I read many of his books. The story „Descending“ was one of the first scifi short stories I’ve read and it still gives me the creeps even thinking about it. His poetry and prose was dark, satirical, dealing with death and perdition.

Thomas M. Disch shot himself July 4th, 2008.

Yet another creative mind despaired of life? Yet another suicidal brilliant artist. *sigh*.

Read about Thomas M. Disch at salon.com (it was an escalator, not an elevator, btw., as Neil Gaiman already pointed out).