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

The final text that Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen got from his kid was simply, “I love you dad,” and that was it.

Sergeant stationed in Hawaii who had just completed his first tour when he shot himself in the head, according to his father.

“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,’” Madsen, the star of the Kill Bill franchise, told the LA Times.

“I didn’t see any signs of depression. It’s so tragic and sad. I’m just trying to make sense of everything and understand what happened,” he continued.

The eldest of Madsen’s children with wife DeAnna Madsen was Hudson, whose godfather was Quentin Tarantino. Brothers Kalvin and Luke were the next-oldest children. With his ex-wife Jeannine Bisignano, Madsen has two further boys, Christian and Max.

His wife, Carlie, whom he married in 2019, shared positive social media messages about their relationship. According to Carlie’s social media, the couple was considering IVF because they were unable to conceive naturally.

Carlie uploaded a selfie of herself in a hospital gown to Instagram exactly one week before he passed away on January 22, 2022, stating that she had recently had a tumor removed.

“I just want to give a shout-out to my amazing husband!” she adds in the post. He has been extremely patient throughout the entire procedure. Yesterday, I had surgery to remove a tumor from one of my breasts. Carlie continued, “We were at the hospital for about 7 hours yesterday and while I was in surgery he went to target and got me flowers, comfy pajamas, my favorite candy and a card! He’s also been amazing in helping with my recovery and I’m just so thankful…”

A few of weeks later, she tweeted a cute picture of herself and Hudson along with the simple caption, “I miss you so much.” Everyone was perplexed by the circumstances that led to Hudson’s suicide.

The father, who was 64 at the time, was upset about his suicide and stated, “He had typical life challenges that people have with finances, but he wanted a family,” according to Madsen. He was considering his future, so this is mind-blowing. I simply don’t understand what happened.

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor Madsen also disclosed that his son, who had served in Afghanistan, was dealing with mental health issues behind the scenes of his seeming contentment. The actor stated that his son, who need counseling, stopped seeking assistance because of problems he was keeping to himself.

Madsen asked the military to conduct an investigation because he suspected “that officers and rank and file were shaming,” but the results of the investigation are remained classified.

One month after Hudson committed suicide, Madsen, known for his work on Quentin Tarantino’s bloody comedies, was detained in Malibu at the mansion from which he had just been evicted. Madsen was granted bail after being accused of trespassing.

The actor has a criminal record; according to TMZ, he was charged with child endangerment in 2012 and was charged with DUI in 2019 after wrecking his SUV.

The actor walked into his home, and finding his teenaged son smoking pot, the two got into an argument. TMZ writes, “…Madsen had gotten into a physical fight with his juvenile son–and when cops arrived, they observed several signs of injury on his son. We’re told Madsen also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest.” The son’s name was not released, and Madsen was.

The family issued a statement following Hudson’s passing, writing, “We are crushed and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson. All those who knew and loved him will keep his memories and light in their hearts.

On January 23, 2023, offering a heartfelt tribute to her husband, whom she lovingly calls “Lump,” Carlie writes on her Instagram, “…I don’t even know how it’s been a year without you. It still hurts just as much as it did that day. You’re the first thing I think about everyday when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep at night. I can’t even describe how much I’m hurting and how much I miss you.”

She continued, “I just wish you would have talked to me and told me what was going on that day. I’m so sorry you thought this was the only way to make things better. I’m so sorry I couldn’t do more and I didn’t see the signs. I’m sorry I let you down. Just know you’re always with me and always on my mind. I miss you so much and I love you more Lump.”

The tragic passing of Hudson Madsen marks the loss of a hero, son, best friend, and spouse. It’s time to tell everybody you know that you love them if they need to hear it.

There is always aid available, and keep in mind that you can call the Suicide Hotline in the U.S. and Canada by dialing 9-8-8 if you’d like to speak with someone anonymously.

Music Teacher Offers Free Lessons to ‘Poor’ Boy, Then Discovers His Father’s True Identity — Story of the Day

A former pianist turned school teacher, Lily begins teaching piano to Jay, a talented boy she believes comes from a poor family. Her efforts to nurture his gift take an unexpected turn when she learns the truth about his father’s identity—a revelation that threatens to unravel everything.

Lily sat by the piano, her fingers lightly pressing random keys, filling the room with soft, disconnected notes. She sighed, her mind spinning with worry.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The orchestra had been her life, her dream since she was a child. Now, that dream was gone, and with it, her sense of security. The director had dismissed her without a second thought, choosing his daughter over her.

She had a small job teaching music to a few adults, but it barely covered her rent, let alone food and other expenses. Frustrated, she planted her hands firmly on the keys and began to play one of her favorite melodies, pouring her emotions into every note.

The tune started softly, but as thoughts of her situation flooded her mind, she played harder, her fingers striking the keys with increasing force.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

When the song ended, the room fell into a thick, profound silence, as if absorbing her pain. Her hands dropped limply to her lap, and she gently closed the piano lid, resting her forehead against it. The stillness was comforting, but it didn’t solve her problem.

Over the next few weeks, she scoured job listings, applying to anything remotely related to music. Finally, she found a position as a school music teacher. She didn’t mind teaching—she respected teachers deeply.

Yet, part of her longed to create her own music, to pour her soul into her art, not just guide others in theirs.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But with no other options, she accepted the job. The school was eager to have her; they’d been searching for someone for months.

The first few days were tough. She wasn’t used to working with kids, and they seemed indifferent to her quiet, gentle way of teaching. She tried everything—she played soundtracks from popular movies, catchy pop songs—anything to spark their interest. But nothing seemed to stick.

Then, one afternoon after class, as she wandered down the hallway, a soft melody caught her attention. She followed the sound to her classroom, peeking inside. There, at the piano, was Jay, one of her students. He was playing the exact piece she’d practiced earlier in the day.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Do you play piano?” Lily asked, walking into the room.

Jay flinched, startled. “No… not really. I haven’t played much,” he mumbled, looking down at the keys.

“But you were just playing,” Lily replied, a warm smile spreading across her face. “And very well, especially for someone your age.”

Jay shrugged. “I just remembered how you played it.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Lily blinked, surprised. She knew that even many trained musicians couldn’t play by memory like that. “Would you like to learn?” she asked.

Jay’s eyes brightened, and a small smile appeared on his face. “Really? You’d teach me?”

Lily nodded. But she noticed his face fall as quickly as his excitement had come. “What’s wrong?”

“I… I can’t. I mean, thank you, but… we can’t afford it,” he said quietly.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Lily looked at him thoughtfully. She recalled noticing that he rarely ate lunch with the other kids. He seemed to keep to himself. “You don’t have to worry about paying,” she said gently. “I’ll teach you for free.”

Jay’s face lit up with a huge grin, and without warning, he threw his arms around her. “Thank you!” he said.

Over the next few weeks, Lily and Jay met in the empty classroom after school, their shared enthusiasm filling the room. Lily watched in amazement as Jay played each new piece she showed him, his fingers moving across the keys with surprising ease.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Every note, every chord, every melody seemed to come naturally to him. She taught him music notation, guiding him through each symbol and rhythm.

Yet each time, she marveled—did he even need these lessons? His talent was raw, instinctive, as if he was born to play.

As Jay worked through a new melody one day, Lily smiled and leaned forward. “Have you ever thought about performing?” she asked.

Jay looked up, surprised. “Performing? Like, in front of people?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Yes!” Lily replied. “The school festival is coming up. You could play a piece there. You’re talented enough.”

Jay hesitated, glancing at the piano keys. “I don’t know… What if I mess up?”

“You won’t,” Lily said warmly. “You’re ready, and I’ll help you. We’ll pick a song together, something you feel good about. You could even choose the piece.”

Jay bit his lip, still unsure, but nodded slowly. “All right, I guess I could try.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Lily’s heart soared. She hadn’t felt this excited in a long time. Teaching him, watching his confidence grow—it filled her with a sense of purpose she hadn’t known she needed.

On the day of the performance, Lily moved through the crowded school hallways, searching everywhere for Jay. Her eyes scanned each room, her heart beating a little faster with worry each time she didn’t find him.

He was supposed to close the show, and time was running out. Other teachers stopped her, asking, “Have you seen Jay? Is he ready?”

She shook her head, feeling more anxious with each question. Suddenly, just as she turned toward the stage, Jay rushed in backstage, looking flustered and out of breath.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Quick, I need to go on now, before he sees me,” Jay whispered urgently, glancing toward the stage.

Lily placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, sensing his distress. “Hold on, Jay. Another act is on. Who are you hiding from? Why are you so scared?”

Jay’s face crumpled, his eyes filling with tears. “He won’t let me perform. And if he finds out, he’ll get you fired. I don’t want that to happen,” he said, his voice breaking.

Lily knelt down to his level, speaking calmly. “Jay, slow down. No one is going to fire me. Who doesn’t want you to perform?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jay wiped his eyes and looked down. “My dad,” he murmured.

“Your dad?” Lily echoed, surprised. “Is he… does he hurt you?”

Jay shook his head quickly. “No, he just… he doesn’t want me to play the piano.”

“Why not?” Lily asked softly, puzzled. “I’m not charging you for lessons.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“It’s not about the money. It’s just that—” Jay started to explain but froze as a stern voice called out.

“Jay!” a man shouted sharply. Lily turned, shocked to see Ryan standing there.

Lily recognized him instantly. Ryan—her old classmate from high school. Memories of those days rushed back. Back then, they had been friends, maybe even close friends.

Both had dreamed of a future in music, hoping for the same scholarship to attend the top music university. They’d spent hours practicing together, studying, pushing each other to improve.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Ryan’s family had never approved of his dreams. His parents thought music was pointless, unworthy of their son’s time. But Ryan had continued, driven by his love for it, keeping his ambitions a secret from them.

The day she won the grant was the day everything changed. Ryan had looked at her, hurt and angry, and said she had ruined his life. His words, “I hate you,” had haunted her ever since.

Now, standing before her, she saw that same resentment in his eyes, as if all those years hadn’t passed.

“Jay!” Ryan’s voice rang out sharply. “I told you not to play music. I forbade it!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jay looked down, his voice barely a whisper. “Dad, I can explain…”

Lily, sensing Jay’s fear, turned to him. “You’re not from a poor family?” she asked gently, though she knew the truth. Ryan had inherited his father’s company and was far from struggling.

Ryan scoffed. “Poor family? He probably made that story up so I wouldn’t find out about these lessons. He even stopped eating at school, hoping I’d never suspect it.”

Lily took a steady breath. “But why are you stopping him from playing music?” she asked, looking Ryan in the eye.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Because it’s not something a real man does,” Ryan replied firmly.

Lily felt her heart sink. “Ryan, that’s not your belief—that’s your father’s. The Ryan I knew loved music, loved playing the piano.”

Jay’s eyes widened, surprised. “Dad, you used to play?”

Ryan’s gaze hardened. “The Ryan you knew is gone. I was young and foolish. Now I understand. Music isn’t profitable, and it isn’t masculine.” He reached for Jay’s hand, pulling him away from the stage without another word.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Lily watched Ryan and Jay walk away, her heart pounding. She couldn’t let this end like that. Without hesitating, she hurried through the halls and out to the parking lot. She saw them approaching Ryan’s car, Jay looking down, defeated.

“Wait! Ryan, wait!” Lily called, her voice urgent. “You can’t do this!”

Ryan stopped but didn’t turn. “This is my son,” he said loudly. “I have every right to decide what’s best for him.”

Lily took a breath, stepping forward. “You don’t have the right to take this from him. Jay is talented, Ryan. You know it, and I know it. He deserves this chance.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Ryan turned to face her, his expression hard. “I was talented once, too. I had that chance, but you took it from me. Now, I see it was all nonsense.”

“That’s not true,” Lily said, her voice steady. “You don’t believe that, Ryan. And it wasn’t me who took it away. Your parents refused to support you. They never saw your dreams. I know that hurt, but don’t let it hurt Jay.”

Ryan’s eyes flickered, but he shook his head. “It’s my decision. Jay will not play music.”

Lily’s voice rose with emotion. “Stop this, Ryan! It isn’t fair! You’re denying him something he loves because of your own anger—anger at me, anger at your parents. Jay deserves a chance to be who he is. I could find him another teacher, but he needs this. You can’t crush this dream.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jay’s voice was a whisper, but his words were clear. “Please, Dad. Just listen to me. Let me play.”

Ryan looked at Jay, something softening in his expression. After a long pause, he nodded slowly. “One time,” he said quietly. “You can play once.”

Lily let out a sigh of relief. She led Jay back into the school and guided him onto the stage. He took his place at the piano, his fingers finding the keys. As he played, the room grew silent, captivated by the beauty of his music. Lily glanced at Ryan, and for the first time, she saw tears in his eyes.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“That was my favorite sonata,” he said to Lily, his voice low. “I never had the skill to play it.”

Lily smiled softly. “So, does that mean…” she started, but he nodded, giving his quiet approval. Lily’s heart swelled with pride as she looked at Jay, feeling that he might be her greatest accomplishment.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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