MusicGeeks

Vertigo Butterfly
09/09/2007
Their myspace page proclaims "for better or wHearse". Luray Kuca and John Kuca, the only two members of the band Vertigo Butterfly proved that eerily true with a hose from the exhaust pipe of their 1966 hearse that pumped carbon monoxide into their sealed bedroom. Their 5-year-old daughter Ruby, died along with them.

Vertigo Butterfly released their one and only CD this year, but were in the pre-planning stages of a second CD. A visit to their myspace site will give you an opportunity to hear the classical guitar and mandolin of John Kuca and the haunting vocals of his wife, Luray. John played all the instruments, including drums. Luray provided the vocals and often wrote the songs. The songs are melancholy with an accoustic, coffee-house sound. Labeling themselves accoustic/rock/alternative they could just as easily have written beatnik/indie for the music is smooth and moody; the lyrics soaked in meaningful messages.

Their myspace site prominently features the hearse they dubbed "Big Ben". I note there were a lot of hits today, a lot of people playing their songs. Unfortunately, the suicide may be the catalyst that makes people listen and now it is too late, there will be no more.

In an email received Thursday night by a family friend, Todd Richards, John Kuca stated that Luray had cancer and he could not face life without her, urging that friends who wanted to see her should visit "sooner rather than later". Although Richards alerted police, by the time they arrived it was already too late. John Kuca and daughter Ruby were dead. Luray was unconscious and died shortly thereafter.

Vertigo Butterfly's Myspace

I don't want to live in the shadows, I just want to fly through the meadows. Everything is easy once you break free "To Be Me" - Vertigo Butterfly

MusicGeeks

vanessa
I am totally disgusted what a plan .....kill everyone cause I don`t wanna live without you.... wa wa wa wa JOHN LUCA ......christ john kuca is a moron lets kill our only beautiful daughter.......WTF?
Date Added: 16/09/2007

Andrea
I agree. I think it's odd too that there is this sudden announcement of terminal cancer with no one having prior knowledge, and to take the innocent child along with them was selfish.

But looking over their myspace friends, quite a few of them are dead and have been for years, like Marlene Dietrich and Edie Sedgwick. Maybe that means something.
Date Added: 16/09/2007

klavikle
I suspect that Luray wasn't in on the deal. Maybe she and Ruby turned in for the night and john did everything else. :(
Date Added: 24/09/2007

Andrea
I've wondered along those lines myself, klavikle. It was so sudden and strange. I guess we won't ever really know.
Date Added: 24/09/2007

K
The investigation into their death is still going on. Luray was not suicidal. They found out that day that the cancer was advanced, but they had an appointment with the dr. the following wednesday. Ray was asking me to help her find a lawyer to set-up Ruby's future. She was not suicidal and wanted to stay with Ruby as long as her body let her. She was extremely weak from the chemo and needed assistance getting out of bed. Just to clarify, there is NO way she could have physically set any of this up, and NO way she would have ever wanted to end Ruby's life. She knew Ruby was special and had a lot to give the world. Ray was amazing and her daughter was too. They are missed very much.
Date Added: 02/10/2007

Andrea
K, sounds like you knew the situation and if what you say is true, it is very sad indeed. I cannot imagine a mother, regardless of her heartache and fears over not being able to see her little girl grow up, taking that child's life rather than experience the sadness. I hope that the questions are answered someday, and that their friends and family can find peace.
Date Added: 02/10/2007

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