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

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.



Reader Comments

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16. or was he a keffer?

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

17. Mel just announced that he will be holding a special church service for the dead man at Mel's private religious compound.

Posted at 2:32PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

18. HOW DESPARATE THIS POOR MAN MUST HAVE BEEN TO KILL HIMSELF IF I WERE MEL I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM HELP TO GET OUT OF HIS FINANCIAL WOES...WHAT A SHAME

Posted at 2:36PM on Mar 20th 2008 by nuff_said

19. OMG....how insensitive! "..he was on the ropes after a messy divorce" the poor bastid HANGED HIMSELF...that's just wrong!

Posted at 2:50PM on Mar 20th 2008 by TrishaCuse

20. Last.

Posted at 2:40PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Meth Does It

21. he killed himself after Mel refused to loan him $500

Posted at 2:46PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

22. meanwhile, Tom Cruise goes on living. Where is the justice?

Posted at 2:47PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

23. Mel is drunk in that photo, definitely.

Posted at 2:50PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

24. Mel is a fun, and funny drunk. He would be fun to drink with.

Posted at 2:51PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

25. He was definately "desperate and ON THE ROPES"

I am sorry, I have no sympathy for suiciders (is that a word?) ....... You know you can get help somewhere,if you think you are that meaningless in society than you will more than likely not be productive in society. We have enough non-producters (is that a word?)..in society today....the lazy, the criminals, the cheaters, the abusing welfare people the....should i go on???

Posted at 3:01PM on Mar 20th 2008 by going to get crusified for my comment....

26. i heard that all of Mel's kids are drunks and drug addicts

Posted at 3:04PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Rico

27. The financial mess going on in todays world is enough to make anybody lose it
you can only take so much before you give up. Sorry it was at Mels place though

Posted at 4:35PM on Mar 20th 2008 by TTUO2

28. I went to school since elementary with Mike VanDyke and his brother. My sympathies to his friends and family.

Posted at 4:54PM on Mar 20th 2008 by gossip fan

29. TMZ....are you reaching to make this MEL'S FAULT????? I don't care what you report on Mel...he is a good actor, a good family man, and a good person.....I am so tired of hearing that he is a bad man b/c of some drunken slur he made over a year ago....I am jewish and am not offended by him!!!!!!!!!!!!!........................get over this stupid POLITICALY CORRECT way of thinking.........

Posted at 8:07PM on Mar 20th 2008 by get a life

30. He's no victim. Suicide is an aggressive and selfish act. The victims are those who are left to deal with the mess suicide leaves behind; (his parents, grandparents, siblings,kids, friends, coworkers and even bystander Mel himself) who suffer as a result of his actions.

Posted at 3:31PM on Mar 20th 2008 by Queen of Common Sense

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