In Virginia, 'Victory' for Those Affected by Suicide

Virginia is set to erase a crime that's been on the books for hundreds of years: taking one's own life. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a bill ending suicide's status as a common-law crime in the state, with the change taking effect in July 2027, per WTOP. There has never been a specific criminal penalty, but supporters say the move is about removing stigma, especially for people who survive attempts and for grieving families. "It also impedes certain people, particularly surviving spouses of military members who die by suicide, from being able to receive benefits as surviving spouses or children," Spanberger said Tuesday, per WFXR.

The law also orders state insurance regulators to study how the change could affect policies and report back by later this year. For Jennifer Clardy Chalmers and her brother-in-law, Steve Mittendorff, the timing is personal. This week marks a decade since Fairfax County firefighter Nicole Mittendorff died by suicide in Shenandoah National Park. Chalmers recalls being told her sister was a criminal who'd violated "God's law and man's law." Decriminalizing suicide, Chalmers says, "removes ... that extra sting." Steve Mittendorff called it a "victory" for families affected by suicide and said society is increasingly recognizing suicide attempts as a mental health crisis, not as a matter for the courts.