committed suicide

The phrase committed suicide refers to the act of intentionally ending one's own life. The specific use of the verb "commit" implies a connection to illegal, immoral, or harmful acts, stemming from historical legal and religious frameworks where self-murder was classified as a crime (a felony) or a mortal sin. Consequently, the phrasing mirrors terminology used for criminal activities, such as "committing murder," "committing treason," or "committing theft."

In contemporary discourse, the term is highly contested. Mental health advocates and major style guides, such as the AP Stylebook, advise against its use, arguing that it stigmatizes the deceased by framing them as a perpetrator of a crime rather than a victim of a mental health crisis. These groups prefer neutral phrasing that treats suicide as a cause of death similar to an illness. However, many speakers continue to use "committed suicide" as a standard, habitual expression without intending to convey judgment or criminality, viewing it simply as the established idiom for the action.

Example:
"The historical biography noted that the artist committed suicide at the age of 37."

Example:
"Because the laws at the time stated he had committed suicide, his estate was seized by the crown."