Clues of sadness amid rubble of Nashville explosion
Anthony Warner must have been a lonely man at the end of his life. According to police, he has been identified as the Nashville bomber who early on Christmas morning blew himself up along with half a block in Nashville’s downtown area.
“Downtown,” the hit 1964 song recorded by Petula Clark, played in the background as recorded warnings of the impending explosion were broadcasted for some 15 minutes before the blast.
Around 6:30 a.m., the bomb exploded.
Police and forensic experts are searching for a motive behind the blast. They may not have to look far. In this case, they just need to listen to the song. The lyrics of “Downtown” may well tell the story of what was going on in Warner’s mind. The song speaks of loneliness, worries, troubles and problems.
“When you’re alone, and life is making you lonely.” That’s how the song starts. It is also about what you can do about it. The advice is to go “downtown” — in this case, a part of Nashville that is known for bars, restaurants and nightlife. In short, a place where people congregate to enjoy themselves. Except not now with the pandemic surging.
While the song is sympathetic and even hopeful, it may have triggered a melancholic reaction to his current circumstances that shaped his decision to end his life in this very public way.
One verse offers the promise of social connection as a respite to his pain: “You’ll be dancing with them too before the night is over.” Gaining notoriety may have been a grandiose fantasy to be seen after years of loneliness. Another verse can be read as a desire to escape his life. “Everything’s waiting for you. Don’t hang around and let your problems surround you.”
In the second stanza, the lyrics are aiming to comfort. One verse is soothing “You’re going to be alright now.” Another is hopeful: “And you may find somebody kind to help you understand. Someone who is just like you.” The last verse urges action: “Don’t wait a minute more.” Urgency to act is a key component of suicidal risk.
In conducting psychological autopsies, pieces of the person’s life must be re-interpreted in light of their decision to end it all. How, when and where they kill themselves can be telling.
The blast was his suicide note. The timing and location appeared intentional. Instead of choosing to cause mass causalities, he wanted to destroy a place that represented hope, perhaps the hope that he had lost.
Like many victims of suicide, he planned for his death by selling or giving away his property, including his house. He was divorced, supported an elderly mother and apparently had no children. Neighbors were largely unaware of him.
Reports suggest his primary social contacts were tied to his work as a computer consultant. He appeared to be living a lonely life, and may have been suffering from a major depression. Importantly, the repeated warnings over the loudspeaker in the van indicated that he did not want to kill anyone else, although a bomb that size raised the possibility of causing fatalities.
Should we be surprised by his action considering how the pandemic can trigger social alienation especially among people who are lonely, angry and depressed? With rates of suicide skyrocketing, his action — deviant as it was — can be understood as an expression of his anguish.
Social connection can make a big difference during these times. But apparently, Warner had only a song to hang on to and a determination for people to know his name.
We can choose to see him simply as a criminal but there is likely a deeper emotional reality that drove his action. Timing the blast on Christmas morning sent a broader message of a person and a nation in pain.
Suicide is preventable. You can help by referring people at risk to the National Suicide Hotline which is open 24 hours, seven days a week by calling 800-273-8255.
Should we be surprised by his action considering how the pandemic can trigger social alienation especially among people who are lonely, angry and depressed?