why?  he closed it himself?

he closed it himself. i told him i wouldn't let him close it. :) i have re-opened it for posterity's sake. too much good stuff from him.

Can you give us the reason why or is that strictly confidential?

typical celebrity burnout ;)

Wow that's a shame.

Who's Rael?

This is a shame. He was my favourite opponent on this site.

Rael, if you read this... you've got my email address. Feel free to send me a message any time.

Didn't this happen once before, and he came back? (if I remember right).

Who and why was this "celebrity" ?

Officially the most searched non-staff member on chess.com.

i guess the groupies got too much, he'll be ack once he regains his strength

 Okay, but why?

I'm not completely sure really. He's a pretty intelligent guy and it seems like he's been with chess.com since the dawn of time. A little inflammatory at times..

It did, and he did. 

He probably just needs a break from here... He may have some serious personal issues preventing him from being able to deal with anything else right now.

 Yep. I wouldn't worry yet. Wait a month first.

Isn't this his SECOND time closing his account? Do we send another e-mail trying to get him back? Or is he gone for good this time?

ADK

I'm going to email him, not to get him back, just to wish him well. He may come back later himself.. he obviously needs some time to himself.... how long who knows.... a week, a month, a year, indefinitely?

Just a quick thought, aside from Rael, whose account is kept open even after they choose to close their account? I only know of two so far: cheater_1 and Rael. 

ADK

Masterful_Forfeit's account is still open, even though inactive here...

and also Ray_Brooks was last time I looked.