Why some fans question the deaths of celebrities: Farrah and Michael: Rest in Peace

As I sat in my doctors office I could hear the buzz of cell phones ringing and people discussing the death of Farrah FawcettFarrah Fawcett and Michael JacksonMichael Jackson. The lady beside me said "Do you even believe it"? It just doesn't seem possible". Of course people were more willing to accept the passing of Farrah Fawcett because of her long term battle with cancer. However, with Michael there seemed to be doubt among many. Later that evening in a restaurant we watched Michael's brother Jermaine say "The cause of my brother's death is still unknown". My friend turned to me and said "It makes you wonder if he really died because for so long he tried and stayed hidden".

It made me think of the deaths of icons previously. Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe died and fans were shocked worldwide. People would not accept the fact that the famous blonde with the curvy figure could actually be gone. After the shock wore off it went from believing she died to there was no way she would take her own life. How could she do that when she seemed to have it all.

Elvis PresleyElvis Presley is another famous figure which people swear they still see sightings of him. Elvis died in 1977. In 1987 Gail Brewer wrote a book titled "Is Elvis Alive" It also didn't help that Elvis's dad Vernon acknowledged at his son's funeral that his corpse looked nothing like him.

Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur died in 1996. In April 2005 CNN wrote a story of Tupac still being alive. Fans everywhere would not accept that the famous/rapper was gone out of their lives.

Why the fixation with celebrities images being that of an eternal being? Maybe because for many their lives are a dream. They are looked up to as idols and worshipped by many. The difference is their lives are under a microscope and their baggage seen by all. When they die it doesn't seem real and fans have to realize they are people such as you and I.

Today we have lost two talented and gifted individuals. I didn't know either of them personally nor do I know the complete stories in either of their lives. What I do know is I wish their families peace and may Farrah and Michael both rest in peace.