 The previous fall he had stood bail for Luther Boddy, an accused murderer of two police detectives, taking on a $10,000 surety bond.The client (Boddy) disappeared, leaving Wheaton facing financial ruin.On January 15, 1922, after searching the city for the escaped accused murderer with the help of friends and colleagues, a despondent Wheaton committed suicide by inhaling gas at his home at 208 West 137th Street; his body was found by his son.