According to the police on December 18, Jonghyun sent text messages foreshadowing his death to his older sister. The idol reportedly texted, "It's been hard", "Let me go. Tell me I've worked hard. This is my farewell."

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Upon receiving the suicidal messages, Jonghyun's sister called the police around 4:42 pm KST, and reported, "My dongsaeng sent me suicidal text messages."

Police found Jonghyun at a residential hotel in Seoul around 6:10 pm. He was in a cardiac arrest at the time and was immediately rushed to the hospital. However, he was officially declared dead in the evening. 

Based on the text messages and burnt coal found at the scene, the police suspect suicide. The investigation is currently ongoing.

If you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm or suicide, seek help as soon as possible by contacting agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention in the United States and abroad.