Catherine Bach's Husband Peter Lopez Shot Self In Head; Left Suicide Note
May 3 2010, Published 11:24 a.m. ET
Dukes of Hazard star Catherine Bach’s husband Peter Lopez tragically penned a one page suicide note before shooting himself in the head, RadarOnline.com has learned.
The entertainment lawyer was found dead on Friday morning at his home in the San Fernando Valley in California.
A source from the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office revealed to RadarOnline.com: “Lopez pointed a gun at his head and pulled the trigger. The bullet went through and through his brain and he died instantly.
“He killed himself in the backyard and left a one page suicide note also.”
Friends and family of the entertainment lawyer are, not surprisingly, reeling from the news, saying that he showed no outward signs of depression, and trying to fathom what would tip him over the edge to the degree where he would choose to take his own life.
RadarOnline.com spoke exclusively with Lopez's mother, Eleanor, who told us, "I just can't believe it. Catherine called me just now, she said, 'Peter is dead.'
"Catherine said to me, 'Peter's not here anymore, he shot himself.' I can't believe it.
"I just can't believe it, I spoke to him just last night and he seemed fine. I've been in and out of the hospital lately and he has been calling me every night to check on me and make sure I'm OK.
BREAKING NEWS: Catherine Bach's Husband Found Dead
"He never said anything about feeling depressed or anything, I just don't understand this at all.
"He may have had some business problems, he's been going in and out for years with this business of his and, you know, enjoying his work, so why would he do this?
"He liked his work and I used to tell him about programs that I’ve seen of some of his clients. This is not right.
"Catherine is falling apart. I don’t blame her. She’s in shock.
"She says he went up a hill up there. You go up and there’s a platform and you can see the Valley, you know, from the house up there in the backyard. There’s like a viewing spot up there. She says he went up there and he shot himself. I cannot believe it, you know.
"Catherine wasn't there when it happened, she said she came back she couldn’t find him and he was up there on the hill.
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"I feel so bad for his girls you know. They loved him so much. They were at school when it happened. Catherine went to go and get them. I just can’t believe this."
John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the hit 80's show, rushed to his co-star's side as soon as he heard the news. In an exclusive interview with RadarOnline.com, he echoed Lopez's mom's disbelief at the tragedy.
"I saw him only 3 weeks ago, and he seemed fine," Schneider said. "Never underestimate the hard times that we are in, especially if you are a parent.
"I really want to go home and hug my wife and kids."