Like many Redland folk, I have been left quite shocked by two recent murders in our area – the woman found in a car at Cleveland (#1), and the elderly lady on Macleay Island (#2).
What shocks me even more is that I am acquainted with BOTH of the men who have been arrested for these crimes.
In fact, I have even let my daughter go on a sleepover to the house of #1. I know! EPIC. PARENTING. FAIL.
Of course, I didn’t know he was a murderer back then. When Miss 16 was in Year 7, she was best friends with his daughter so we knew and spoke with the parents several times.
The girls went to different high schools and mostly lost touch after that (except for Facebook). I did hear that the parents split up, but then the next thing I knew, was the media reporting a murder in Cleveland. MY SUBURB! When I heard the name of the accused, it sounded familiar but I didn’t really stop to think about it. It was only when Miss 16 alerted me to the connection that I realised.
I’ve written before about #2 and how the police came knocking on my door, enquiring about my “relationship” with the suspect. (Excuse me but I am a married woman – imagine how I felt when this was said in front of my hubster!)
Although I had never met #2, I spoke to him frequently on the phone in my last job and exchanged a couple of messages via social media after I left.
Again, I was shocked to discover that somebody I knew has been accused of murder.
My heart goes out to the families of both the victims of these murders, the grief they are facing and the tragic and unnecessary loss of life.
But I must confess my heart also goes out to these two men, whether they are guilty or not. Because to me they are not just names in the newspaper, but real, flesh and blood people that have lived in my community. I know their personalities, how they speak, their sense of humour, what they look like, their children …
It just goes to show that we never really know what people are capable of.
Criminals are no longer scary looking people dressed in black and balaclavas, brandishing guns. No, they are ordinary people, just like you and me.
It’s Monday, so I’m joining up with Kirsty from My Home Truths for I MUST CONFESS, and Alicia at One Mother Hen for the OPEN SLATHER blog link ups 
DON’T FORGET to enter our competition to win a family pass to Room on the Broom, at Redlands Performing Arts Centre!
Wow, that’s a lot to take in for you. I know what you mean – when you know an accused person or have known them in the past, it makes you stop and wonder about what drove them to end up in that position too. Many crimes are crimes of passion and not really premeditated – so you’re absolutely right, baddies aren’t necessarily clad in black anymore.
I still can’t quite believe it Cathy 🙁
As someone who lost their Grandfather 20 plus years ago to a couple of young cold blooded murderers, I have no pity, no nothing actually, for anyone who takes another person’s life. They get out of jail in a few years and get on with their lives, the victim’s families live forever wondering what happened to our happy family we had that was torn apart in a split second of cold hearted and premeditated murder. All that keeps us all going is a strong belief in Karma and knowing we loved Pop and he knew he was loved at the time of his passing.
I can’t imagine what would make somebody so desperate as to take another’s life. It’s just truly awful. So sorry to hear about your Pop 🙁
Eeeeek, that would totally freak me out!! I don’t think I’d let my children go for a sleep over again, if that happened to me.
I’m afraid I agree with Jennifer’s comment above. No sympathy here for the criminal, either. Their family perhaps, if they had nothing to do with it, but not the criminal.
Ness we actually banned sleepovers once our kids hit their teens (unless it was at our house where we could keep an eye on things) – because sadly we know only too well that kids often use “sleep overs” to cover up mischief, and you can’t always rely on or trust other parents to have the same standards that you do …
That’s a lot to process Janet – wow. It really puts things into perspective, particularly when you know the person behind the headline. Hugs to you all.
Thanks Kirsty. I think I’m still in shock.
Oh my goodness Janet. Just goes to show when it comes to people you just never know
That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking!
Wow, you never really know a person when something like this happens. That someone you know and trusted could be capable of murder. Must be a shock, especially when the cops come knocking, scary.
Yes, it was a bit of a worry!
If I was in your shoes right now I would be feeling so much I wouldn’t be able to define it. Shock Horror Stun – oh my goodness.
oh my! that is scary! the murders AND the connections! *shudder*
You hear about these things on the news all the time, I am truly grateful that I have never known a single murderer, and am more than happy to keep it that way. That sure must be quite unsettling for you. xx N
I was reading today that during our lifetime each of us knows (albeit unknowingly) 36 murderers!! It’s a scary thought x