132. Family Annihilators
This week the docs focus on the sub category of mass killers called “Family Annihilators”. These killers' crimes are defined as the act of murdering the entire family for a specific and narrow range of reasons. The aftermath of these crimes can leave a community reeling with shock and disbelief in the stark contrast of what are many times, perpetrators who are viewed as responsible parents and even outstanding members of the community. Often, these jarring crimes are associated with financial or emotional strain, mental health problems, or revenge. We touch on a few well known cases that are recent in the news as well as some more obscure examples.
resources
Archive, View Author, et al. Dharmesh Patel’s Wife Doesn’t Want Him Tried for Tesla Plunge. 14 Feb. 2023, nypost.com/2023/02/14/dharmesh-patels-wife-doesnt-want-him-tried-for-tesla-plunge/. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
“Characteristics of Family Killers Revealed: The Male Dominated Crime Most Common in August.” ScienceDaily, 15 Aug. 2013, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130815084404.htm.
Carlisle, Nate, and Melanie Porter. “Search Warrant Offers New Details on Haight Family Murder-Suicide.” FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU), FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU), 24 Jan. 2023, www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/police-release-haight-family-search-warrant-as-investigation-continues. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
Collins, Katie. “Study: Family Killers Are Usually Men and Fit One of Four Distinct Profiles.” Wired UK, 16 Aug. 2013, www.wired.co.uk/article/family-killers.
Dietz, Park. “MASS, SERIAL and SENSATIONAL HOMICIDES*.” Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, vol. 62, no. 5, June 1986, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1629267/pdf/bullnyacadmed00051-0111.pdf. Accessed 26 Feb. 2023.
“Family Annihilator Murder Cases Share Traits, Expert Explains.” BuzzFeed News, BuzzFeed News, 7 Mar. 2023, www.buzzfeednews.com/article/drumoorhouse/family-annihilators-murdaugh-haight-watts. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
Fedak, Chris, et al. “Prodigal Son.” IMDb, 23 Sept. 2019, www.imdb.com/title/tt10327354/?ref_=kw_li_tt. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
Flores, Albert. “FBI Arrests Top Murder Suspect.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2002, www.cbsnews.com/news/fbi-arrests-top-murder-suspect/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2023.
“FBI Arrests Top Murder Suspect.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2002, www.cbsnews.com/news/fbi-arrests-top-murder-suspect/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2023.
“Former FBI Agent Analyzes Psyche of “Family Annihilator” in Phoenix Family Massacre.” Https://Www.azfamily.com, Arizona’s Family, 2023, www.azfamily.com/2023/03/09/former-fbi-agent-analyzes-psyche-family-annihilator-phoenix-family-massacre/. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
Hartley, Dale. “Psychologist, Mother, and Family Annihilator | Psychology Today.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 3 Nov. 2020, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/machiavellians-gulling-the-rubes/202011/psychologist-mother-and-family-annihilator. Accessed 26 Feb. 2023.
---. “The 3 Kinds of Fathers Who Kill Their Own Children | Psychology Today.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 8 Aug. 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/machiavellians-gulling-the-rubes/201808/the-3-kinds-of-fathers-who-kill-their-own-children. Accessed 26 Feb. 2023.
Keane, Isabel. “Michael Haight Was Investigated for Child Abuse Years before Killing Family, Self in Alleged Utah Murder-Suicide.” New York Post, New York Post, 18 Jan. 2023, nypost.com/2023/01/18/michael-haight-was-investigated-for-abuse-before-killing-family-self/. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.
Moorhouse, Drusilla. “Family Annihilator Murder Cases Share Traits, Expert Explains.” BuzzFeed News, BuzzFeed News, 7 Mar. 2023, www.buzzfeednews.com/article/drumoorhouse/family-annihilators-murdaugh-haight-watts. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.
MELOY, J. REID, et al. “Offender and Offense Characteristics of a Nonrandom Sample of Adolescent Mass Murderers.” Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, vol. 40, no. 6, June 2001, pp. 719–728, https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200106000-00018.
Wiki Targeted (Entertainment. “Savior (L&O).” Law and Order, 2023, lawandorder.fandom.com/wiki/Savior_(L%26O). Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.
Scott, Hannah & Fleming, Katie. (2013). The Female Family Annihilator: An Exploratory Study. Homicide Studies. 18. 59-82. 10.1177/1088767913513152.
Wiegand, David. “After Getting Fired by the New York Times for Lying in Print, a Reporter Stumbled on the Story of His Life.” SFGATE, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 June 2005, www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/After-getting-fired-by-the-New-York-Times-for-2451380.php. Accessed 10 Mar. 2023.