Although the two were never formally married, they became inseparable and eventually had a son, William Burroughs, Jr., together. Constantly in trouble with the law for drug abuse, drug distribution, and lewd behavior, they relocated several times, moving first to New Waverly, Texas, then to New Orleans, and eventually to Mexico City.
In Mexico, she began to deteriorate both mentally and physically. Her relationship with Burroughs also started falling apart; the two rarely spent more than a few minutes a day in each other's presence. Joan soon began ridiculing him in front of their friends because of his effeminacy. On September 6, 1951, she dared him to shoot a water glass off her head (ala William Tell). However, Burroughs "aim was off that night" (Johnson 5). Joan died at 8:30 PM at the Red Cross station in Colonia Roma.
Burroughs maintains that Joan's death was accidental, but the circumstances surrounding it remain controversial. Some believe Burroughs intentionally shot Joan whereas others claim Joan wanted him to shoot her. Whatever