Daniel Milland was the only son of Ray Milland, a famous Hollywood actor who won an Oscar for his role in the 1945 film “Lost Weekend”. Daniel had a troubled life, struggling with drug addiction and unemployment. He died by suicide in 1981, at the age of 41, leaving behind a grieving father and a mystery.
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The Discovery of the Body
Daniel Milland was found dead in his West Los Angeles apartment on March 24, 1981. He had a gunshot wound in his head and a .22-caliber AK-7 “survival rifle” lying beside him on his bed. There was no suicide note or any indication of why he took his own life.
He shared the apartment with two women, Jacqueline May and Valerie Hartnett, who said he had been drinking heavily and was intoxicated when they last talked to him the night before. They also said he had difficulty holding a job and seemed depressed. They discovered his body when they returned home from work and called the police.
The coroner’s office ruled his death a suicide after an autopsy confirmed that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to UPI Archives, senior coroner’s investigator John W. Finken said that there was no evidence of foul play or any other person involved in the shooting.
The History of Drug Abuse
Daniel Milland had a history of drug abuse that dated back to his teenage years. He was arrested several times for heroin possession and prescription forgery in the 1960s. He pleaded guilty to a charge of heroin possession in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1966 and was sentenced to probation. He was also arrested in Ventura County for forging prescriptions to obtain narcotics.
According to UPI Archives, his father Ray Milland tried to help him overcome his addiction and enrolled him in a rehabilitation program. Ray Milland also said that his son wanted to become an actor, but he had no success in the film industry. He worked as a salesman in a men’s clothing store and later as a security guard.
The Relationship with His Father
Ray Milland was one of the most popular and respected actors in Hollywood. He starred in more than 120 movies, including classics such as “Dial M For Murder”, “The Glass Key”, “Beau Geste” and “The Big Clock”. He won an Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of an alcoholic writer in “Lost Weekend”, a role that he later said was inspired by his son’s addiction.
Ray Milland had a close relationship with his son, despite their differences. He supported him financially and emotionally throughout his life. He also tried to establish a bond with him through their shared love of sports and outdoor activities. According to Ranker, Ray Milland took his son on hunting trips and taught him how to shoot.
Ray Milland was devastated by his son’s death and did not comment publicly on it. He died five years later, in 1986, at the age of 79, from lung cancer. He was survived by his wife of 54 years, Muriel, and his daughter, Victoria.
The Mystery of the Motive
The motive behind Daniel Milland’s suicide remains unknown. There is no clear explanation for why he decided to end his life at that particular moment. Some possible factors that may have contributed to his despair are:
- His chronic alcoholism and drug addiction, which may have affected his mental health and judgment.
- His lack of career success and financial stability, which may have made him feel inadequate and hopeless.
- His loneliness and isolation, which may have prevented him from seeking help or support from others.
- His family history of suicide, which may have influenced his decision. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Webster, also killed himself with a gunshot in 1935.
Whatever the reason, Daniel Milland’s suicide was a tragic loss for his family and friends. He left behind a legacy of pain and sorrow that overshadowed his potential and talent. He also left behind a mystery that may never be solved.
