Domestic Violence: Suicide or Murder?
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:24
#1
remind
Domestic Violence: Suicide or Murder?
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:24
#2
remind
Just heard earlier this morning that a young women, who is a close family friend, and whom I spoke about here, in another thread just a month back, has been found dead. She was supposed to allegedly have committed suicide, by hanging herself from a tree, way out in the back logging roads, after having a large fight with her estranged partner.
There are some serious considerations in this instance, and many aspects that do not make sense. However, the coroner initially appears to have decided that it was suicide after NO investigation. Though maybe now that another aspect of the situations arising prior to her disappearance have been told, it may be re-looked at, we are waiting for a call.
Though the abusive spouse's family is apparently going to go pick up her car etc today, and evidence otherwise than a suicide may indeed be lost.
We simply do not know where we go go with this any further in order to get someone to seriously look at this as perhaps being a non-suicide.
Thoughts?
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:29
#3
So sorry for your loss, remind. [img]frown.gif" border="0[/img]
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:40
#4
Is an appeal of the coroners report possible remind? Like to a higher body or a supervisor etc?
And can police be involved/appealed to?
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:44
#5
remind
Thanks Michelle, we are pretty distraught and have bee all week-end, she went missing Friday...only to hear she was supposed to have committed suicide. They found her body late yesterday and everyone was notified this am.
My daughter is in shock, and is moving back and forth between hysterics and rage, as they were sister-in-laws and best friends for 8 years. Both of them experienced violence, physical mental and emotional, by the 2 brothers, until my daughter finally had the strength to leave last year.
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:47
#6
M. Spector
quote:
Originally posted by remind:
[b]However, the coroner initially appears to have decided that it was suicide after NO investigation. Though maybe now that another aspect of the situations arising prior to her disappearance have been told, it may be re-looked at, we are waiting for a call.[/b]
If the coroner is aware that this woman was in an abusive relationship or very recently had a fight with her estranged partner, he should call for an inquest. In making his decision, he is obliged to consult with the Chief Coroner, who may be more sensitive to political pressure. Maybe the local MLA could be of some assistance.
Tue, 2008-04-29 11:55
#7
remind
quote:
Originally posted by Bacchus:
[b]Is an appeal of the coroners report possible remind? Like to a higher body or a supervisor etc?And can police be involved/appealed to?[/b]
Several of us in her family, and extended, have contacted the RCMP detachment in the district where her body was found, which is different from the the district in which she lived. The coroner in that district had already just decided it must have been suicide. Though we were told no real investigation had gone into establishing that. The Coroner had gone on some other facts provided to her from her recently estranged partner and his family only.
Anyhow, other missing details were provided to the RCMP and they were to inform the Coroner and were supposed to get back to us.
However, the family of the young woman's estranged partner is prominent and [b]they[/b] are their way up Island to pick up her stuff and car.
Tue, 2008-04-29 12:02
#8
remind
quote:
Originally posted by M. Spector:
[b]If the coroner is aware that this woman was in an abusive relationship or very recently had a fight with her estranged partner, he should call for an inquest.[/b]
They did not know about the domestic violence until we informed them today. Can we call for an inquest?
quote:
[b]In making his decision, he is obliged to consult with the Chief Coroner, who may be more sensitive to political pressure. Maybe the local MLA could be of some assistance.[/b]
The whole thing is a mess, her father just died from cancer a month ago, and her mother and her were distant, and her brother is like 20 and dealing with his fathers death and estate, and that is it for her inner family. So we all just do not know what are the appropriate channels to go through to further this, though the RCMP did sound interested in the additional details like her death was going to net her estranged partner close to 2 million, and save him half their assets which are also just over that.
Tue, 2008-04-29 12:14
#9
M. Spector
quote:
Originally posted by remind:
[b]They did not know about the domestic violence until we informed them today. Can we call for an inquest?[/b]
You can and should certainly make that demand on the coroner, but he doesn't have to take your advice.
The best motivation for the coroner to call an inquest is to avoid embarrassment later on if anybody in the media puts together the suspicious circumstances and asks why an inquest wasn't held. If you can somehow let the coroner understand that this could come back to bite him in the ass if he tries to sweep it under the carpet (without actually making any threats, you understand) then it could force his hand.
quote:
[b]...the RCMP did sound interested in the additional details like her death was going to net her estranged partner close to 2 million, and save him half their assets which are also just over that.[/b]
[img]eek.gif" border="0[/img] It's hard to see how the coroner could ignore that.
Tue, 2008-04-29 12:15
#10
writer
remind, this is so sickening. How horrible.
Tue, 2008-04-29 12:29
#11
remind
Yes, writer it is horrible, and to say that we are reeling in shock is an understatement.
MSpector, we spoke to the media in Vic, and they say they will not investigate what the coroner has deemed a suicide because of the sensitive nature of suicides. But they said they would be interested if the Coroner does decide to further extend the investigation.
So one should not go over the local coroners head and contact the Chief coroner about it?
Tue, 2008-04-29 12:48
#12
M. Spector
quote:
Originally posted by remind:
[b]So one should not go over the local coroners head and contact the Chief coroner about it?[/b]
I think one should. That is what I was implying when I said the Chief "may be more sensitive to political pressure" and that "maybe the local MLA could be of some assistance."
The Chief Coroner isn't going to listen to you, but he might well listen to your MLA or any other politician who might be in a position to make a stink if this is covered up.
To a large extent, however, it depends on the RCMP's investigation. If they tell the coroner they don't suspect foul play, that will give the coroner a plausible excuse for inaction if the issue ever comes back.
At the least, the family of the deceased should ask the coroner for an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. Again, he can decline to do so. If they are really keen, they can arrange for a private autopsy at their own expense.
Tue, 2008-04-29 13:28
#13
remind
Thanks mspector, have contacted them again and apparently it is the evening RCMP investigator whom we are waiting for and he will not be on until after 4pm.
Tue, 2008-04-29 16:16
#14
remind
Update, spoke with investigator and was told 2 District offices of the RCMP are now investigating it. Agaiin thanks all.
Tue, 2008-04-29 17:22
#15
laine lowe
remind, I am so sorry for your loss. I'm glad the RCMP are going to investigate. There is nothing worse than suspecting foul play and never having any resolution. Given the size of her estate that you mentioned, I think it might not hurt to get her brother on board. I'm not sure what the laws are if there is no will in her situation but it seems to me that seeing her abusive ex benefiting from her assets would be incredibly unjust.
Tue, 2008-04-29 18:32
#16
Remind, the family may want to take a look at your province's Coroners Act to help determine their rights and remedies if they are not satisfied with the coroner's original determination. I am not sure in which province you reside, but links to the statutes of most provinces are quite easily obtained at [url=http://www.canlii.org]www.canlii.org[/url]
Fri, 2008-05-02 17:30
#17
Oh this is terrible. If youre reading today Remind I just sent you a PM.
Fri, 2008-05-02 18:43
#18
remind
Thanks Erik, I responded to your pm.
Fri, 2008-05-02 19:51
#19
Gotcha, thanks.