Most Heartbreaking Segment

[VikingsGal]

I would say the Baskin kids or anytime kids are kidnapped and a parent, through no fault of their own, misses out on years and years with their own kids. And probably brainwashed to believe they are mean, too.

I am not comparing it with a loss of life but those stories are just so sad.

[VikingsGal]

sorry - double post!

[kamy]

Originally Posted by Oooga Chucka

I don't remember what any of their names were, and it may even be a new segment (I first saw it on Spike), but there was one that involved an African-American woman who worked at a bank. She went to work and saw some letter at the door, something to the effect of attempted extortion. Anyway, she went home and not too long after that her apartment was set on fire. The really heartbreaking part was that her young daughter opened the door and walked into the flames, dying almost instantly. Even worse was the mother and her adult son running after her and sustaining eventually fatal wounds themselves. They died the next day. It's tragic enough that the young girl died, but I couldn't get it out of my head that the last thing that the brother and the mom had to live with was that this little girl died. This one just broke my heart.

What is this story? I don't recall it at all.

My vote would be the Bill Day story, at least off the top of my head. Too many to pick just one.

[MegtheEgg86]

I always thought the Dwayne McCorkendale case was really sad. Trying to do his job, calling his wife, shot for such a small amount of money. And leaving those two little girls without a dad.

And I know I'm in something of a minority here, but I always pitied Gail Delano. Very, very sad story.

[kadrmas15]

Yeah, I did too Meg the Egg. I think and again this is just an opinion, but in regards to Gail Delano, it in some ways surprises me the majority of people do not only not feel sorry for her but almost seem to hold her in contempt. I am not saying what she did was right because it was not. However I think a lot of people are making the mistake of judging an irrational person from a rational point of view. I mean when I say irrational, I do not mean insane, but when someone has depression that is chronic and as severe as Gail's was, it gets to a point to where you feel like suicide is the best and only way out. I mean clearly someone that thinks suicide is the only answer to their problems is not thinking rationally.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

Yeah, I did too Meg the Egg. I think and again this is just an opinion, but in regards to Gail Delano, it in some ways surprises me the majority of people do not only not feel sorry for her but almost seem to hold her in contempt. I am not saying what she did was right because it was not. However I think a lot of people are making the mistake of judging an irrational person from a rational point of view. I mean when I say irrational, I do not mean insane, but when someone has depression that is chronic and as severe as Gail's was, it gets to a point to where you feel like suicide is the best and only way out. I mean clearly someone that thinks suicide is the only answer to their problems is not thinking rationally.

For once, we're in agreement.

Having been there, I have only sadness and pity for those who choose that way out. I will NEVER judge them, because I know what it's like. It really pisses me off when people say things like "Oh, that's selfish" or "Oh, they're a terrible person" or whatever, because they're thinking with the mind of a sane, rational person, and not the mind of a severely depressed individual. Oftentimes, those people honestly believe the world (and their loved ones) will be better off without them.

[kadrmas15]

Yes, I know a couple of people that have committed suicide and I myself have had depression for years and been on medication off and on for it. I will get ripped on for that no doubt, but it does not matter. Only an ignorant person would rip on someone for something like this. I remember a few years ago, when the whole Andrea Yates saga was going on and I remember her husband Rusty, piece of crap that he is, but anyway he was quoted as saying 'all people with depression need is a swift kick in the pants to get them motivated' Andrea's brother quoted him as saying that.

The reason I bring the above case into this is because misunderstanding of this condition and other mental/emotional illnesses can have lethal consequences. I think it is again, due to what I mentioned in an earlier post, of rational people looking at irrational people from a rational point of view and not being able to understand why these people can't just get motivated or why they can't just snap out of it? It is a medical condition, that often is chronic and is not something you can turn on and off like a light.

In Gail's case, I think that she had suffered from this condition, from the sounds of it, for a long time, years, maybe decades. Frankly, I think she was just tired of it. I think she got to a point to where I think she was just tired of fighting it and I think she felt like she was a burden to everyone, her sons, her parents, her siblings, her friends, everyone. I think she just decided in her irrational way of thinking that she would take matters into her own hands and just end it all as she felt she was a burden to others. It sounds like she died of a drug overdose, I am not sure what drugs they were, but my guess is that it was either barbiturates or sleeping pills, maybe pain killers.

[Mastermind]

If anyone was to blame, perhaps more people should have seen the signs that Gail might be suicide prone.

[soilentgreen]

Originally Posted by Oooga Chucka

there was one that involved an African-American woman who worked at a bank. She went to work and saw some letter at the door, something to the effect of attempted extortion. Anyway, she went home and not too long after that her apartment was set on fire.

That was the Donna Baldio (sp?) segment, in Houston, Texas. As someone posted, two juveniles confessed to starting the fire.

One of the cases that really got to me was Jasper Watkins (the elderly man in the steamer trunk). I know some UM fans were disturbed by the morgue photo but I just had a complete sense of tragedy from seeing it; there was a mild resemblance to my father, who I and my brother were caregivers to until his death. It's sickening that someone would murder a helpless man, then dump him out like garbage.

As far as Gail Delano, how can anyone not feel bad? Her chronic depression cheated her of having more time with her sons (who would be adults now and possibly parents themselves).

[Oooga Chucka]

Originally Posted by soilentgreen

That was the Donna Baldio (sp?) segment, in Houston, Texas. As someone posted, two juveniles confessed to starting the fire.

One of the cases that really got to me was Jasper Watkins (the elderly man in the steamer trunk). I know some UM fans were disturbed by the morgue photo but I just had a complete sense of tragedy from seeing it; there was a mild resemblance to my father, who I and my brother were caregivers to until his death. It's sickening that someone would murder a helpless man, then dump him out like garbage.

I agree. Showing Jasper's face really showed his sad vulnerability and the complete lack of magnanimity in his death. A lot of folks were grossed out, but I too was heartbroken.

[MissFit29]

George Owens is my number one. The actor's portrayal of Owens gets me every time.

[SheRaaa]

I just watched the George Owens segment for the first time and found it incredibly heartbreaking.

Also:

-Blind River rest stop murders -- the husband is just so, so sad and heartbroken himself

-Jasper Watkins (steamer trunk guy) -- when they showed his "good" photo after he had been identified, he looked like such a sweet old man! This case really got to me; I get really, really upset when people prey upon the weak/helpless

-I don't remember the names for either of these cases, but they both involved pizza delivery (one case involved a male pizza delivery guy, and one involved a female delivery girl). I can't stand it when people are simply trying to do their (oft-thankless) jobs and some criminal takes advantage of their vulnerability on the job

-Jennifer Pratt -- seeing her attempt to make a recovery, her optimism in the face of such tragedy, is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time

-Little Miss Pannasoffkee -- not only does this poor woman die a horrific death, but nobody seems to be missing her...that is beyond heartbreaking

[Gelatinous Goo]

Originally Posted by SheRaaa

-Jasper Watkins (steamer trunk guy) -- when they showed his "good" photo after he had been identified, he looked like such a sweet old man! This case really got to me; I get really, really upset when people prey upon the weak/helpless

I always feel bad for the "gross-out" reaction poor Jasper receives around here. Although obviously understandable, it bothers me that the pre-trunk Jasper isn't recognized. No, we don't know what he was like throughout the course of his life, but nobody deserves that ending. It's funny how less grotesque that photo is when you consider that Jasper was more than a cadaver. Chances are he was isolated. If he had some of his wits about him, he was undoubtedly starved for human companionship. I would love for somebody who knew him to find this site and let us know about his life and experiences.

[alfiechat]

Originally Posted by SheRaaa

I just watched the George Owens segment for the first time and found it incredibly heartbreaking.

Also:

-Blind River rest stop murders -- the husband is just so, so sad and heartbroken himself

-Jasper Watkins (steamer trunk guy) -- when they showed his "good" photo after he had been identified, he looked like such a sweet old man! This case really got to me; I get really, really upset when people prey upon the weak/helpless

-I don't remember the names for either of these cases, but they both involved pizza delivery (one case involved a male pizza delivery guy, and one involved a female delivery girl). I can't stand it when people are simply trying to do their (oft-thankless) jobs and some criminal takes advantage of their vulnerability on the job

-Jennifer Pratt -- seeing her attempt to make a recovery, her optimism in the face of such tragedy, is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time

-Little Miss Pannasoffkee -- not only does this poor woman die a horrific death, but nobody seems to be missing her...that is beyond heartbreaking

The male pizza driver I think was Morris Davis and the female was Sherry Eyerly( i think...)

[SheRaaa]

Originally Posted by alfiechat

The male pizza driver I think was Morris Davis and the female was Sherry Eyerly( i think...)

Yes, that sounds right. Both so sad...but thank you for clearing that up!