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Obituaries

Adolf Merckle | German billionaire, 74

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Adolf Merckle, 74, a German billionaire, committed suicide after his business empire ran into trouble in the financial crisis, throwing himself in front of a train near his home, authorities and his family said.

Mr. Merckle's body was found Monday in Blaubeuren in southwestern Germany, according to prosecutors.

His business interests ranged from pharmaceuticals to cement, and his troubles had recently been compounded by losses on shares in the automaker Volkswagen AG.

Mr. Merckle's holding company, VEM Vermoegensverwaltung, recently had been in talks with banks to secure credit after its business interests ran up high levels of debt and also lost value amid the global financial crisis.

- AP

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