During the late 60s Seberg had become increasingly political. She used her fame to support causes ranging from The Black Panther Party to Native American schools to the NAACP. Her increasing participation in social justice causes, particularly groups branded radical at the time such as the Black Panthers, got the attention of J Edgar Hoover who pronounced Seberg 'dangerous'. Increasingly aware of the survelliance and wire tapping the government began to keep tabs on her, she spiralled down into a world of anxiety. Especially since she also developed a relationship with a student activist named Carlos Nevarra.
In 1970 she became pregnant with Nevarra's child and the FBI swooped in stop Seberg's career and consequently, public image and political pull. They leaked a false story that she was pregnant by a Black Panther Party leader, cheating and lying to her current boyfriend Nevarra about her affair and pregnancy, while also exposing to her husband Romain Gary that she had cheated on him and was pregnant. Gary divorced her and Seberg was beside herself with grief and fear of the government's mounting interest to stalk andintimdate her. She delivered the baby shortly after the rumour and the baby died days later. Seberg said the FBI rumour caused her so much grief that she prematurely gave birth, leading to the child's death.
She developed a dependence on prescription drugs and alcohol. Every year that marked the birthday of her deceased daughter she attempted to commit suicide.
In 1979, Seberg went missing and was found dead a week later in car parked near her Paris apartment. A high level of barbituates andalchol was found in her system along with a suicide note in her hand simply saying "Forgive me, I can no longer live with my nerves". Her death was instantly ruled suicide, though some question how she could have operated her car in that state and with out her contact lenses to see. She was aged 40 when she died and her second husband Romain Gary commited suicide soon after her. Her son, Alexandre Gary still survives.
