Footage of Christine Chubbuck's live television suicide exists, according to widow

Footage of the infamous suicide of a news anchor who shot herself in the head on live television still exists, contrary to popular belief all copies of the tape had been destroyed.

Florida newsreader Christine Chubbuck was 29-years-old when she shot herself on air in 1974, creating a mysterious persona that captivated the world.

Two films featuring at this year’s Sundance Film Festival focus around her life and the lead up to her death.

The movies delve into the dark life of Chubbuck, who began planning her suicide after years of dealing with depression.

On the morning of July 15, 1974, Chubbuck started her show with a news broadcast, telling producers of the show she had written her own script.

“In keeping with Channel 40’s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts and in living colour, you are going to see another first – attempted suicide,” she said, while staring down the barrel of the camera.

She then pulled out a revolver, held it behind her right ear and pulled the trigger.

Some reports state the broadcaster stopped the live feed and dumped the vision before it could go to air, however other sources say police were inundated with phone calls from the mortified public after they saw the shooting on tv.

Witnesses said the reporter slumped forward and hit her head on the desk before falling to the floor.

She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but was pronounced dead 14 hours later.

All copies of the footage were thought to be deleted by the broadcaster, with police giving the last tape to Chubbuck’s family.

Distraught, her family also destroyed the vision.

Now, sparked by a renewed curiosity in the case, it has been revealed one copy of the footage exists.

The owner of the news station gave the last tape to his wife, Mollie Nelson, before he died.

Mrs Nelson told US magazine Vulture she does not intend to make the footage public and has given the tape to a “very large law firm” for security.

Chubbuck's family said her lack of personal relationships was the defining cause of her depression.

She was reportedly desperate to be married and hated the fact that she was a virgin and had only ever been on two dates.

Four years before her death, she overdosed on drugs in an apparent suicide attempt and was under the care of a psychiatrist up until the weeks before her death.

The films Christine and Kate Plays Christine screened at the festival in January.

News break – June 10