Actress Jennifer Syme 2001 Westwood Village Cemetery

Jennifer Maria Syme (December 7, 1972 – April 2, 2001) was an American actress and production assistant. She was best known for her relationship with actor Keanu Reeves.

Early life and career

Syme was born in Pico Rivera, California, where she lived for the first eighteen years of her life. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, she landed a job working for director David Lynch. Syme had a few minor film roles including a part in Lynch's Lost Highway. She later joined the staff of a music label. She was also a personal assistant to Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction and, later, the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Death

On April 1, 2001, Syme attended a party at musician Marilyn Manson's home. After being driven home by another party guest shortly before dawn, she left her home, reportedly to return to the party. On the morning of April 2, 2001, Syme drove her 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee into a row of parked cars on Cahuenga Boulevard in Los Angeles. She was ejected from the vehicle and died instantly. Syme was 28 years old.[1]

Syme is buried next to her daughter, Ava Archer Reeves (born stillborn in December 1999 from father Keanu Reeves), in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Aftermath

In tribute to Syme’s memory, David Lynch dedicated the 2001 film Mulholland Drive to her.[2] Marilyn Manson wrote a song about her: “Just a Car Crash Away” in his Eat Me, Drink Me album in 2007.

In April 2002, Syme’s mother, Maria St. John, sued Marilyn Manson for wrongful death for giving Syme “various quantities of an illegal controlled substance”[3] and for "instructing [Syme] to operate a motor vehicle in her incapacitated condition."[4] Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Manson issued a statement denying responsibility for Syme's death, stating that the lawsuit was "completely without merit."[4]

An investigation into the accident concluded that Syme, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was inebriated at the time of the accident. Reports also stated that police found two rolled up dollar bills that contained a white, powdery substance and two bottles of prescription drugs, a muscle relaxant and an anticonvulsant.[5] Syme's mother told police her daughter was seeking treatment for back pain and depression just a few days prior to her death.[5]

Filmography

Actress

Lost Highway (1997)
Ellie Parker (2005)

Production assistant

Hotel Room (1 episode, 1993)
Lost Highway (1997)

References

1. "Film Notes: Keanu Reeves' Girlfriend Killed". abcnews.go.com. 2002-04-05.
2. "Marilyn Manson denies crash claim". bbc.co.uk. 2002-04-08.
3. TheSmokingGun.com: Archive - Jennifer Syme lawsuit
4. Vineyard, Jennifer (2002-04-09). "Manson May Fight Wrongful Death Suit With Countersuit". mtv.com.
5. Vineyard, Jennifer (2002-04-03). "Marilyn Manson Accused Of Contributing To Friend's Death". VH1.com.