In the early 2000’s, the paths of actor Keanu Reeves and Marilyn Manson would cross in a truly tragic way.
It seems like a strange pair given how different Marilyn Manson and Keanu Reeves are perceived in the media. Reeves has been held up as one of the friendliest and down to earth actors in Hollywood, while Manson was usually known for his shock persona. The actor and musician would cross paths in 2001 due to a horrific event.
Marilyn Manson Hosts Party with Jennifer Syme in Attendance
On April 1, 2001, Marilyn Manson hosted a party at his LA home. In attendance was a woman named Jennifer Syme, who was dating Reeves at the time. Reeves was not in attendance at the party.
According to MTV News, at the party, Syme consumed “various quantities of an illegal controlled substance” that were allegedly given to her by Manson and shortly before dawn, an attendee at the party gave her a ride home back to her house.
Another report claimed that Manson noticed Syme’s condition and told her to go home to get some rest and sent her away with a designated driver.
Once she arrived at home, Jennifer Syme got into her 1999 Jeep Cherokee and collided with three parked cars in Hollywood. News reports seemed to indicate that Syme had gotten into her car with the intention of returning to Manson’s party.
“After Jennifer was sent home safely with a designated driver, she later got behind the wheel of her own car for reasons known only to her…” – Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson would issue a statement on April 3, 2001, “After Jennifer was sent home safely with a designated driver, she later got behind the wheel of her own car for reasons known only to her. Her death is sad and tragic.”
Jennifer Syme Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Investigators determined that Syme was not wearing a seatbelt and was under the influence. She was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of April 2, 2001.
At the site of the crash, police found two rolled up dollar bills which had residues of white powder and prescription medication including a muscle relaxant and anti-seizure medication which warns users not to operate heavy machinery or vehicles.
Jennifer Syme’s mother claimed that her daughter was recovering from a back injury after being involved in a car accident several days prior. In addition, Syme was also battling depression.
Syme moved to LA in the early 90’s to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She landed a job as assistant to director David Lynch and also worked as an assistant to Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist, Dave Navarro. She even appeared briefly in the Lynch directed film, Lost Highway.
Marilyn Manson credited Syme as brokering the relationship between himself and director David Lynch, writing in his 1998 book The Long Hard Road Out of Hell, “Our relationship with Lynch had begun two years ago. At the time, everybody else had dismissed her as a name-dropping groupie. But when it came down to it, her claim was not only true, it resulted in an offer for us to collaborate with him on the soundtrack to his new movie, Lost Highway, as well as appear in the film.”
Keanu Reeves Meets Jennifer Syme at Promotional Party
In 1998, Syme met Reeves at a promotional party for his band Dogstar. While they weren’t married yet, the Guardian reported Reeves bought the couple a house where they lived together until she became pregnant in 1999. Sadly, their child Ava Archer Syme was born at the eight month mark and was stillborn. A few weeks after the couple’s loss, they split up. The loss of their child resulted in Syme going on medication to deal with her grief.
While many news outlets reported Syme and Reeves were broken up at the time of her death, MTV had reported that Reeves told investigators that the couple were in fact back together.
“Grief changes shape, but it never ends…” – Keanu Reeves
While Reeves has never publicly named Syme, he has talked about loss and grief in various interviews. He told Parade magazine in 2006, “Grief changes shape, but it never ends. People have a misconception that you can deal with it and say, ‘It’s gone, and I’m better.’ They’re wrong. When the people you love are gone, you’re alone.”
It is that grief that Reeves dealt with that he channeled into his character John Wick. He remarked on the role, “I thought it was one of the foundations of the role. I love his grief. I relate to that, and I don’t think you ever work through it. Grief and loss don’t ever go away.”
At Syme’s funeral, Reeves acted as a pallbearer, as did Dave Navarro and film director David Lynch. At the time of her death, Syme was only 28 years old and she was buried next to her daughter in Westwood Village Memorial Park, Los Angeles.
Following Jennifer Syme’s death, director David Lynch dedicated the 2002 movie, Mulholland Drive to her.
Jennifer Syme’s Mother Files Lawsuit Against Marilyn Manson
Syme’s mother, Maria St. John filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson blaming the shock rocker for her daughter’s death, claiming he supplied her with the drugs and encouraged her to get behind the wheel.
“…It is a pity that St. John sullies her own daughter’s reputation by filing this baseless claim.” – Marilyn Manson
MTV reported that Syme’s mother was seeking $25K plus lawyer fees. Syme’s mother cited the California Health and Safety Code’s Drug Dealer Liability Act as the basis for her lawsuit. Marilyn Manson at the time, was contemplating filing a countersuit for defamation and released a statement that read, “This lawsuit, which is completely without merit, will not bring back Jennifer’s life. It serves only to reopen the wounds and the pain felt by all who loved Jennifer. It is a pity that St. John sullies her own daughter’s reputation by filing this baseless claim.”
It would appear that the lawsuit would be settled out of court.
Like this story? Check out The Tragic & Mysterious Death of Johnny Thunders
Check out our YouTube channel