From what I have heard and read it was suicide, but I can't substantiate that, but I do believe there are others that can or at least know more than I do. Here are a couple of posts by
Judy, Merry's mom.
http://www.newdaynews.com/openhouse/index.cgi/noframes/read/12408
And another from Anneke:
http://www.newdaynews.com/openhouse/index.cgi/noframes/read/10742