Sexual Abusers Who Take Their Own Lives Compound Tragedy

No justice for the victims

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By Alexis Fernandez

ANCHORAGE - Over the last decade, Anchorage police say five people accused of sexually abusing minors took their own lives.

“It’s never the best way, when that happens that just compounds a tragedy with a tragedy,” said Lieutenant Dave Parker, a spokesperson for the Anchorage Police Department.

It’s a decision that can affect victims.

“They have the sense of responsibility for what has happened, and a sense of shame and self blame,” said Keeley Olson, program director for Standing Together Against Rape or STAR.

Olson says it's an impact the public sometimes overlooks, and is not fair to the survivors of sexual abuse.

STAR advocates say when the accused take their own lives, it robs victims of their shot at justice.

“Every perpetrator would like to make the victims feel responsible for their actions,” said Olson.

Police say when suspects die, investigators' chance of finding other victims becomes more difficult.

They say it’s a serious crime, and molesters often have more than 100 victims before they’re caught by law enforcement.
 

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Justice said on Saturday, Feb 25 at 3:31 PM

Too bad all the perverts caught wouldn't do the same.It would save alot of victims in the future, as all the perverts are released some times in the future & repeat the same crimes.

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1ColdFalcon said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 6:04 PM

Unfortunately, the victims do not get closure this way, even if it seems they do/should. They do not get retribution. Killing themselves is the coward's way out. But if they were mature enough to handle the price of their crimes, they wouldn't be preying on children. We should nab them as fast as possible, keep them 'safe' until they see trial, and when convicted, give them a cell with every means to take their own lives and leave them in the general population in prison--with pretty pink jammies that tell all the rest of them that these guys hurt kids. Let a lifer take them out...but not til the victim has seen their day in court...because they are the MOST important person/people in the tragedy.

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money said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 1:48 PM

Well for most people this is good cause no more victims and saving money. But from police views it is not good cause they have no one to arrest then and in the future so less jobs and work for them. But overall it is best.

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Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 17 at 2:33 PM

nope sorry but when someone is worth alot of money they do anything to keep it...but nice try old man...may be Chuck Heaths dick should not have jumped out of his pants eh? old habits die hard...or just die or attempt to kill the messenger...will be talked about in court...remember now the body never lies..DNA

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amen said on Friday, Feb 17 at 11:49 AM

bp, I am not in favor of what these guys done to get to this point, but, you should realize that you also need forgiveness,(all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)or you will be joining them in HELL. It dosen't excuse it , but these people probably came from real broken homes or been molested themselves. Look at the statistics, most of people jailed are from broken homes (and please don't comment on how good you are despite coming frome a dysfunctional home, I'm not talking about your standard here). We are all accountable to God and maybe these people didn't think so. We have all the counsiling for women who are abused, maybe the same should be available to men(if there not currently available). Don't wait until there's a problem.

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Old Timer said on Friday, Feb 17 at 11:01 AM

To Anonymous: You should at least be brave enough to use your name for this type of attack which has nothing to do with the story. Makes me think YOU are one? Comment on the story not just your HATE for someone who has accomplished something. Rumors kill also...

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bp said on Friday, Feb 17 at 11:00 AM

Any child molestor that commits suicide, they are doing the State of Alaska a huge favor by not making our tax dollars house and feed them for X amt of years. They should all have a spare noose in their cell. They knew what they did was evil, and they did the right thing by killing themselves. And advocates of anything otherwise can go to hell

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