reasonable doubt

[Stephanie]

She had certainly seen the weapon before. She wasn't wearing the nightdress while killing the family. She took a shower and wrapped herself in the towel walked to the kitchen where she folded the towel and placed it on Neville's blood. Went upstairs to put on her nightdress. She wanted to look clean and nicely dressed when she was found. It's all perfectly logical and easily explained.

From my research of suicide and from talking with many family members and friends of people who have chosen to end their lives this way, what I have yet to hear is that the person who died by suicide 'wanted to look nice and clean when they were found.' Quite the opposite infact. Some had written notes with instructions after their deaths, some had left letters to say they were sorry etc but I do not recall any of them having showered and dressed 'to look nice and clean when they were found.'

Maybe this is a projection on your part? Maybe that is what you would wish for? But I have yet to come across your theory.

[guest7363]

From my research of suicide and from talking with many family members and friends of people who have chosen to end their lives this way, what I have yet to hear is that the person who died by suicide 'wanted to look nice and clean when they were found.' Quite the opposite infact. Some had written notes with instructions after their deaths, some had left letters to say they were sorry etc but I do not recall any of them having showered and dressed 'to look nice and clean when they were found.'

Maybe this is a projection on your part? Maybe that is what you would wish for? But I have yet to come across your theory.

Very good post Stephanie and I would hardly call changing into a nightie and not wearing knickers nicely dressed?  That's a very good point about leaving a note to say they were sorry, you would have expected that if someone had shot her children and family?

[Stephanie]

Very good post Stephanie and I would hardly call changing into a nightie and not wearing knickers nicely dressed?  That's a very good point about leaving a note to say they were sorry, you would have expected that if someone had shot her children and family?

Thanks but I wasn't suggesting Sheila would have left a suicide note. I was suggesting it was unlikely she would have been thinking about looking 'clean and tidy' when she was found.

I believe very few people who end their life by suicide leave a note/letter.

"Only 15 to 38% of people who die by suicide leave a note, according to results of 5 studies published in the last 10 or so years.   - See more at: http://www.speakingofsuicide.com/2014/04/23/the-unwritten-goodbye/#.dpuf

[Adam]

Who would she be leaving a suicide note for ? She had killed her closest family.

[Jane]

Very good post Stephanie and I would hardly call changing into a nightie and not wearing knickers nicely dressed?  That's a very good point about leaving a note to say they were sorry, you would have expected that if someone had shot her children and family?

Oh, but hadn't you heard, Justice? She allegedly left a suicide note (on a bedside table?) which the police   allegedly squirrelled away.....................for safe keeping, perhaps.

[guest7363]

Who would she be leaving a suicide note for ? She had killed her closest family.

Some do it for forgiveness, she could have left one for Jeremy or Colin she had just murdered his children and Jeremy's mum and dad not forgetting.

[guest7363]

Oh, but hadn't you heard, Justice? She allegedly left a suicide note (on a bedside table?) which the police   allegedly squirrelled away.....................for safe keeping, perhaps.

Well that answers it then, back to drawing board again!   Just to throw another spanner in, I read an article about male family killers :         I  really want to emphasize that male family annihilators are a distinct type of murderer, and they deserve specific attention, rather than falling into the predefined categories that we have," Yardley said.

The researchers found that August was the most common month for these types of killings to take place Ninety-five percent of murder-suicides were committed by men

[guest7363]

Thanks but I wasn't suggesting Sheila would have left a suicide note. I was suggesting it was unlikely she would have been thinking about looking 'clean and tidy' when she was found.

I believe very few people who end their life by suicide leave a note/letter.

"Only 15 to 38% of people who die by suicide leave a note, according to results of 5 studies published in the last 10 or so years.   - See more at: http://www.speakingofsuicide.com/2014/04/23/the-unwritten-goodbye/#.dpuf

. Still interesting though Stephanie, but after killing her children and leaving No explanation to Colin of why?

[Jane]

Well that answers it then, back to drawing board again!   Just to throw another spanner in, I read an article about male family killers :         I  really want to emphasize that male family annihilators are a distinct type of murderer, and they deserve specific attention, rather than falling into the predefined categories that we have," Yardley said.

The researchers found that August was the most common month for these types of killings to take place

August, summer, heat, raised testosterone levels. heightened aggression???

[Caroline]

Who would she be leaving a suicide note for ? She had killed her closest family.

Colin

[guest7363]

August, summer, heat, raised testosterone levels. heightened aggression???

The male menopause testosterone, what us men have to put up with.  I don't mind the first three though Jane.

[Jane]

The male menopause testosterone, what us men have to put up with.  I don't mind the first three though Jane.

Awww. My heart bleeds for you, Justice. It seems we women don't know the half of it.

[guest7363]

Awww. My heart bleeds for you, Justice. It seems we women don't know the half of it.

My wife understands Jane.    Pass the remote dear.

[Jane]

My wife understands Jane.    Pass the remote dear.

I hope she understands how lucky she is to be acknowledged.

[Stephanie]

. Still interesting though Stephanie, but after killing her children and leaving No explanation to Colin of why?

Definitely interesting but I cannot see how she would be thinking about looking 'clean and tidy' after murdering her family. If she had been responsible I would have imagined she would have just turned the gun on herself, no shower or clean clothes., no thought of it. Why would she dress to impress? I've yet to hear of any suicide where the deceased is found in a 'clean and tidy' state 

Again I think people who believe this are projecting what they would likely do in that situation. But in reality, I believe to get to the point of taking ones own life, appearances would be the last thing on their mind. If they had thought about this is such detail they would surely know that following their death their corpse would do it's own thing.

For arguments sake, if Sheila had thought about wanting to be found 'clean and tidy' when did she expect she would be found? How many hours after the murder suicide did she think it would be before the bodies would be discovered and for her body to be found in 'a clean and tidy state?'

No, again, I really believe this theory to be a projection of others. It makes no sense imo.