Sarah Everard - The Reaction.

[andy-hughes]

Let me begin by stating that I am as deeply saddened by the tragedy of this young woman's death, and would extend sincere sympathy to her family and friends.

But I would wish to raise a point about the reaction to this one individual murder.

Since no murder can reasonably be judged to be any more or any less tragic than any other, I am curious about the national focus, and attendent internet outrage about this one particular case, and why the nation has suddenly risen up in horror about this one tragic death, when similar tragic deaths occur every day, and pass virtually without comment.

Of course papers like the Mail do as they always do - the size of the pictures of the poor woman are directly proportional to her perceived physical attraction when she was alive.

The unspoken message as always, is that somehow, the death of attractive people is somehow more tragic, which is a dreadful way to treat anyone who has died, but it's what they do.

My point though, is, does anyone have any theories as to why some cases attract sudden mass attnetion - the Madelaine McCann case being another prime example - and others seem to pass by with almost no reaction at all.

Any thoughts?

[anneasquith]

An interesting point. A tragedy indeed. I wondered if there are times when we as a community feel the need to share our grief. A bit like Dianas death. Lockdown, sadness, loss/ death . .?

[royfromaus]

Since no murder can reasonably be judged to be any more or any less tragic than any other,
_______________________________

Well, I disagree with that.

[jim360]

Perhaps it's also the aspect of a policeman being involved, raising the "whom can we trust?" aspect. In either case, maybe something good will come of it if this forces us to face up to continued failures in providing safety on the streets.

[Cloverjo]

Even on AB I saw comments like “What a shame. [Everard] was so beautiful too.”

When my own (very pretty) cousin was killed in a car crash her photo was plastered all over the local papers. The other victim (a man in another car) was barely mentioned.
That’s what happens.

[Ellipsis]

She was female, young, pretty, abducted while doing nothing wrong, killed by a stranger, remains mutilated in such a way that the police were initially unsure they were even human, and it seems killed by a policeman.

That's quite unusual.

[sivam]

Surely the fact that he was a Policeman has had some baring on the depth of feeling. Thankfully caught quickly. Some are never solved ie York chef who vanished.

[Theland]

Maybe too many are tied up handing out Covid tickets.
Of courses we have Cameron, Clegg and May to thank for the decrease in numbers.t

[andy-hughes]

roy - // Since no murder can reasonably be judged to be any more or any less tragic than any other,
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Well, I disagree with that. //

Fair enough - care to elaborate?

[tomus42]

In this case it's also something to do with the fact that it's a serving police officer that has been arrested for the crime.

[pixie374]

I think it's because she was just walking home. Everyone has done that and can relate to it. Perhaps not so much when it comes to gangs, dishonour killings and so on... but this shows it could happen to anyone.

[royfromaus]

Simple really, when I hear one drug dealer has killed a rival I don't think 'tragic'

[pixie374]

Or a paedophile in prison... I can acknowledge it isn't "right" while giving no *** if happens.

[Peter Pedant]

// and others seem to pass by with almost no reaction at all.//

yup and the other 5 who were killed at that time are squawking as their loved ones deaths are being written off as drug related

we didnt protect a priddy white icon oh and by the way you cant protest because it will be unsafe for you

seems an incredibly stupid response on the part of the police

[hellywelly4]

I had the thought that there wasn’t this reaction after Levi Bellfield’s murders. Perhaps it’s because of social media making everything seem closer to home? I don’t know.

[royfromaus]

Yep Pixie, another good example of not tragic.

[pixie374]

I used to look after his mother in law, hellywelly. He really was close to home!

[Barmaid]

I have no idea why some cases attract more attention than others. Although it is notable that the case of Sarah Everard only reached real fever pitch after it was revealed a police officer had been arrested.

There are around 176,000 people go missing every year. I find that staggering. The vast majority do turn up, but even so, there are those never heard of again. And so many are not reported in the press.

I do remember the murders in Ipswich in 2006 and when the first young lady went missing it was only locally that it was really known. Even after a second girl went missing there was no real national news coverage. It was only when a body was found and other ladies disappeared that it really got attention. Then the press descended.

It is, sadly, a feature of my work that I have to deal with missing persons since often they have property that needs dealing with. Not one of the many cases I have dealt with has had real national coverage. There are in fact other murders and attempted murders that do not ever seem to be reported.

I just did a quick search and was quite shocked at the table I found that states for the year ending March 2020, there were 695 murders. (Data here:- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/homicideinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2020). I certainly do not recall seeing nearly 2 murders reported every day.

I wonder though whether the reason is that her death was at the hands of a stranger. Very often murder occurs between people known to each other. Horrific as that is, there is often some motive such as adultery, money or jealousy. A murder by a stranger is in some ways more chilling since there is generally no other motive than sexual or primeval gratification or instant uncontrolled anger.

[barry1010]

I don't understand why some murders attract more attention than others, either.
Back in the 80s two elderly sisters were murdered at Christmas in their home above the corner shop they had run for decades. Their murderer has never been caught but the case attracted very little media attention.
https://thetruecrimeenthusiast.co.uk/2016/12/22/who-killed-alice-and-edna-rowley/

[Sqad]

Great excuse, similar to George Floyd to further your particular crusade in life.........
An illegal gathering with no thought of the health considerations to the community.
Police have the almost impossible task in these violent times of maintaining law and order and deserve a pay rise commiserate or in excess of the nurses.
Whatever force should be applied to uphold the law.
Another example of society progressing down the slopes anarchy.

[Togo]

If you want a "protest" about events that happened centuries ago, plod will stand by and let you vandalise and destroy public property. Turn a blind eye to violent behaviour and arson even. But if you have a quiet silent vigil, that just happens to disturb their own shallow sensibilities, they will be on you like a ton of the proverbial.