Within the past week there have been two cases of murder-suicide in my state. However, Maryland’s not the only place where this act is popping up and its not crazy to think that murder-suicides involving family are up, because they are. Much of it is driven to the economy, the loss of jobs, etc. Many families who didn’t seem to have major issues before are now finding themselves dealing with major financial hardships.
Don’t ask me why, but for some reason I happened to catch Dr. Phil (who I cannot stand) on Leno last night… oh, yeah, I couldn’t get to sleep. Anyway, I apparently tuned in right around the time that Jay asked Dr. Phil about this violent act. I never thought I would say this, but I agreed with Dr. Phil’s sediments about how, although committing suicide isn’t something that should be condoned, if you’re going to do it, don’t take anyone with you.
Now, I don’t know about you, but if I were married, I would keep an eye on the husband (or wife) just in case. So far, it appears that there hasn’t been much of a history of violence or any flags that would lead anyone to believe that the fathers would commit such a violent act. Then again, we do have the phrase known as, “going postal.”
I realize that many people are finding themselves in very dark holes right now and that things look grim. However, if Donald Trump could dig himself out of bankruptcy to having his own (albeit crappy) reality show, anything is possible. There are also resources out there that people should not be afraid to seek help from. I’m not saying that if you find yourself without a job you should skip around with a stupid grin planted on your face. Hell, I don’t even do that. (I’m not the perky sort.) However, you should start planning a course of action to get back on your feet. Just taking the family with you in death is not the answer.
Filed under: Droppings | Tagged: Economy, murder-suicide, Dr. Phil, Jay Leno
What is scary to me is how many of these have happened lately.
Suicide is selfish enough (unless one has a terminal illness or something) but to take someone with you is just unspeakable. I liked your freudian slip about Dr. Phil’s “sediment”! (If he’s really even a Doctor… I have my doubts)
As for- “We had no idea”, obviously a healthy person would never think of an act like this. However, I do think we can usually pick up on people being “off”.
It is frightening the rising number we’re seeing today.
This happened several years ago with an elderly couple who were close friends of my family. Rising medical bills overwhelmed the husband and he took his life and hers too. It was especially unfortunate in that they had a very tight-knit family, but he didn’t feel he should place the financial burden on their children, so instead of asking for help, he went with a more devastating solution.
I agree with you about Dr. Phil and not crazy about Leno either..
I’m a Letterman fan and also adore Craig Furguson.
Suicide usually is done by someone who is depressed or grieving.
Recently in a Mpls Suburb a young man distraught over a breakup with his girl friend , gunned her down at a McDonalds,.
then killed him self when the police pulled him over on the highway.
The 20 something man was a high school honor student and former football star.
My guess is, there was also something else going on in his life that we don’t know about,
Whatever.. they are still both dead.
Have always wondered why someone needed to be taken along? What’s the point…if you are going to kill yourself? Especially when young children are involved. Nothing makes sense with mental illness…