Journalist David Oliver Relin, Co-Author of Three Cups of Tea, Takes His Own Life at 49

Posted on December 3, 2012

Journalist David Oliver Relin, co-author of the bestselling yet controversial book Three Cups of Tea, has committed suicide. He was 49. Relin was hired by publisher Viking to write down the stories of traveler Greg Mortenson, who captivated audiences with his tale of being rescued while mountaineering by a tribe of people in Pakistan. Their kindness to him inspired him to raise money to build them schools.

The book sold four million copies, but then 60 Minutes and bestselling author Jon Krakauer questioned the basic facts in the book resulting in a huge scandal. Some readers sued both authors and the publisher, but the case was eventually dismissed. Mortenson was apparently difficult to work with and it turned out that much of what he told Relin was not true. Relin, a respected journalist, had to hire an attorney to defend himself from allegations of fraud over Mortenson's pocketing of money meant for charity and telling wild stories about his philanthropic efforts.

Relin is survived by his wife, sisters and stepfather. Relin's family confirmed he had been suffering from depression and took his own life, although they did not confirm that his depression was related to the Mortenson scandal.