The mysterious death of Michelle O'Connell - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BlueGalexy · 08-20-2021, 08:59 PM

I was inspired by Jon's thread about bogus suicide cases in the UM forum, and started thinking about the Michelle O'Connell case. It was never featured on UM as far as I know, but would be a great segment for the Netflix version and/or the podcast IMO. In fact, this case has been so contentiously debated over the years, that I bet Crystal Dawn could do an awesome article on her blog...hint, hint CD, lol.

Michelle O'Connell was shot to death on Sept 2nd, 2010 in St. Augustine, FL by her then boyfriend's (Jeremy Banks) service weapon. According to her family and friends, and statements later made by Banks IIRC, her death occurred on the very same night that O'Connell was ending their relationship. Several of O'Connell's loved ones attributed the break up to previous incidents of domestic violence allegedly perpetrated by Banks, allegations that he has denied.

Banks was a deputy for the local sheriff's office at the time, and as such it was his own colleagues that responded to his frantic 911 call. According to Banks, O'Connell shot herself with his service weapon while he was out of the room. He reported that upon hearing two gunshots, he ran into the room and discovered O'Connell critically injured on the floor with his weapon lying adjacent to her. After calling 911 for help, the sheriff's office Banks worked for responded and began an investigation. They ultimately concluded that Banks' version of events was corroborated by the available evidence and ruled the death a suicide.

This finding was immediately and vehemently disputed by O'Connell's family. All except for one brother, a friend and colleague of Banks, who went on record as agreeing with the suicide ruling. In the 11 years since, other LE agencies have also investigated the death, including the FDLE, but to mixed results it would seem. The case was only further complicated in 2019 when an internet sleuth working closely with the O'Connell family (Eli Washtock) was found murdered in his own apartment. His death was definitively ruled as a homicide but has remained unsolved. Statements that Washtock made to the people in his life in the time leading up to his murder indicated that he felt his life was in danger as a result of his work on the O'Connell case. O'Connell's family have stated that they believe the deaths to be related, while LE and those in the Banks camp seem to believe otherwise.

This case has been heavily covered by the media over the years and I would encourage you all to look into it further. I'd love to hear some feedback from our fellow posters. Was this a case of tragic suicide as determined by LE, or was there something more sinister at play?

08-20-2021, 08:59 PM	#1
BlueGalexy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 03, 2014 Posts: 322	The mysterious death of Michelle O'Connell I was inspired by Jon's thread about bogus suicide cases in the UM forum, and started thinking about the Michelle O'Connell case. It was never featured on UM as far as I know, but would be a great segment for the Netflix version and/or the podcast IMO. In fact, this case has been so contentiously debated over the years, that I bet Crystal Dawn could do an awesome article on her blog...hint, hint CD, lol. Michelle O'Connell was shot to death on Sept 2nd, 2010 in St. Augustine, FL by her then boyfriend's (Jeremy Banks) service weapon. According to her family and friends, and statements later made by Banks IIRC, her death occurred on the very same night that O'Connell was ending their relationship. Several of O'Connell's loved ones attributed the break up to previous incidents of domestic violence allegedly perpetrated by Banks, allegations that he has denied. Banks was a deputy for the local sheriff's office at the time, and as such it was his own colleagues that responded to his frantic 911 call. According to Banks, O'Connell shot herself with his service weapon while he was out of the room. He reported that upon hearing two gunshots, he ran into the room and discovered O'Connell critically injured on the floor with his weapon lying adjacent to her. After calling 911 for help, the sheriff's office Banks worked for responded and began an investigation. They ultimately concluded that Banks' version of events was corroborated by the available evidence and ruled the death a suicide. This finding was immediately and vehemently disputed by O'Connell's family. All except for one brother, a friend and colleague of Banks, who went on record as agreeing with the suicide ruling. In the 11 years since, other LE agencies have also investigated the death, including the FDLE, but to mixed results it would seem. The case was only further complicated in 2019 when an internet sleuth working closely with the O'Connell family (Eli Washtock) was found murdered in his own apartment. His death was definitively ruled as a homicide but has remained unsolved. Statements that Washtock made to the people in his life in the time leading up to his murder indicated that he felt his life was in danger as a result of his work on the O'Connell case. O'Connell's family have stated that they believe the deaths to be related, while LE and those in the Banks camp seem to believe otherwise. This case has been heavily covered by the media over the years and I would encourage you all to look into it further. I'd love to hear some feedback from our fellow posters. Was this a case of tragic suicide as determined by LE, or was there something more sinister at play?