ICON COMMITS SUICIDE ?

BURY ME ELMO

Surprise, Az. (UPI) - Sesame Street mainstay "Elmo" has taken his own life, according to hospital officials in this small desert community just outside of Phoenix. Police have not ruled out foul play, however. The childrens' icon was in a convalescent home, recovering from a septic rectal infection, and was found hanging by the neck this morning when the cleaning staff entered his room. He was last seen alive on Friday, when nurses changed the dressing on his bandages following surgery late last week. He had recently complained to friends that the staff wouldn't stop tickling him, causing the wound area to re-open several times. A note was found in the room, and the FBI has been called in to validate it's authenticity, a clear indicator that the authorities have a suspect or suspects for a possible murder case.

Two orderlies and an intern are currently being held for questioning.