecent acts with males".

In a separate incident on Tuesday, an 18-year-old was also stoned to death in Deir Ezzor city after the group said he was gay, the Observatory said.

Activists on social media said that the dead men were opponents of IS and that the group had used the allegation as a pretext to kill them.

On The 16th Anniversary of the Death of Matthew Shepard

On the 16th anniversary of the passing of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, his parents talk on the painful memories of their son's violent death, why they didn't seek the death penalty for his attackers, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which they founded to raise awareness around homophobia and diversity.

Arizona man wins right to be listed as "surviving spouse" in narrow same-sex marriage case

Fred McQuire (L) and George Martinez (R) exchange marriage vows in California

Today, a judge in Phoenix, Arizona, ruled in favor of plaintiff Fred McQuire's request to be listed on the death certificate of his recently deceased husband George Martinez.

Arizona state law does not recognize same-sex marriage and as such would not list McQuire as Martinez's husband on the death certificate.

U.S. District Judge John Sedwick's ruling will allow McQuire the right to apply for Social Security and veterans death benefits.

The state had argued against McQuire claim based on the state's ban on same-sex marriage, but Judge Sedwick wrote that McQuire faced irreparable harm on the basis of the loss of his dignity and status while he was the midst of his grief.

From Lambda Legal via press release:

An accurate death certificate is necessary for a surviving spouse to settle their loved one’s affairs, as well as to collect veterans, social security and other benefits generally available to surviving spouses.

“I’m ecstatic and so grateful that my marriage to George is recognized. My birthday is next week and this is the best birthday present I could have ever hoped for. This is the highest honor that we could offer George and his memory—he would be so proud. Even though this ruling is for George and me, I hope this is going to help other families, too. No one else should have to deal with the pain and humiliation of not being able to take care of something as simple and sensitive as a death certificate for their spouse,” said Lambda Legal client Fred McQuire.

Read the ruling here.

UPDATE: via Twitter

Bittersweet victory as Fred picks up the accurate death certificate of his late husband, George. #loveunitesus #lgbt pic.twitter.com/h6eIBgoB6i

— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) September 13, 2014

(source)

Joan Rivers death allegedly caused by medical mistake

Word is spreading fast that Joan Rivers' death was allegedly caused by an unplanned biopsy during Rivers' outpatient procedure:

During Rivers' planned endoscopy ... doctors discovered something on her vocal cords and her doctor decided he would biopsy it ... this according to the NY Daily News.

During the biopsy Rivers' vocal cords reportedly seized -- slammed shut -- cutting off her air supply. Sources tell TMZ while they were trying to resuscitate her, her heart stopped.

Medical experts told the Daily News ... the biopsy was too risky for outpatient surgery and should have been performed in a hospital.

Rivers never recovered and died a few days later.

(via TMZ)

Guns don't kill people, 9 year old girls do

A gun instructor has been shot and killed by a nine year old girl who was getting a lesson on how to use an Uzi.

Charles Vacca, 39, of Lake Havasu City was shot Monday morning, airlifted to a medical center in Las Vegas and pronounced dead shortly before 9 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.

Vacca was working at the Bullets and Burgers outdoor range in White Hills, about 60 miles southeast of Las Vegas, when the accident occurred. The girl and her parents were at the range while on vacation, a sheriff’s spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times.

He was standing next to the girl, instructing her how to use the Uzi, when she pulled the gun’s trigger and the recoil sent the weapon over her head, causing him to be shot, the sheriff’s office said.

“This is a rarity for something like this to happen,” the spokeswoman said.

You have to be 18 to join the armed forces; you have to be 21 to drink in most states; you have to be 16 to drive a car legally in most states; but with no regulation whatsoever, you can hand an Uzi to a 9 year old girl?

FYI - Bullets and Burgers hosts children's birthday parties.

Because, what could possibly go wrong?

THE SIMPSONS says goodby to Marcia Wallace

Last night, during the opening credits of The Simpsons, the show's creators took a moment to pay tribute to Marcia Wallace, who voiced teacher Edna Krabappel on Fox's long-running animated hit.

Wallace was also famous for her role as the sassy secretary on "The Bob Newhart Show" in the 1970s.

Wallace passed away last month at the age of 70.

Darren Criss talks on the death of Cory Monteith with Conan O'Brien

During a recent appearance, Conan O’Brien asked Criss how the cast of GLEE is handling the July 13 death of Monteith:

“We’re picking up the pieces now and there’s two things you got to remember about Cory: One, he was a really funny guy. He had a great sense of humor; he loved life. He always took care of his friends, he wanted his friends to be happy, so it’s only right that we try and start to smile again, try and laugh again. It’s something he would have wanted.”

(source)

Lea Michele tweets on the death of Cory Monteith

"Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support. Cory will forever be in my heart." - tweeted by Lea Michele, breaking her silence since Cory Monteith's passing

Coroner's report shows Cory Monteith died of heroin and alcohol

Very sad news as the British Columbia Coroners Service has concluded that “Glee” star Cory Monteith died as a result of heroin and alcohol.


An autopsy and toxicological analysis, performed Monday, said “mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol” killed the 31 year-old actor.

Monteith was found at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel on Saturday.

The investigation into his death is still ongoing but Canadian authorities call the incident a “most tragic accident.”

“Mr. Monteith’s family has been made aware of the circumstances surrounding the death,” the BC Coroners Service said in a statement. “On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.”

Monteith checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel on July 6 and had been expected to check out on July 13 but never left his room. Hotel staff found the actor’s lifeless body shortly after noon on Saturday.

Monteith, born in Victoria, British Columbia, had a history of substance abuse, telling Parade magazine in 2011 that he began using drugs at 13 and by 19 was in rehab for using “anything and everything, as much as possible.”

(via Variety)

Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil performer dies from 50 foot fall

Final fight scene from KA at the MGM Grand

A terrible tragedy has occurred at one of Cirque du Soleil's premiere productions in Las Vegas.

A performer in the show KA accidentally fell over 50 feet to her death.

From the Las Vegas Sun:

According to reports from audience members, the incident occurred Saturday night during the latter stages of the production at MGM Grand. Guyard-Guillot was one of the artists suspended by a wire from the show’s vertical stage in the show-closing Final Battle scene. As she ascended to the top of the stage, she slipped free of her safety wire and dropped to the open, unseen pit below the performers.

After the incident, one eyewitness seated in the middle of the audience and just a few rows from the lip of the stage said Guyard-Guillot dropped from the left side of the set (or on the right side, as audience members face the production) over a distance of at least 50 feet. The show momentarily continued, but then the music halted, and the performer’s screams and groans could be heard from below the stage. One source close to the production said she died on the way to a hospital.

“(The artist) was being hoisted up the side of the stage and then just plummeted down,” said Dan Mosqueda, visiting with his wife and 10-year-old son from Colorado Springs, Colo. “Initially, a lot of people in the audience thought it was part of the choreographed fight. But you could hear screaming, then groaning, and we could hear a female artist crying from the stage.” Mosqueda’s wife, Annie, has a background in theater and tweeted about the incident soon after it occurred.

Minutes after the artist’s fall, a recorded announcement was played on the theater’s sound system informing ticket-buyers that refunds or vouchers to future shows would be offered to those in the audience, and the crowd was dismissed.

Cirque released a statement this early afternoon: “The entire Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by the accidental death of Sarah (Sassoon) Guyard, artist on the production ‘Ka,’ that happened on Saturday, June 29, in Las Vegas. The artist’s immediate family has been informed of the accident. Our thoughts are with her family and the entire Cirque du Soleil family.”

It is the first reported death from an accident onstage in Cirque's 30-year history.

My sincerest condolences to the family of Guyard-Guillot and to the cast of KA.

Another meningitis death in Southern California

News is coming out of Southern California that Meningitis has claimed another gay man's life.

Following the death of 33-year old West Hollywood attorney Brett Shaad (and its controversial handling by WeHo officials) comes news that the late-2012 death of Rjay Spoon, a gay man who lived in downtown Los Angeles, is attributed to meningitis.

An unidentified 30-year old student attending San Diego State University also died from the disease on December 10.

The belated news of the two other meningitis-related deaths have sparked outrage from many in a community still reeling from Shaad's untimely death.

Read more at Instinct.