Grappling with his son’s suicide, Michael Madsen still hopes to find answers

Actor Michael Madsen of Reservoir Dogs received a final text from his child that said, “I love you dad,” and nothing more.

According to his father, 26-year-old Hudson Madsen, a prominent Hollywood actor’s son, shot himself in the head after completing his first tour as a U.S. Army Sergeant stationed in Hawaii.

Star of the Kill Bill franchise Madsen told the LA Times, “I am in shock as my son, whom I just spoke with a few days ago, said he was happy-my last text from him was ‘I love you dad.’”

“I saw no indications of depression. It is so terrible and tragic. He went on, “I’m just trying to make sense of it and comprehend what happened.

Hudson, the oldest child of Madsen and his wife DeAnna Madsen, had Quentin Tarantino as his godfather. The next oldest kids were brothers Luke and Kalvin. Madsen has two more boys, Christian and Max, with his former spouse Jeannine Bisignano.


In 2019, he wed Carlie, who posted encouraging remarks about their love on social media. Carlie’s social media accounts reveal that the couple, unable to conceive naturally, was thinking about doing IVF.

Just one week before he died on January 22, 2022, Carlie posted a selfie of herself wearing a hospital gown to Instagram, captioning it with the news that she had recently had a tumor removed.

She continues in the post, “I just want to give a shout-out to my amazing husband!” Throughout the entire process, he has shown a great deal of patience. I had surgery on one of my breasts yesterday to remove a tumor. Carlie went on, “We spent approximately seven hours at the hospital yesterday. He went to Target and purchased me a card, flowers, cozy pajamas, and my favorite candy while I was in surgery! He has also been tremendous in aiding with my recuperation, and I am incredibly appreciative.

A few weeks later, she posted a sweet photo of herself and Hudson to Twitter with the straightforward message, “I miss you so much.” The circumstances surrounding Hudson’s suicide baffled everyone.

According to Madsen, the 64-year-old father expressed his distress about his suicide by saying, “He had typical life challenges that people have with finances, but he wanted a family.” This is mind-blowing, since he was thinking about his future. I just don’t know what went wrong.

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Madsen also revealed that, despite his outward contentment, his son—who had served in Afghanistan—was struggling with mental health concerns. The actor claimed that because his son was keeping his difficulties to himself, he stopped getting counseling when he needed it.

Madsen felt “that officers and rank and file were shaming,” so he asked the military to look into it. However, the investigation’s findings are still under wraps.

Known for his work on Quentin Tarantino’s gory comedies, Madsen was arrested in Malibu at the mansion he had just been evicted from, one month after Hudson committed herself. Madsen was charged with trespassing and was given bail.

The actor has a past criminal history; TMZ reports that he was charged with child endangerment in 2012 and with DUI in 2019 following an SUV accident.

When the actor entered his house and saw that his teenage son was using marijuana, the two got into a fight.According to TMZ, Madsen and his young son got into a violent altercation, and when the police arrived, they saw multiple injuries on the boy. According to reports, Madsen looked to be intoxicated when he was taken into custody. Madsen’s name was disclosed, but not that of the son.

After Hudson passed away, the family released a statement in which they said, “We are crushed and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson.” His memory and light will live on in the hearts of all those who were acquainted with and loved him.

Carlie posts a poignant homage to her spouse, whom she affectionately refers to as “Lump,” on Instagram on January 23, 2023.I have no idea how a year has passed without you. The pain is still exactly the same as it was that day. Every morning when I wake up and every evening before I go to sleep, my thoughts always turn to you. How much I miss you and how much I hurt is beyond words.

“I simply wish you would have spoken with me and told me what was going on that day,” she said. I apologize if you believed that there was no other way to turn things around. I apologize for not seeing the symptoms and for not being able to do more. Regretfully, I let you down. Please know that you are never far from my thoughts or side. Lump, I love you more and I miss you a lot.

Hudson Madsen passed away tragically, leaving behind a husband, best friend, son, and hero. If someone needs to hear it, this is the perfect opportunity to let them know how much you care.

There is always help available, and don’t forget that if you want to talk to someone anonymously, you can call the Suicide Hotline in the United States and Canada at 9-8-8.

Woman Tires of Admirer Who Joins Her Jog Every Morning but Desperately Searches for Him When He Doesn’t Show Up — Story of the Day

Rebecca coped with her depression by organizing her life so there’d be no time for it. She’d been doing that for years since the divorce. Until one persistent stranger decided to interfere with her strict, lonely routine. Little did Rebecca know, he’d become the one person she’d end up missing.

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In the dim light of her bedroom, Rebecca lay on her back, her gaze locked on the digital clock beside her bed.

The numbers read 6:29. She took a steady breath, waiting for the clock to change.

As soon as it clicked to 6:30, the alarm went off, but Rebecca was quick to silence it.

She sat up, threw the covers aside, and rose from the bed with practiced precision.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

First things first—Rebecca smoothed out her sheets, arranging every corner until the bed looked crisp and perfectly made.

She walked into the bathroom, where everything had its place.

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Her toothbrush rested neatly in a holder, the soap was placed just so in a dish, and a small mirror hung over the sink.

Rebecca took a moment to look at her own reflection, her expression calm but distant.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She was forty-seven, with lines of experience and resilience etched onto her face.

Seven years had passed since her divorce, and though the pain had dulled, it had left behind a scar.

Her response to the heartache had been order, discipline, and strict routine. These things brought her a sense of control, something solid to hold onto when life felt chaotic.

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At exactly seven o’clock, Rebecca laced up her running shoes, plugged in her headphones, and stepped outside, ready for her morning jog.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For years, these runs had been her escape, a time to strengthen her body while listening to audiobooks that exercised her mind.

It was her shield against sadness, each step a way to push forward.

But for the past month, something had started to disrupt her carefully designed routine—a neighbor named Charlie, who seemed determined to break through her guarded solitude, one cheerful “good morning” at a time.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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Charlie’s house was right across the street, and every morning, just as Rebecca fell into her steady pace, he would come bounding out, waving his arms like an enthusiastic kid, barely managing to keep his sneakers on.

This morning was no different. Rebecca spotted him out of the corner of her eye as he hopped down his steps, shoving his shoelaces into his sneakers in a hurry to catch up.

She sighed, rolling her eyes and speeding up, hoping he’d get the hint this time. But, as always, Charlie wouldn’t be discouraged so easily.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Rebecca! Wait, it’s me!” he called, his voice cheerful as he jogged over, waving with one hand and holding his side with the other.

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Rebecca pretended not to hear him and kept her eyes straight ahead, her footsteps rhythmic and focused.

But Charlie was determined, and soon he was jogging alongside her, albeit slightly out of breath.

“You’re fast… as always,” he managed between pants, giving her a crooked smile as he tried to match her pace.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca pulled out one of her earbuds and glanced at him, feigning surprise. “Oh, hi, didn’t see you there,” she replied, with just a hint of annoyance.

She had her whole morning planned out, and chatting with her neighbor hadn’t been on the agenda.

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“No problem, totally my fault for being late,” Charlie said, his breath still coming in gasps.

Rebecca could see he was trying hard to keep up, yet he looked pleased just to be running alongside her.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She gave a small, dismissive nod and was about to put her earbud back in when Charlie chimed in again.

“Hey, want to hear a joke?” he asked eagerly, his voice carrying that unbreakable enthusiasm she found both irritating and oddly endearing.

“You’d save more breath if you talked less while running…” she muttered, but he ignored her suggestion.

“Why did the scarecrow get a promotion?” he asked, grinning.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca sighed. She knew better than to indulge him, but she couldn’t help herself.

“I don’t know. Why?”

“Because he was outstanding in his field!” Charlie delivered the punchline with a broad, triumphant grin, his eyes bright with expectation.

Rebecca paused, rolling the joke over in her mind, and against her better judgment, a chuckle escaped her lips.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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She quickly tried to stifle it, but it was too late. Charlie had seen her reaction, and his face lit up with delight.

“See? You smiled! I’m getting better at this,” he noted with satisfaction, practically glowing at his small victory.

Rebecca shook her head, but her smile lingered, however brief.

“I’ll give it to you, that one wasn’t… too bad,” she conceded, still pretending to be unimpressed.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Charlie threw a fist in the air, grinning as if he’d won a prize.

“Finally! Progress!” he cheered, laughing.

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Rebecca picked up her pace again, leaving Charlie struggling to keep up.

Each morning, Rebecca found herself looking forward to the sight of Charlie bounding out of his house with his untied sneakers and his cheerful grin.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His silly jokes that once made her roll her eyes had grown on her, and she found herself smiling more often, even laughing aloud, which was something she hadn’t done in a long time.

More surprising to her, she had started to slow her pace—just a bit—so they could talk longer.

Charlie’s enthusiasm and light-heartedness had a way of softening the strict walls Rebecca had built around herself.

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He had even managed to slip past her strict routine, something she thought no one could do.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As she laced up her shoes and looked out the window, Rebecca found herself glancing at his house, as she had started doing most mornings. Today, though, something felt different.

The door to his house was shut tight, and there was no sign of him.

She checked her watch and waited, telling herself not to worry. But after a few more minutes passed, doubt crept in.

This wasn’t like Charlie—he was always so excited to join her.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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She hesitated, feeling a strange mix of concern and disappointment, but finally, she walked over to his house and knocked on the door.

She tapped her foot as she waited, glancing around and hoping he’d just forgotten to wake up. But there was no answer.

She rang the doorbell again, then leaned close to the window, peeking inside, but the rooms were still and quiet.

“Charlie! Are you there?” she called, trying to keep her voice steady. “Come on, you’re missing our jog!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She hoped he’d suddenly appear, laughing and apologizing for being late. But all she heard was silence.

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Just then, an elderly voice spoke from nearby.

“Who’s shouting out here?” Startled, Rebecca turned to see Mrs. Lewis, an elderly woman who lived next door to Charlie, watching her with curiosity.

“Oh, Mrs. Lewis,” Rebecca said, feeling embarrassed for the outburst.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I usually run with Charlie, but he didn’t show up today. Maybe he overslept,” she added, her voice quieter, almost as if she were speaking to herself.

She felt a pang of worry, wondering if maybe he simply didn’t want to run with her anymore.

Mrs. Lewis shook her head, looking concerned.

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“Overslept? Oh no, dear. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance last night.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat.

“The hospital? What happened to him?”

Mrs. Lewis sighed, clearly upset herself.

“I’m not sure. I only saw the ambulance pull up and take him away. It’s such a shame. Poor man lives alone with no one to watch over him.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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Rebecca stood there, processing the news, a wave of guilt and worry washing over her.

She had only known Charlie for a short while, but in that time, he had somehow become a part of her life, someone she looked forward to seeing.

Without a second thought, Rebecca thanked Mrs. Lewis, turned around, and headed back home to grab her purse and keys. There was only one hospital nearby, and she needed to find him.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca felt her heart racing as she walked through the bustling halls of the hospital, the antiseptic smell filling her nose and making her even more anxious. She took a steadying breath as she approached the reception desk, hoping to sound calm.

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“Good morning,” she said, her voice just a bit shaky. “I’m looking for a patient who was admitted last night. His name is Charlie.”

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, looking over her glasses. “Do you have a last name, ma’am?”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca felt herself blush. “No, sorry… I only know him as Charlie. We just… met recently,” she admitted, realizing how strange it must sound.

The receptionist gave her a slightly skeptical look. “You do know that only family or close relatives are typically allowed to visit patients, right?”

“I… I’m his girlfriend,” she blurted, surprising even herself.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The receptionist’s eyes softened as a small smile crept onto her face. “Girlfriend, huh?” She tapped a few keys on her computer, a slight twinkle in her eyes.

“You might as well learn his last name, then. You’ll need it if he’s going to be around,” she said with a wink.

“Charlie Sanders. Room 113. I’ll take you there.”

Rebecca felt her heart flip as she whispered a quick “thank you” and followed the receptionist down the hall.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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Before they even reached the room, she could hear Charlie’s familiar laughter, his voice carrying through the doorway as he shared a joke with someone in the room.

The receptionist rapped gently on the wall to announce Rebecca’s arrival.

“Charlie, there’s a lady here to see you… she says she’s your girlfriend,” she added, a hint of playfulness in her voice as she glanced at Rebecca.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Charlie’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. “Yes, yes! Rebecca, come on in. Of course, she’s here for me,” he said with a grin, gesturing for her to come closer.

Rebecca felt a rush of relief as she walked over to sit beside him.

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Charlie looked tired but cheerful, as if the hospital gown and the IV were just minor inconveniences in his day.

She glanced at him, both relieved and exasperated. “Girlfriend, huh?” Charlie teased, raising his eyebrows playfully.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca gave him a mock-scowl. “I had to say something to get in here, didn’t I? And you missed our jog this morning! What happened?” she asked, a touch of concern creeping into her voice.

Charlie sighed, shifting slightly in the bed.

“Well… it’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but those jogs? Not exactly great for my health.”

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Rebecca’s face fell. “What do you mean?”

He glanced down, looking a little sheepish.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I have a heart condition. Doctor’s orders are to avoid anything too intense… like trying to keep up with you,” he admitted with a wry smile.

Her heart sank, and she shook her head in disbelief.

“Charlie, why didn’t you tell me? You shouldn’t have been running at all!”

Charlie gave a small, lopsided smile.

“Well… if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have seen you. I wouldn’t have gotten to know you.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca felt her face soften, a mix of surprise and affection warming her heart.

“So you were willing to risk your health just to talk to me?” she asked quietly, looking him in the eye.

He nodded, his expression turning serious.

“Yes,” he said simply.

“I’ve watched you every morning, jogging at the same time, like clockwork. I’ve seen you give things to charity, help the neighbors. You’re… you’re someone special, Rebecca.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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Rebecca felt a lump form in her throat, his words striking her in a way she hadn’t expected.

She reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

“Charlie,” she said, her voice soft, “you don’t need to run to spend time with me. How about dinner at my place instead?”

Charlie’s face broke into a warm smile.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Now that sounds a lot safer for my heart,” he replied, his eyes shining. “I think the doctor would definitely approve.”

Rebecca chuckled, feeling the tension in her chest ease as they shared a smile.

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“I hope so,” she murmured, looking forward to an evening that didn’t involve heart-stopping runs but instead a quiet meal with someone who, in a short time, had become surprisingly important to her.

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

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