American journalist found dead in Beirut

The body of an American journalist was found on Beirut's Raoushe shore on Sunday and police said the cause of death was a high fall resulting from an accident or suicide

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The dead body of John Michael Hall, 48, was discovered by a fisherman around noontime. He had been dead for at least six hours and suffered from a skull fracture and broken legs

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They added initial investigation showed Hall had either slipped or committed suicide. The possibility of a murder was not being seriously considered, they said

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They said that Hall made some phone calls to the United States before leaving his hotel room for the seashore in Raoushe. Police added that an empty bottle of Vodka was found in his hotel room

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Hall had worked for the English-language Daily Star newspaper in 1984 before it closed down. He returned to Beirut from the United States two weeks ago and had been working on trial basis at the daily, which resumed publication last year

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The Daily Star said Hall had been staying with the newspaper's editor who reportedly asked Hall to leave because of his drinking habits.