Finn Michael Westby Caspersen, a 67-year-old White male, died on September 7, 2009, in the coastal town of Westerly, Rhode Island. His death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was ruled a suicide, bringing a tragic end to the life of a prominent financier and philanthropist. There were no arrests made nor any suspects sought in connection with his death.
On that Labor Day, concern for Caspersen's well-being arose when he could not be reached. A family member contacted the Westerly Police, who discovered his body on the grounds of the Shelter Harbor Golf Club. He had died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Near his body, authorities found a. 38-caliber revolver that belonged to him. A note left by Caspersen indicated that he was in constant pain and did not wish to be a burden to his family.
In the time leading up to his death, Caspersen had been contending with significant personal challenges. He was battling kidney cancer and undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments, which had taken a toll on his health. Friends and family noted that his physical condition had deteriorated, and he was reportedly suffering from severe depression. In addition to his health issues, reports surfaced after his death that he was the subject of a federal investigation into alleged large-scale tax evasion, potentially involving tens of millions of dollars in back taxes and penalties.
Caspersen was a well-known figure in the worlds of finance and philanthropy. A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, he had served as the chairman and chief executive of Beneficial Corporation, a major consumer finance company. He was also a significant benefactor to numerous educational institutions, including his alma maters, and was a prominent donor to Republican political candidates. A memorial service held in Morristown, New Jersey, drew hundreds of friends, family, and associates who gathered to remember the complex life of a man known for both his immense generosity and his private struggles.
