Posts Tagged ‘suicide’
Monday, February 6th, 2012
(Family released photo) Powell Family
Investigators in Washington say Susan Powell’s husband, Josh, and her two children, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, were killed by their father on Sunday afternoon. Authorities say a case worker dropped the children off at the Powell home near Tacoma, Wash. on Sunday, when Josh pushed the worker out of the way and brought the children inside. In matter of moments, there was an explosion and a fire. Investigators confirm they took three bodies from the scene, two children and one adult. They also confirm that the explosion was intentional.
Reports indicate Josh sent an e-mail just minutes before the explosion to his attorney saying, “I’m sorry, goodbye.” Josh lost custody of his children five months ago when investigators executed a search warrant on his father’s home and found child pornography.
Susan Powell went missing on Dec. 6, 2009 and has not been found. Josh said he took Charlie and Braden camping, in the middle of a snowstorm, during the night. Josh claims when he returned, Susan was nowhere to be found. He was the only public person of interest named in this case.
Tags: children, explosion, josh powell, missing, murder, suicide, susan powell
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
Arthur Schirmer
A former Pastor in Pennsylvania is charged with his second wife’s murder. Additionally, the District Attorney in the next town over is re-opening an investigation into the death of his first wife.
Authorities say Arthur Schirmer, 62, is charged with criminal homicide and evidence tampering in the death of his wife, Betty Jean Schirmer, in July 2008. A judge ruled this week that there is enough evidence in the case to proceed to trial. Schirmer claims he was involved in a minor accident that took the life of his wife, but the damage to the vehicle, along with many other contributing factors, indicate that it may have been impossible for her to die in the accident. Investigators say a passerby stopped to assist in the wreck when Schrimer’s car lightly struck a guardrail. The accident was so minor that the airbags didn’t even deploy. The problem was that the passenger side of the car was covered in blood; that was the area where Betty was sitting. She was badly injured with major injuries to her skull, face and other parts of her body, and she was having trouble breathing. When a paramedic arrived on the location, the first responder could not figure out how a person could be that seriously injured based on the minimal damage done to the car. Another odd point was that Schirmer reportedly had a cell phone, but never bothered to call 9-1-1. He claims a deer darted in front the vehicle as he was traveling about 45 mph and he swerved to miss it, hitting the guardrail.
Tags: Arthur Schirmer, Betty, bizarre, Jewel, Lebenon, odd, Pastor, Pennsylvnia, suicide, wife
Posted in murder | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
The official autopsy report for 7-year-old Aja Johnson was hand delivered to her biological father J.J. Johnson on Friday. Six months after the little girl went missing, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office lists the child’s official cause of death as “violent death with possible neck injury.” The bodies of Aja Johnson and Lester Hobbs were located in a rural area in Norman, Oklahoma nine weeks after he abducted her. A law enforcement source on the ground told me that because of the decomposition, Hobbs and Aja most likely died about a week after the initial murder of Tonya Hobbs in January. “He got in that area, probably to lay low for a few days, got in there with the storm and maybe got trapped. One thing led to another, couldn’t get the vehicle out, and would have to walk out on foot… he chose to stay.” My source says Aja’s body was found outside the vehicle and Hobbs was found inside the car. The medical examiner’s report indicates Hobbs died from drinking antifreeze, and there were not any signs of antifreeze in Aja Johnson.
Tags: abduction, Aja Johnson, amber alert, anti-freeze, child abduction, dangerous, Lester Hobbs, missing, murder, Oklahoma, suicide, tonya hobbs, u.s. marshal, winter
Posted in abduction, amber alert, murder | 2 Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
- Remembering Phoebe Prince
Attorneys are expected to enter not guilty pleas today for three teens charged for bullying 15-year-old Phoebe Prince. The teen committed suicide earlier this year after she was allegedly targeted and bullied relentlessly for months. Nine teenagers, seven females and two males, are all facing a variety of charges including statutory rape, criminal harassment, violation of civil rights and disturbing a school assembly resulting in bodily injury. This past Tuesday, three other teens entered not guilty pleas for their roles in this alleged crime. Those suspects are scheduled to appear back in court on September 15, 2010.
Phoebe took her life on January 14, 2010 after she was allegedly bullied inside her South Hadley High School in Massachusetts and online. Many reports indicate that administrators and staff of the school knew about the bullying and abuse, but did nothing to help. Phoebe’s aunt even visited the school before her arrival from Ireland and told them about her bullying experiences overseas, and how they should be aware that her niece was susceptible to this type of abuse. Reports indicate the teachers and administrators may have even witnessed physical abuse, and had full knowledge about the situation, but turned their heads to the situation.
Tags: attacks, bullying, cell phone, Chicopee High School, cyberbullying, false information, football, high school, january, Massachusetts, national center for missing and exploited children, National Crime Prevention Council, netsmartz, online, Phoebe Prince, physical abuse, proactive, proactive approach, Resources, social networking, social networking attacks, South Hadley High School, suicide, teachers, technology, walking home
Posted in SAFETY PROGRAM, cyberbullying | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
- Remembering Phoebe Prince
With all the attention the media gives to bullying and students taking their own lives as a result, it amazes me that it still exists – and some parents and teachers don’t bat an eye. Prime example is the recent case of 15 year old Phoebe Prince. She moved to the United States from Ireland, and police say she committed suicide on January 14, 2010 after she was bullied over and over online and at her school. Many reports show that administrators and staff of the school knew about the bullying and abuse, but did nothing to help. They may have even witnessed physical abuse, but still did nothing. So why aren’t they charged as well? Reports show Phoebe was dating a popular high school athlete, and a group known as the “Mean Girls” targeted her in person and online calling her names and spreading rumors about her. The days leading up to her death, investigators say she was bullied in the library, the lunchroom, the hallways, and even walking home. In many instances she was threatened with text messages, her books were flung out of her hands, and horrific messages tarnished her reputation online.
Nine teenagers, seven females and two males, have been charged with criminal harassment, violation of civil rights and disturbing a school assembly resulting in bodily injury. It is true that adults view it as “kids will be kids,” but in this day and age, that just simply isn’t the case. The National Crime Prevention Council says in 2007, 43% of teens have been a victim of cyber-bullying. Cyber bullies use Facebook, Myspace, twitter, and text messages to hurt and send out nasty messages about students or youngsters in their communities they want to target. NetSmartz from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a section for parents on how to prevent this and what to do if your child is a victim. The National Crime Prevention Council always has helpful tips and articles. This is something to take seriously. A simple step like having access to your child’s social networking accounts, creating your own account, and becoming their friend is a great way to monitor the activity. Also, educating children on what bullying is, showing them examples like Phoebe’s case, and implementing a mandatory program inside schools is a great place to start.
Tags: cyberbullying, parents, Phoebe Prince, school, staff, suicide, teens charged, tips for parents
Posted in SAFETY PROGRAM, predator | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Caydence Gonzales
Mecinna Marie Dufore
Isabel Martinez
The Harris County Sheriff’s office issued an Amber Alert late Tuesday for two sisters who were allegedly taken by their mother. Authorities are saying the toddler’s were at their babysitter’s house when their biological mother, Mecinna Marie Dufore, 28, made a surprise visit and snatched the kids. Caydence Gonzales, 2, and Isabel Martinez, 3, disappeared, and haven’t been seen since. Authorities say their mother, Dufore, has a history of suicide and drug abuse, and her parental rights were taken away by the court. I just spoke with the Sheriff’s office, and a deputy there says they do not have a vehicle description yet to give to the public. If you have any information on this case, please call: (713) 755-7427
Tags: amber alert, Caydence Gonzales, drug abuse, harris county sheriff's office, houston, Isabel Martinez, Mecinna Marie Dufore, suicide, tuesday, two sisters missing
Posted in amber alert, missing child | No Comments »
