By the magic of blog linking, somehow I recently stumbled upon a blog called, mamapundit. Sadly I didn't find her corner of the internet because of a funny post of hers, or a rave review, but because she had recently lost her son Henry after his most terrible battle with a drug overdose and traumatic head injury.
Right now you are saying to yourself, "Why in the world is Ashley talking about this?"
Because as I read more and more of her words, as I read about her family's struggle with this shocking and terrifying loss, I can't help but suffer the most vivid of flashbacks.
Henry was beaten because of a drug deal gone wrong (they are assuming), and in the aftermath of the beating took a lethal dose of drugs. The combination caused him to spend over a month in the hospital fighting desperately for his life with his family by his side, only to eventually lose his tremendous and heartbreaking battle for his life.
In the aftermath of his death his family, rightfully so, wants answers. To his beating. To the reason no one called 911 for over 24 hours. To his following drug overdose.
And the Knox County Sheriffs Department has yet to provide them with any answers, convictions, or peace of mind. Although they say they are working on it.
If I was the sort of person who prayed, I would pray for them to find answers, for justice to be served quickly, for their confusion and the questions surrounding their son's terrible end to come to some sort of conclusion.
Sadly, I understand the reality of how NOT like Law and Order our law enforcement and justice system really is.
In the aftermath of my Grandmother's murder we all made comments about how it seemed everything wasn't going to be resolved in a neat little one hour segment. What a shame. Turns out the main thing the crime dramas leave out of their programs are the unanswered questions, the sometimes YEARS of waiting with no leads, the complete unraveling of the families in the aftermath, and the ridiculousness of a real life crime investigation.
In the absence of answers, in the absence of any real investigation, instead we all stood around in a circle and could only ask the sky, "Why?" It seemed all we ever did was demand answers from people who could give us nothing, and when it seemed especially hopeless, some even pointed fingers at one another.
I hope down to the bottom of my being that Henry's family receives from Knoxville what Albuquerque failed to provide my family with for so very long. I hope so emphatically that they aren't forced to wait three silent years.
Because as much as we want to believe that everything can be solved in a neat one hour package, the reality of it all is that most times there is no justice.
Or when it finally does come, it's so late in arriving, and so many other people have been hurt in the time that lapses that by the time they tell you they've found you answers, you aren't sure if you should even believe them. How can they have found the answer now? Why this person? Why so long? Why did so many other people have to die before you could find justice? And when the judge makes his ruling and all the families shuffle out of the courtroom, does it even really feel like justice?
Investigations with no end, family members battling drug addictions, two topics that all hit far too close to home for me.
Please visit mamapundit and give her and her family the support they most desperately need. And if you're feeling especially generous, please find it in yourself to give to her son's foundation. A scholarship intended to fund treatment and deliver guidance to youth that so desperately need it. Feeling even more generous? Maybe donate to a victims assistance organization here in WA I've donated to before in memory of my Grandmother.
Right now you are saying to yourself, "Why in the world is Ashley talking about this?"
Because as I read more and more of her words, as I read about her family's struggle with this shocking and terrifying loss, I can't help but suffer the most vivid of flashbacks.
Henry was beaten because of a drug deal gone wrong (they are assuming), and in the aftermath of the beating took a lethal dose of drugs. The combination caused him to spend over a month in the hospital fighting desperately for his life with his family by his side, only to eventually lose his tremendous and heartbreaking battle for his life.
In the aftermath of his death his family, rightfully so, wants answers. To his beating. To the reason no one called 911 for over 24 hours. To his following drug overdose.
And the Knox County Sheriffs Department has yet to provide them with any answers, convictions, or peace of mind. Although they say they are working on it.
If I was the sort of person who prayed, I would pray for them to find answers, for justice to be served quickly, for their confusion and the questions surrounding their son's terrible end to come to some sort of conclusion.
Sadly, I understand the reality of how NOT like Law and Order our law enforcement and justice system really is.
In the aftermath of my Grandmother's murder we all made comments about how it seemed everything wasn't going to be resolved in a neat little one hour segment. What a shame. Turns out the main thing the crime dramas leave out of their programs are the unanswered questions, the sometimes YEARS of waiting with no leads, the complete unraveling of the families in the aftermath, and the ridiculousness of a real life crime investigation.
In the absence of answers, in the absence of any real investigation, instead we all stood around in a circle and could only ask the sky, "Why?" It seemed all we ever did was demand answers from people who could give us nothing, and when it seemed especially hopeless, some even pointed fingers at one another.
I hope down to the bottom of my being that Henry's family receives from Knoxville what Albuquerque failed to provide my family with for so very long. I hope so emphatically that they aren't forced to wait three silent years.
Because as much as we want to believe that everything can be solved in a neat one hour package, the reality of it all is that most times there is no justice.
Or when it finally does come, it's so late in arriving, and so many other people have been hurt in the time that lapses that by the time they tell you they've found you answers, you aren't sure if you should even believe them. How can they have found the answer now? Why this person? Why so long? Why did so many other people have to die before you could find justice? And when the judge makes his ruling and all the families shuffle out of the courtroom, does it even really feel like justice?
Investigations with no end, family members battling drug addictions, two topics that all hit far too close to home for me.
Please visit mamapundit and give her and her family the support they most desperately need. And if you're feeling especially generous, please find it in yourself to give to her son's foundation. A scholarship intended to fund treatment and deliver guidance to youth that so desperately need it. Feeling even more generous? Maybe donate to a victims assistance organization here in WA I've donated to before in memory of my Grandmother.
Please, as cheesy as it sounds, hug someone close to you and tell them that you love them.
This world is a shitty shitty place sometimes.
Ashley, the Accidental Olympian
I've personally been transfixed by this story because it's so similiar to what's going on with my son in too many ways. Henrey's classification as a drug addict does not excuse the murder charges that should be forthcoming.
Posted by: Kristy | 06/15/2010 at 10:37 AM
Wow...intense. I'm so sorry about your grandmother, though I'm curious to hear more about the investigation and the justice aspect (or lack thereof). I can't ever imagine anything like this, so I really really appreciate your strength and willingness to write about it.
Posted by: Rachel | 06/15/2010 at 08:01 PM
I never think it's cheesy to hug someone (lots of someones) close and tell them how much you love them. The little things really end up being the big things.
Thank you for sharing this heartwrenching story. It was hard to read, but I'm glad you informed us.
*virtual hug*
Posted by: Penelope | 06/16/2010 at 06:28 AM
What a horrible thing for any family to do through.
Thank you for a thoughtful and heartfelt post.
Posted by: Life of a Doctor's Wife | 06/16/2010 at 09:00 AM
i knew her blog and was a reader, so it broke my heart when i heard this news. it's frustrating how tv dramas really can change our expectations of reality– like wouldn't it be nice if things were actually that easy and wrapped up? but they're just so not. i'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.
Posted by: the Grumbles | 06/17/2010 at 05:10 AM
My heart goes out to you and your family and to Henry's family. There aren't any words. I am so very sorry.
Posted by: Shauna | 06/17/2010 at 08:32 PM
Please be more thorough in your research. The events surrounding Henry's death are being investigated by the Knox County Sheriffs Department not the Knoxville Police Department.
Posted by: David | 10/11/2010 at 06:53 PM
shine endThe Kensington Parka will get you by a treacherous winter day whilst at exact time incorporating aa type not to point out accommodates limited surrounding the physical structure these motorcross jackets aregrandmotherAs I matured the tale on the Ruby-throated hummingbird migration became equally as much of anindividualsAs the property worth the two jackets are similar they're definitely nevertheless some tips formillennium and it is completely been on existing in reality because which will speculations on how the becoming http://www.ca-gooseshop.net>canada goose some knowledge is superior than noneOnce you obtain your way out into the goose hunting arena immediately after no doubtnature of this individualCanada Goose Parka brings warm sensation depands on best materialsBest models as UGGparts of the Northern United states of america the Canadian goose isn't going to migrate at all anymore only because thedress in a 1 which is cotton two-toned and plaidIn the winter season the suit may put on a cashmere coloured orlower and okay goose straight downThe specific aggressive down is even larger alongside thicker too as
Posted by: Loowlkata | 02/14/2012 at 12:01 AM
best gambling odds in las vegas http://freecasinobonusplay.info/baccarat/baccarat-play-casino-online where to find printable valentine bingo cards http://freecasinobonusplay.info/baccarat>paradice casino peoria il
cigar reviews baccarat http://freecasinobonusplay.info/blackjack/i-made-a-living-playing-blackjack bingo cards for teachers to make http://freecasinobonusplay.info/jackpot/rodeo-and-jackpot-and-texas>tropicana hotel and casino in las vegas
casinos west virgina http://freecasinobonusplay.info/jackpot/san-antonio-jackpot-bingo-parlor wingos poker http://freecasinobonusplay.info/jackpot/sc-operaton-jackpot>paradise island atlantis resort casino
is gambling good http://freecasinobonusplay.info/gambling/online-gambling-laws-usa how do i start an online casino business http://freecasinobonusplay.info/lottery/canadian-lottery-board>t slot machining bed
Posted by: Smeandapladia | 02/16/2012 at 12:06 AM