9:30 Club’s Josh Burdette died of suicide, medical examiner says

Video: Josh Burdette talks about the first show he saw at the 9:30 club in a 2010 interview. The long-time head of security at the club died Sept. 1 at age 36.

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By Dan Morse, Published: September 5 E-mail the writer

Josh Burdette, the well-known head of security at the 9:30 Club who died Sept. 1, took his own life, according to a ruling by the Maryland chief medical examiner's office. Burdette, 36, was found dead Sunday inside his home in Kensington.
Before the manner of death was confirmed, Montgomery County police said they were investigating the case as a possible suicide.

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D.C. loses a nightlife fixture — 9:30 Club’s Josh Burdette

Adam Bernstein SEP 5

Behind the imposing facade — 6-4 and 340 pounds — was a gentle man and a gentleman gatekeeper.

The popular Burdette cut an imposing figure outside the Washington music venue, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing more than 300 pounds. But he was widely regarded as a gentle person who mostly wanted to see people leave the club with a smile on their faces.
“I know that’s a trite thing to say,” he said in a 2006 interview with The Washington Post, “but my job is to make sure people have fun.”