Roman Lyashenko - Death

Death

While on vacation in Antalya, Turkey with his mother and sister, Lyashenko was found dead in his hotel room on July 7, 2003. His death was initially reported to be a suicide. Reports by Turkish police confirmed this, stating that Lyashenko had left a suicide note and attempted to cut his arms and wrists before hanging himself. A Turkish police officer, speaking anonymously, said that Lyashenko apologized for killing himself in the note. New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather said of Lyashenko, "Roman was a quality individual who had a positive impact on everyone he touched, both on and off the ice." Dallas Stars general manager Doug Armstrong expressed similar sentiments: "Roman was a quality young man who we were privileged to have in our organization for three years." Lyashenko was buried in Yaroslavl on July 12, 2003. In a strange coincidence, Lyashenko's death was followed shortly by the suicide of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Trevor Ettinger, who might have been an opponent in the AHL during the following season.