According to sister
Susan Cowsill, Barry committed suicide. His body was recovered several months after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. He was going to enter rehab when Katrina hit, and he had asked several family members to help him get out of New Orleans. A tree in a New Orleans park was found with a brass plaque that says, "In honor of Barry Cowsill, who died a true genius on the levee, Sept. 2, 2005." Barry's necklace was wrapped around it, and the friend with whom Barry had been staying was missing a piece of brass. Susan believes Barry put up a memorial to himself and walked into the water.
