Sam Buffington October 12 1931 May 15 1960 was an American actor whose short career included performances on stage radio film and television He was the star of the CBS radio series Luke Slaughter of Tombstone during 1958 and was one of three regular cast members on the Whispering Smith television series While Buffingtons wife Pat was in Palm Springs California he wrote a note to her locked himself in the bathroom sealed air passages under the door and window and turned on a gas jet When she returned home on Sunday evening May 15 1960 she had to breakin the bathroom door Buffington was dead his note apologized to her for not being able to support her and requested cremation Buffingtons friends expressed surprise at the note since he had made over 20000 the year before and had good career prospects