ABSTRACT:The individual who talks of killing others, but then kills himself, has received little attention in the psychiatric literature. This paper describes four young men who shared a number of features, including the initial threat of homicide, which the authors feel represent a serious suicidal syndrome. A striking aspect of these cases is the denial of violent potential by all concerned, including the evaluator. The latter's need to deny his own aggressive and hostile impulses may prevent his acknowledging them in others. The paper concludes with recommendations for evaluation of such patients.