Culture

Father in Calgary massacre felt possessed,viciously stabbed all four, then took his life

by Barry ORegan | May 30, 2008 at 05:10 am

1118 views | 17 Recommendations | 6 comments

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

A father under intense pressure, work and family pressure it seems finally snapped, according to police who suspect this reason in the father taking his entire family and a live in tenant with him. Certainly one would think help is out there for those who suffer mental illness, but some prefer not to seek assistance and go about their daily life suffering in silence, until that silence breaks it's silence and a tragic ending results.

Father in Calgary massacre felt possessedSources and police point to dad as prime suspectBy Jason van Rassel, Joel Kom and Kristen Odland, Canwest News ServicePublished: Thursday, May 29, 2008
CALGARY - Hard-working, devoted father Joshua Lall heard voices in his head and believed he was possessed by the devil before the mass killing that claimed his life and four others, sources told the Calgary Herald.

About two weeks ago, Lall began acting strangely and work stresses seemed to be bothering him a great deal, police sources said.

Others familiar with the case were more specific, saying Lall expressed fears he was possessed by the devil.

My initial coverage of this story and updates.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/calgary-five-dead-domestic-homicide-husband-suspected
Fri, May 30, 2008

Police say 5 found dead in home died of multiple stab wounds

UPDATED: 2008-05-30 16:37:49 MST

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

ALGARY — Police say five people whose bodies were
found in a Calgary home earlier this week all died of multiple stab
wounds from one knife.

Insp. Guy Slater also confirms the identities
of the dead as Joshua Lall, his wife Alison, their young daughters,
Kristen and Rochelle, and tenant Amber Bowerman.

Slater says it was clear from defensive wounds on Alison Lall that she died trying to protect her children.

He also says evidence indicates Joshua Lall attacked the people in his house Tuesday night.

The tenant died first and appears to have been taken by surprise, as there was no sign of a struggle in her basement suite.

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/Five/2008/05/30/5727146.html

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

Rob Walker

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 05:20 on May 30th, 2008

Thanks for keeping us updated on this Barry, what a bizarre twist to this story.

Barry ORegan

at 05:51 on May 30th, 2008

Thanks Rob, I have included a link to my initial coverage on this story this week.

Tragic indeed, when friends and family may have known something was not right, yet no one acted in time to prevent it.

Amy Judd

at 11:55 on May 30th, 2008

The results for the autopsy may be released later today:

The
autopsies, which were started Thursday morning, have not been completed
but may be finished by the day's end, according to a Calgary police
spokeswoman.

"We're still waiting," said Nichole Stewart. "We're not sure if it will be today at all. Everyone's really anxious."

Stewart said once police receive the results, they most likely will immediately release information on how the five died.

Barry ORegan

at 14:52 on May 30th, 2008

True Moon. Someone should have acted on this, if someone is seeing visions, is depressed and no one is listening they act out, what I am surprised is he acted out against his own family. Usually manic depressives take it out on non family members, such as schools, public places where it is not personal.

I do thank everyone for your comments, truly appreciated

Pat Garcia

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:10 on May 30th, 2008

Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff. Tragic indeed. "When
you feel that you just can't go on, ask for help, there is always a way
out of darkness" was my father's most valuable advise, considering we
both have the artistic, melancholic, depressive type kind of
personality. Unfortunately as mentioned before seeking for help is
considered a weakness, but isn't it in times of weakness that we
require help? Then again I have had the opportunity to help some
friends and acquaintances with mental illnesses like schizophrenia,(
which is considered extremely shameful by them) bipolar disease( my
friend just needs me to be there during a crisis and remind her she's
having a crisis) and deep depression, some don't want to be helped or
even admit they need help because it means to deal with "untouchable
issues" .On the other hand I have had the joy of giving a helping hand
to some that are now managing to live plentiful normal lives after
deciding to get up and fight terrible life situations with the proper
equipment and help.