October 5, 2007

Audio: Bubba the Love Sponge suicide incident (Part 2)

Friday, October 5, 2007 at 12:49 PM

Here is Part 2 of audio from the BTLS suicide caller. Read the full story about the incident here.

Again, please note that this audio contains explicit language and may be considered disturbing to some.


(Playtime is approx. 20 minutes)

As was brought up in Part one of the audio, this has happened before to Bubba in mid-90s when he was a DJ on WFLZ/Tampa.

On a personal note, this audio is pretty f'ing intense and the "protection" doesn't help but to make it even freakier.

Audio: Bubba the Love Sponge suicide incident (Part 1)

Friday, October 5, 2007 at 12:09 PM

Orbitcast has just obtained the audio from the Bubba suicide incident, so you can hear it for yourself.

Please note that the audio contains explicit language and may be disturbing to some.


(Length is about 20 minutes)

Please understand that this was determined not to be a hoax, as verified by the police. This is not "a bit," it's real.

Bubba the Love Sponge saves man from suicide

Friday, October 5, 2007 at 11:15 AM

Bubba the Love Sponge Show
Sirius host Bubba the Love Sponge received a call on Wednesday, October 3rd, at 3:15pm ET from a man who said that he "needed Bubba" because was ready to commit suicide.

The man provided a fake name, asked that his voice be masked to avoid detection, and requested that no attempts be made to trace his call. Nine minutes into the call, the caller revealed that he had a gun in his possession, and had made his teenage daughter leave his premises.

Bubba suicide audio Listen to audio of this incident: [Part 1] [Part 2]

At that point, engineer David Rice contacted the phone service who was unable to trace the call, and local police. Forty minutes later, the man was calmed down sufficiently by Bubba, Brent Hatley and SpiceBoy (Matt Loyd). They were able to get his real name and phone number off the air, and alert authorities, who rushed to his Charlotte County, Florida home.

Yesterday, the Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. show received an emailed accolade from the Charlotte County, Florida Sheriff's Office for their ability to keep the caller on the line, calm him down, and provide the sheriff's office with an audio copy of the call.

The email also confirmed that the caller had a gun, and had been in a legitimate suicidal state.

"The DJs did an outstanding job of talking to the gentleman and keeping him calm," wrote the officer. "I can't go into details about the outcome of the call due to confidentiality concerns, but he is safe and sound."

Gin & Tonic Lounge has an incredible recount of what happened...

"As I drove, the story unfolded. The caller had lost his job, his wife and his daughter. He had large debts and little money. He was overweight, drunk and had a gun on his lap.

Of all the people to call, this nut called Bubba.

Now usually, when I tune in, I expect to hear an interview with a UFC fighter, a porn star, or Bubba using a tazer to "shock the puss." This however, was something different.

...For nearly an hour and a half, without the assistance of caller ID to alert the police, Bubba and his crew pleaded, cajoled, and bargained with the man to put the gun down.

It was a struggle, and the man made several despondent declarations along the way. He was determined. He wanted only to get drunk and then blow his brains out on Bubba's show. He had been planning it for 8 days.

Could the whole thing have been a hoax? Sure, the thought crossed my mind. However the sense of urgency, and barely-contained panic indicated that this was real.

They tried everything, but eventually, after a great deal of time, Bubba's argument that a suicide on his show would cause him a great deal of pain and misery finally carried the day. The man, whose daughter was a teenager, didn't care that his death might hurt her. He didn't care about the rest of his family or his friends. However, the thought of hurting Bubba, in the end, saved his life."

As much as talk-radio talent tends to joke around and be crazy on the air, there's a social responsibility that each have. It comes with the territory. When someone calls in, desperate for help like this man, it's their "duty" (so to speak) to respond. And Bubba and crew did a phenomenal job. Not too many people can say they have had the direct involvement in saving someone's life... Bubba and everyone on his team, can.

Special thanks to the entire BTLS staff for not only doing what is right, but for getting the job done.

October 2007 (3)