Posted on 5th December 2002.

Dear ** and all who are shocked and saddened by the picture of River after his tragic death - 

I want to reassure you, if I can.

I just saw the picture for the first time. I have very great doubts about the authenticity of this picture. And I have no doubts at all that it should not be important to us. I have just got out my personal diary for November 3 and 4, 1993.

Arlyn (Heart) called me at my home in Mexico City in the morning of November 3 and asked me to come. I quickly has to change my previous plans, because I was due to fly from Mexico City to Honduras that

evening, to give a workshop to teachers the following weekend. Instead I flew from Mexico City to Miami, then in a small plane to Gainsville ... and on the 5th went to Honduras.

When I first arrived at the airport in Gainesville, shortly after dark, Liberty and her boyfriend were at the airport to pick me up. We went directly to the funeral home, to view and pray for River. Then we went to the family home, out in the country, where Heart and John, Rain, Joaquin and Summer were all gathered... and we leant on one another in our sorrow ... with the arriving dozens of close friends from all around the world, and with a lot of effort to keep the media far away. I did not stay on the ranch that night, but was

taken to a Bed and Breakfast in Gainesville, where River's agent and a few others were staying.

The next day I spent the morning speaking softly to family and friends, and preparing the ceremony. It was held at 2:00 pm in the meadow, under a large tree.

At 9:00 that night, when everything had settled down and many had left, I went with just the Phoenix family and a couple friends for a "short, last visit" with River's remains before the cremation, which was scheduled for the next morning. The "short" visit lasted three hours... till midnight.

What I am saying, is that I saw River in the coffin several times, and NEVER did he look anything like what is in that awful picture. If it is not a montage of some kind, I would bet it was taken in a temporary coffin in Los Angeles before his remains were flown to Florida. He DEFINITELY did not look so horrible as in that picture when we told him goodbye. He looked very much at peace, very beautiful.

I don't know if anyone took pictures, I certainly didn't. Security was very tight so I don't think media photographers ever got close.

It was NOT the last image of River here on earth. I repeat - he looked peaceful and beautiful at the end. I was there. I can swear to that.

But anyway - in this world (and the next) what is most important is not the quality of our death, but of our life. And that is where - in the family, in the movies, in the relationship with his friends and fans - that we find the real River - we find the most positive, impressive, affirming and loving picture of him.

Don't let the macabre defeat you. Choose life!

With love and prayers,

Father Steve