Celebrity Justice
Suicide Victim on Mel's Property in Movie Biz

Posted Mar 20th 2008 4:06PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has learned the man who committed suicide on Mel Gibson's property was a construction foreman on a number of movie sets, including "The Matrix Reloaded," and "Dr. Dolittle 2," "Star Trek: Nemesis," and "Karate Kid II."

We're told the victim is Michael John Van Dyke. Van Dyke was 48-years-old, and was listed as a prop foreman for the remake of "Psycho."

Sources say Van Dyke was a long-time friend of the contractor hired on Gibson's property and was going through financial troubles. He had no connection to Gibson.

We've learned Michael went through a messy, protracted divorce a few years ago. People who worked with him on the "Star Trek: Nemesis" set say he was in desperate financial shape. His ex-wife is a hair stylist for movies.

Van Dyke had a twin brother, Robert, who also works construction in the film business.

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Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Mel Gibson


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1. how is this celebrity gossip? you guys are really reaching here

Posted at 1:28PM on Mar 20th 2008 by bob

2. Let's see you all behave like Asses now.

I was disgusted before.

Posted at 1:30PM on Mar 20th 2008 by kurtdermenschkrautknabe

3. He committed suicide, he isn't a 'victim'.

Posted at 1:32PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Tabz

4. KARATE KID II - WOW!

AT LEAST HE HAD A TWIN SO THERE IS ONE LEFT............

Posted at 1:33PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rough Daddy

5. I'm glad to hear that it's now Gibson's property and not his "compound."

Posted at 1:33PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Carolyn (Abernathy)

6. He's the victim and the perpetrator!

Posted at 1:34PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rough Daddy

7. You must hate your life immensely to kill yourself in someone else's property/compound. :-( Better pay for propmen!!!

Posted at 1:40PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Helen

8. Now I AM DISGUSTING er .. DISGUSTED :P

Posted at 1:48PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Sassinya

9. Dumb bitch killed the poor guy. REFORM DIVORCE LAWS NOW!!

Posted at 1:53PM on Mar 20th 2008 by anam

10. I've heard of hanging around the jobsite, but this is too much.

Posted at 1:54PM on Mar 20th 2008 by FlBiker

11. Anyone watch SOUTH PARK last night and see how they skewered people like TMZ for their sadistic treatment of Britney Spears? And also condemned all the voyeurs and sick paps and gossip mongers for torturing her?

All of these people were depicted as Children of the Corn. Evil, venal, sick. Right on, South Park!

Interesting too that TMZ hasn't mentioned the show. Gee, something on Britney they haven't commented on? Or are they sitting around trying to figure out how to give it a negative spin and say it was critical of HER?

Posted at 2:05PM on Mar 20th 2008 by bev

12. FIBiker: BWAAAAAHAAAAAA!!!! You ain't right.

Posted at 2:08PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Big Queen

13. How many of us have wanted to hang our construction contractor? Mel just let the other contractors know he means business, get the job done on time/under budget or else!

Posted at 2:18PM on Mar 20th 2008 by FlBiker

14. God rest his soul, and my sympathies to his family and friends. And, yes, you morons, he WAS A VICTIM. Christ.

Posted at 2:27PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Jennie

15. or was he a keffer?

Posted at 2:30PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

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