Sue Julsen's Blog - Posts Tagged "hannah-anderson"
HANNAH ANDERSON - Victim or Not? Part One
So far, nothing is adding up in this kidnapping/murder case. So, let's explore some of the "facts" that have been released.
Hannah often went on trips with Jim DiMaggio, just the two of them. They went to Vegas and most recently to Hollywood. He was always picking her up from school.
What parent would let their teenage daughter go off for days with someone old enough to be her father? Does it matter that DiMaggio was a long-time friend of the family? In fact, so close to the family that Hannah and Ethan called him “Uncle” Jim.
Remember, she is only 16 years old!
The day of the alleged kidnapping she was seen riding around town with this 40-year old man. Or, was it the day of the alleged kidnapping?
Original reports stated that she was kidnapped on August 4th, but later we find out DiMaggio picked her up from school on the 3rd.
Hannah has been claiming DiMaggio “creeped her out,” but if this is true, then why did she go on multiple trips with him?
She claims her mother, Christina, and her 8-year old brother, Ethan, were tied up in the garage, DiMaggio had set a timer to explosives, and they left.
When found, Hannah and DiMaggio were in the remote wilderness of Idaho, camping. This is where DiMaggio was shot and killed by police, before he could be questioned. After her “rescue” Hannah claims she didn't know her mother and brother were dead.
How can this be true? She stated she knew the house was set with explosives that would set the house on fire, and that her mother and brother were “tied up” in the garage…but, her brother was not found in the garage.
When police arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. Ethan was found inside the house, burnt so badly DNA had to be used to identify him.
If what Hannah claims is true, how did he get to the house? Did he break free of his bonds? If so, why didn't he help his mother? Was she already dead? Christina Anderson was found inside the garage. Reports said that she had died from blunt force trauma to the head. A bloody crowbar was found near her body.
But, Hannah claims her mother and brother were alive when they left. If this is true, who swung the crowbar, over and over again, bashing in Christina Anderson’s head?
Will we ever know the truth? I sure hope so. Christina and Ethan Anderson deserve justice.
In my next blog on Friday I will post Part Two as we continue exploring more "facts" on Hannah Anderson — Victim or Not?
To learn more of my own personal story of kidnapping and abuse, please visit my website and check out my Bitter Memories series.
HANNAH ANDERSON — Victim or Not? — Part Two
I know everyone reacts differently to trauma, to the death of a loved one, but when my mother died I couldn't manage a smile if my life depended on it. I didn't want to eat, and I sure wasn't a social butterfly.
Any "smile" at my mother's funeral was forced and literally nonexistent as far as a smile goes. I also didn't walk around grinning at other mourners or "skipping" while walking.
FACT: At the funeral of Christina and Ethan Anderson, Hannah was seen smiling, even grinning in a flirtatious manner.
FACT: Hannah was seen at the funeral drinking a Starbucks or wherever she got the drink and "skipping."
Is this the behavior of a girl mourning the death of her mother and brother?
FACT: Hannah made 13 text messages to Jim DiMaggio, claiming she needed to tell him where to pick her up at cheer camp. But, there's question of when these text messages actually took place.
Does it really take THIRTEEN text messages to tell someone to pick you up at the gym, not in front of the school?
FACT: Original story was that DiMaggio picked her up on the 4th from cheer camp, later changed to he picked her up on the 3rd.
FACT: The fire and alleged kidnapping happened on the 4th.
So, where were Christina and Ethan on the 3rd? Were they killed on the 3rd, or held captive?
Fact: Hannah was seen standing next to a girlfriend, the friend was wearing a t-shirt with the picture of Hannah's mother and little brother on the front of the shirt. Both girls were holding their thumb and index finger up as if holding a gun.
FACT: The friend's "gun" was pointing at the head of Ethan, Hannah's 8-year old brother who was found burnt beyond recognition.
Don't forget, Hannah was there when police shot down Jim DiMaggio, a long-time friend of hers and her family! Where's the sorrow, if not for DiMaggio, how about for her mother and brother?
FACT: Before taking down her social sites, Hannah posted numerous pictures of herself, all smiles, acting as if nothing had happened at all.
FACT: A friend of hers posted on a social site that Hannah needed to get home and take care of that "bundle of joy."
This sure sounds like Hannah was pregnant. Who was the father?
Did her mother find out Hannah was pregnant and they had a huge fight?
If they fought, could Hannah have killed her mother in a fit of rage?
FACT: Hannah stated letters she sent to DiMaggio were because he was helping her with her mother when they weren't getting along that well.
FACT: She was angry at her mother, blaming her mother for her father leaving them.
FACT: It's apparent Hannah isn't grieving, but even her father, Brett Anderson, does not act like a man who lost his son and wife in a homicide.
FACT: Brett Anderson hires a publicist and stops talking to the press, holding out for a book deal.
Think about it. A book deal! Where's the anger? Where's the resentment? Where's the tears?
All I've seen is smiles and happiness from this family who lost so much that day, yet show no emotions at all toward that loss. But, nothing stops them from going after money! First a fundraiser, now a book deal.
Is it only the rest of the world who mourns? An innocent little kid, 8-years old was murdered! His mother was murdered!
According to Sheriff Gore, they got their perp. The FBI shot and killed the man who murdered Christina and Ethan Anderson, set his house on fire, and kidnapped Hannah.
But, who set the fire in the garage? It wasn't DiMaggio. He and Hannah were already long gone.
FACT: We know that fire was started after the police and fire department were on the scene of the house in a blaze.
Could the person who set the garage fire actually have been the one who killed Christina and Ethan and set DiMaggio's house on fire?
Could Jim Lee DiMaggio have been innocent of murder and arson?
Could Jim Lee DiMaggio have been innocent of kidnapping Hannah, a girl who called him "Uncle Jim" most of her life and spent many hours alone with this man?
FACT: DiMaggio's sister, Lora, stated that "Hannah is trouble."
Could Hannah have caused the death of an innocent man, and to keep herself out of trouble — "We're all in trouble now" — came up with the kidnapping story?
The next blog on Monday continues part three in my search for the truth.
To learn more of my own personal story of kidnapping and abuse, please visit my website and check out my Bitter Memories series.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
HANNAH ANDERSON — Victim or Not? — Part Three
FACT: At the fundraiser a picture was taken of her standing, wearing a black brace on her left leg. A little while later another picture was taken of her sitting, but the brace was then on her right leg. And, no, the picture was not flipped!
Here are just a few posts from various social sites. I could go on and on, but most of what I've been reading pretty much say the same things.
This person stated: "In the last few days there has been quite [a bit] on the news about the "hiccup" girl that was found guilty of murder even though she didn't actually kill anyone. She helped set someone up to be killed and will be getting 25 years to life. She was a teen too and they tried her as an adult. Hannah is as guilty as this girl even if she only helped lure her mother and brother to JD's [Jim DiMaggio's] house, but I believe she was even more involved. My guess is that Hannah's mother found out that Hannah and JD [Jim DiMaggio] were having sex and was trying to stop it. She may have not wanted them to go on their "road trips" and it escalated from there. At first I wondered too why a parent would let a young girl go on vacation with an older man and then I realized we only have Hannah's side of the story. Her mother probably did everything she could to stop them, I know I would have."
Another post from a site: "Hopefully we get some good news soon about "new developments" that lead to a nice new pair of shiny cuffs for Hannah Banana."
A post from a "friend" of Hannah's wrote: "A lot of my friends and some of my family goes to school with her, and none of them seem to think she's innocent. Can't blame them especially with all of the information about it coming out."
One more post: "As a teenager myself I wouldn't go to any trips with my dads 40 year old friend by myself, unless I had a thing for him. Maybe Hannah had a thing for him?"
Fact: A friend of Hannah's stated that DiMaggio told Hannah, "If you were my age, I'd date you."
Fact: A friend also stated in a TV interview that Hannah was "creeped out" by DiMaggio's statement of dating her if she was his age.
Does it make sense for Hannah to go on trips alone with DiMaggio if he truly creeped her out?
Fact: Hannah willingly went places with DiMaggio, just the two of them. Recently DiMaggio had taken her to Vegas and then to Hollywood for her birthday.
Fact: Hannah posted a picture of the backside of herself, in short-shorts, her hand positioned as if holding the Hollywood sign, with the caption: "Bye Hollywood, bye Malibu, hello river."
Does it make sense for a girl to dress in short-shorts around a man who she believes is infatuated with her? Did she have 'a thing' for DiMaggio? Was she teasing him so he'd do more for her?
Fact: When police found Hannah and DiMaggio they were at "The River of No Return" in Idaho.
Was this camping trip already planned? Her comment, "hello river" sure sounds like it was.
Fact: When the horseback riders saw Hannah and DiMaggio in the wilderness at this River of No Return, Hannah made the statement, "Looks like we're all in trouble now."
Why would she make this statement if she really was a kidnapped victim and DiMaggio was the only guilty party? And, if she was innocent, why did she do absolutely nothing to alert the riders that she was in trouble?
Fact: The riders who saw them at the river said in a statement on TV that "she didn't appear to be held against her will."
Was this just another trip she willingly went on with this man?
FACT: Hannah's great aunt stated, "I just get this feel it's not cut and dry as it seems.
I must agree with the great aunt. This case is far from cut and dry.
Where is Hannah's outrage over the murders of her mother and little brother? For that matter, where is the father's rage? His wife and his little boy are dead. Murdered! Don't you think the murder of his child should invoke feelings of outrage and some show of emotion?
And what possible motive would DiMaggio have had for killing Ethan, an 8-yr old child, the son of his best friend? Do you think this child was likely a threat to a grown man?
Will there be a shiny set of handcuffs waiting for Hannah? Maybe...After all, her behavior has been very bizarre from the start.
The next blog will be Friday as I continue to search for the truth in Part Four of the Hannah Anderson case.
You can read a true story of a kidnapped victim (me) in my book series, Bitter Memories. I WAS kidnapped by my father when I was three years old.
If you (or if you know of someone) who has suffered physical, emotional or mental abuse, rape and/or sexual molestation in silence, my series is for you.
The dialogue is honest and intense as I show the countless attacks and endless horrific events inflicted on me, an innocent child. Bitter Memories, a true story of survival while coping and learning to overcome severe childhood abuse, is truly a human interest story that should be read and shared!
This insightful journey into my childhood of tragedy and sorrow around every corner will take you on a roller coaster ride that you will not soon forget.
WARNING****CONTAINS SEXUAL CONTENT AND EXPLICIT LANGUAGE****
To learn more please visit my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
HANNAH ANDERSON — Victim or Not? — Part Four
While firefighters tended to the log cabin fire, a deputy noticed smoke coming from the north side of the adjacent three-car garage. A short time later an orange glow was noted from the garage. At 8:25 pm. firefighters extinguished the fire inside the garage. When a firefighter noticed human feet protruding from underneath a tarp, firefighters backed out of the garage and police entered.
Police confirmed the body of a woman, face down under a partially melted green tarp. A bloody crowbar was found next to the woman’s body. The officer also found a deceased dog with a gunshot wound to the head, in the middle stall inside the garage. The woman, later identified via fingerprint comparison, was that of Christina Anderson.
Police were able to confirm that on August 3, 2013, Christina attended her son Ethan’s Pop Warner football practice, but unable to attend both Ethan’s practice and her daughter Hannah’s cheerleader camp, she asked long-time friend, Jim DiMaggio, to take her daughter to cheerleader camp. However, police could NOT confirm that Hannah attended cheerleader camp. August 4th Christina and Ethan did not attend his practice, and Hannah Anderson’s whereabouts was unknown.
Law enforcement has ascertained the fire was arson, and the Medical Examiner stated, “death due to known or suspected homicide.”
Christina and Ethan were last seen alive on the afternoon of August 3, 2013.
Christina was only 44 years old when she was brutally beaten to death. Due to the extent of her injuries, her murder was not only overkill, but it was “personal,” and probably the first murder committed by whoever killed her. The motive for such a brutal attack usually stems from extreme anger, hatred and/or extreme frustration.
Note: We already know that Hannah was mad at her mother and blamed her mother for running off her father, Brett Anderson. So many questions remain. Here are just a few questions for my readers to ponder on until the continuation on Monday: Was Hannah angry enough to brutally kill her mother? At that particular moment, did Hannah hate her mother enough to pick up the crowbar and bash her mother’s head in?
Was James DiMaggio that angry at Christina to pick up the crowbar and bash her skull, multiple times? If so, what was the stimuli to make him furious enough to commit cold-blooded murder? DiMaggio had been friends with the family for years. What could have changed to make him hate Christina Anderson so much that he would brutally beat her to death?
Jim DiMaggio, without proof, was convicted from the start for killing Christina and her son Ethan, and the family dog, kidnapping Hannah, and setting his home on fire.
But, could there be another person lurking out there who actually committed this heinous crime and set DiMaggio’s house on fire to cover up what had happened?
It is possible…
Unfortunately, and so convenient for the actual killer, DiMaggio was shot and killed before he could be questioned. What would his story have been? How would it differ from what Hannah has been telling?
This next part is very disturbing as it is taken from the official autopsy report of Christina Marie Anderson. Since most of us are not doctors or medical students, the medical lingo is a bit overwhelming. I’m trying to get an appointment to talk to a coroner because some of the information contradicts itself (based on what I can find out about what happens to the body after death) but, with the help of my medical dictionary, I will try to put at least part of this in layman’s terms.
The autopsy was performed on August 6, 2013 documented blunt force injuries of the head and extremities, an incised wound of the neck, and thermal burns of the head, torso, and extremities. A minimum of 12 blunt force impact sites were on the head.
Blunt force injury of head included abrasions (scrapes), contusions (soft tissue damage), and lacerations (jagged tears, cuts or gashes) of the face and scalp, with a minimum of 12 impact sites.
Comminuted (pulverized) skull fractures with subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages (bleeding), and cerebral contusions. (This is saying that the 12 blows to the head broke, splintered and/or crushed or pulverized the skull into a number of pieces, and that there was bleeding around the brain.)
The wounds were concentrated on the left back of the head with several on the right forehead and the bridge of the nose. Several abrasions, contusions, and lacerations were on the right arm and left leg with fractures of the right radius and ulna.
Multiple layers (at least 3) of silver metallic duct tape were wrapped around the face, mouth and neck. Portions of the tape layers were resting over the lower lip and teeth with the upper dentition (teeth) exposed. The tape wrapped around the cheeks to the back of the head and an additional loop was across the neck.
There were cuts in the tape along the left side of the neck overlying a gapping incised wound (sharp forced injury to the neck) of the anterior (front) left part of the neck. The wound extended to the thyroid cartilage with superficial incisions of the left common carotid artery and internal jugular vein. There was a minimal amount of blood associated with the wound. The incised wound of the neck was most likely inflicted postmortem/perimortem and was not contributory to her death. (This means her throat was cut either after death or near the time of death).
Her right arm was across the chest, flexed at the elbow with the hand next to her face. Her left arm was flexed at the elbow with the hand near her head. (The positioning of the arms could mean she had her arms up trying to protect herself from her attacker).
Full and partial thickness thermal burns (caused by an external heat source) were on the left side of the head and neck, right upper back, and hands covering approximately 7% of total body surface area.
Partial and full thickness burns with charring were on the left side of the head, neck, upper back, and arms.
No soot was identified in the airway, so the thermal burns most likely occurred after death.
The body was in an early state of decomposition.
The melted green tarp lifted easily off her legs and torso but was tightly adhered to the left neck, shoulder, and head area. Portions of singed hair and skin came off with the tarp as it was removed.
She had on a red tank top with “Mickey” and “Minnie Mouse” logo, blue denim jeans, with the zipper all the way up and button fastened. (This indicates that she was not sexually assaulted).
Located in the right back pocket of the jeans was a bank ATM card bearing the decedent’s name. Three U.S. $1.00 bills were in the left back pocket.
Rigor mortis was overcome with minimal force.
POSTMORTEM CHANGES: Rigor mortis has passed in the upper and lower extremities, neck, and jaw. (In most cases, rigor mortis begins 1 - 2 hours after death, and begins to pass after 24 hours. Rigor dissipates due to decomposition in about 36 to 48 hours). NOTE: From the time Christina's body was discovered inside the garage, it was SIXTEEN hours before she was examined.
Multiple flies were on the body and clusters of fly eggs were noted on the face.
Livor mortis was anterior, purple-red, and nonblanching to pressure, meaning that she was not moved after death. (Livor mortis begins 1 to 3 hours after death and is fully developed in 10 - 12 hours. Livor mortis is the settling of blood under the force of gravity after the heart stops pumping, producing purple-red discoloration of the skin on the lowest areas of the body, but this discoloration does not occur in the areas where the body is resting on the ground or on other objects. Nonblanching means livor is fully developed, or set, and will not shift with movement.)
There were green putrefactive changes (early stages of decomposition) along the dependent portions of the body and also along the neck. There are putrefactive changes including skin bleb formation (blisters) with skin slippage, vascular marbling, and gas artifact (bloating).
A laceration was on the right forehead and a gaping wound with exposed thyroid cartilage was on the anterior neck. The right wrist had palpable fractures.
There were blunt force injuries of the head and extremities, sharp force injury of the neck, and thermal burns of head, torso, and extremities. There are no abrasions, contusions, or lacerations on the left arm or the right leg.
BURNS: There are full and partial thickness thermal burn with charring along the left side of the face and head. The burns extend anteriorly to the forehead and left cheek, and posteriorly to the occipital scalp. The left external ear has marked heat artifact contracture. There is partial and full thickness thermal burn with charring along the mid and right upper back over an area 5 x 3 inches. There are partial and full thickness thermal burns with charring along the dorsal and palmar (palm) aspects of the right thumb and fingers. The nails are burned. There is full thickness thermal burn without charring along the palmar surface of the hand. There are partial and full thickness thermal burns of the dorsal surface of the left hand, wrist, and forearm, with only a small amount of charring along the distal aspect of the thumb and index finger.
A small amount of greasy, yellow decompositional fluid is in the pleural (membrane around the lung) cavities. A small amount of greasy, yellow decompositional fluid is present in the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity. The organs have generalized softening and discoloration and gas artifact, consistent with early putrefaction (decay).
The right radius and ulnar (forearm) are fractured.
The eyes have opaque corneas and dark appearing irides. There is a bulbar conjunctival hemorrhage of the left eye at the 3 o’clock position.
There is softening and discoloration of the brain parenchyma (tissue), consistent with early decomposition.
The trachea and larynx are patent and lined by smooth mucosa with a small amount of green postmortem artifact. There is no soot in the airway.
All of the nails are burnt. A small amount of dried blood is present in the nares (nostrils).
Heart, Lungs, Liver: shows autolysis (digestion of cells by their own enzymes), postmortem bacterial overgrowth, and gas artifact.
Kidney: Section shows autolysis and postmortem bacterial overgrowth. There is no glomerulosclerosis (capillaries which remove body waste/urine. The bladder was empty.
The abdomen is mildly distended by putrefactive gas.
There is no trauma to the genitalia or anus. (Means she was not raped).
No drugs or alcohol were detected.
Based on the autopsy findings and the circumstances of the death as currently understood, the cause of death is listed as blunt force injury of head, and the manner of death is classified as homicide.
This next part basically wraps up most everything above, but there are parts about some injuries and the sizes of some wounds not included above.
Located on the left side of the head along the inferior margin of the tape layers is a 1/2 inch incision. Multiple additional parallel incisions are noted on the row of tape along the anterior left neck. There is drying artifact of the lips.
Parallel, linear, repeating compression marks are along the right cheek, ranging from 3/16 inch in length up to 3/4 inches in length. They all measure 1/8 inch in width and are separated by 3/16 inch of intact skin (pattern corresponds to plastic hose underneath the body at the scene).
A horizontally oriented, gapping incised wound is across the front and left side of the neck.
There is postmortem green discoloration of the exposed soft tissues. The thyroid cartilage is visible in the depth of the wound and has several superficial incisions on the surface with no surrounding hemorrhage.
There are compound fractures of the distal right radius and ulna. A patterned compression
mark composed of linear, parallel, repeating lines is on the dorsal surface of the right upper arm. The dorsal surfaces of the fingers of the right hand are charred. There is a small amount of thermal burn along the palmar surface of the right hand.
POSTMORTEM CHANGES: There are putrefactive changes including skin bleb formation with skin slippage, vascular marbling, and gas artifact. The putrefactive green discoloration is most prominent around the face, neck, left upper chest, shoulder, and on the abdomen and left inguinal line.
Monday's post will be Part Five, the autopsy report on Ethan Anderson.
Stop on by my website and check out my books, and I'll see you right here again on Monday night.
HANNAH ANDERSON — Victim or Not? — Part Five
The body of 8-year old Ethan Anderson was not found until the following day after the fire that burned the two-story log cabin home of James Lee DiMaggio to the ground.
Ethan’s body was discovered Monday, August 5th, lying on top of rubble at the southeast corner of the home, on the homes’ foundation. Only the south and west walls of the home were left standing.
On August 4th the detached garage sustained minimal fire damage, and this is where Ethan’s mother, Christina, was found inside the workshop area of DiMaggio’s three-car garage after orange flames and smoke were noticed while fire department personnel were fighting the house fire. She had been brutally beaten to death.
Partial excerpts from the Forensic Anthropology Report on Ethan Anderson, reworded to plain English: The top of the head is missing, exposing brain tissue. Both arms are missing, except for a very small portion of the left long bone of the upper arm. (Basically, the ball joint of the left shoulder was all that remained of the left arm). Most of the ribs are reduced to stubs attached to the chest bone of the spinal column. The spine is arched to the right, as a result of burning. The legs are missing from the feet to several inches above the knee. Two separate charred chunks of tissue represent the left and right knee. A third piece represents the left foot. The internal organs are thoroughly cooked.
There is no mention that the top of the head, the arms or the right foot were ever found.
As you can tell from this report, there wasn't much left of Ethan’s body. Where about 7% of Christina’s body was burned, Ethan’s body was probably less than 7% that was not burned, most to the point of cremation.
AUTOPSY SUMMARY OF ETHAN ANDERSON:
Charred remains found in burned two-story house.
A. Extensive charring of entire body with absence of calvarium (top part of the skull), abdominal and thoracic (chest) walls, right arm, left lower arm, right lower leg, and portions of left
lower leg.
B. Thermal related fractures.
C. Charring of internal organs.
D. Charring of bones.
E. No soot in airways; no carbon monoxide testing possible.
OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OPINION: According to investigative information and scene visit, firefighters responded to a call at a two-story log cabin residence in Boulevard, California, on the evening of August 4, 2013.
When firefighters arrived, the two-story residence was fully engulfed in flames. Additional smoke and orange flame glow were noted coming from the corner of the separate garage on the property.
Firefighters put out the garage fire and then found the decedent’s mother underneath a partially melted green plastic tarp. She was found bound, gagged, and with blunt force head injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene without resuscitation.
The charred remains of the decedent [Ethan Anderson] were recovered the following day by firefighters clearing debris from the burned two-story log cabin residence.
Scene evidence indicated the two separate fires had been intentionally set. Also, the decedent’s family dog was found dead from a gunshot wound in the garage.
The decedent and his mother had been last seen alive on the afternoon of Saturday August 3, 2013.
The residence was owned by his mother’s friend [James Lee DiMaggio].
He apparently fled California with the decedent’s sixteen-year-old sister and was later found in Idaho and shot dead by FBI agents.
The autopsy was performed on August 6, 2013, in the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. Examination documented extensive charring of the entire body and internal organs. The calvarium (top of the head), abdominal and thoracic walls, right arm, left lower arm, right lower leg, and portions of left lower leg were cremated. He had fractures of the skull, ribs, and long bones; these were most likely thermal-related, but, traumatic causes cannot be completely excluded.
There was no apparent natural disease, although examination was limited by burns.
There was no soot in the airway. Toxicology testing of liver detected no common drugs of abuse. Urine screens detected no illicit drugs or medications. No blood specimen was available for testing.
No cause of death could be determined with certainty due to the large amount of tissue loss and thermal artifact.
Homicidal violence including blunt force injury, sharp force injury, asphyxia, and gunshot wounds cannot be excluded.
While no carbon monoxide testing could be done, no soot was found in the airway to indicate smoke inhalation.
It is unknown whether the decedent was alive at the time of the fire or already dead. It is possible that he died of thermal burns without smoke inhalation in the house fire.
Based on the autopsy findings and the circumstances of the death as currently understood, the cause of death is listed as undetermined (charred remains) and the manner of death is classified as homicide.
Fire personnel guided us through the partially supported burned log cabin to an area in the southeast corner where they had been clearing debris. At 1330 hours (1:30 pm) the charred human remains were examined.
The body was prone with the head pointing north and the thighs pointing south. The top of the skull was absent and the exposed brain was charred.
Portions of charred facial bones including a portion of mandible (jaw) with teeth were identified.
The neck, torso, portion of right arm, and thighs were charred and there were heat artifact fractures of the exposed bones.
Exposed ribs and charred organs including lungs, heart, liver, and intestines were visible on the anterior torso. No external genitalia were identified.
Several additional smaller charred bone fragments were found in adjacent debris.
The remains were still smoldering and hot to touch.
This part breaks down specific areas of the body, listing the parts that were burned:
INTERNAL EXAMINATION BODY CAVITIES: The chest and abdominal cavities are widely open with the charred internal organs exposed.
HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM: The anterior and lateral aspects of the right liver lobe are charred. The gallbladder is charred and contracted.
HEMOLYMPHATIC SYSTEM: A portion of the spleen is charred. The anterior mediastinal tissues (area of the chest between the lungs, the heart and other organs) are charred.
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM: The stomach is contracted with heat artifact and is empty. Loops of small and large intestines have variable degrees of charring.
GENITOURINARY SYSTEM: The left kidney is absent from burns. The testes are not identified due to burns.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: The thyroid gland is charred and firm. The left adrenal gland is not identified due to burns.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM: There are no obvious fractures of the vertebrae. Only small fragments of the clavicle and the manubrium (upper part) of the sternum remain. Multiple ribs show heat artifact fractures. The pelvis has charred iliac crests and has no other obvious fracture. The skeletal arrangement of muscle present is charred.
HEAD: Only portions of the maxilla (upper jaw), nasal bones, orbits (eye socket), mandible (lower jaw) and sphenoid bone (part of the nose) remain.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The charred brain; portions of the outer layer of the front of the brain, the brain stem, and the rear part of the brain are identified.
NECK: The majority of the neck soft tissue is charred. The charred strap muscles remove with difficulty. The left hyoid wing is not identified in the charred tissue. The tongue is charred and contracted. The cervical vertebrae have no obvious fracture. There is no soot in the airway.
LUNGS: No soot is identified in the bronchi or bronchioles. There are no chronic bronchial asthmatic changes. There is no pneumonia.
A few days ago I learned, the same night of the funeral, Hannah had a slumber party with her cousins. The picture taken showed Hannah and her cousins with big smiles, laughing, but not a shred of sorrow.
Here are a few more questions for my followers to ponder, before the next blog on Friday.
Hannah's mother was brutally murdered; her little brother, burned so badly not all of his body could be recovered and, because of the extensive burns, we don't even know if this little boy was dead before the fire.
I ask you: How could this girl, Ethan's sister, "party" the same night her mother and brother were buried?
Is this the behavior of someone who is "innocent?" Or, is this the behavior we should expect from someone enjoying freedom from her mother, a woman she was already mad at? Freedom from having to watch after a younger brother? Is Hannah the one who took the crowbar and bashed in her mother's head? Is Hannah guilty of one or both of these heinous murders?
Think about all the facts that have been presented since Part One. Read the autopsy reports. Make up your own mind on who you think could be guilty of cold-blooded murder.
Friday I will have more for you to think about, all based on facts.
Until then, please visit my website and check out my books, especially my Bitter Memories series about survival while coping and learning to overcome severe childhood abuse. This insightful journey into my childhood of tragedy and sorrow around every corner will take you on a roller coaster ride that you will not soon forget.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
HANNAH ANDERSON — Victim or Not? — Part Six
August 3rd was the last time, that we know of, that anyone saw Christina and Ethan alive.
The fire that burned down DiMaggio’s house and burned Ethan’s body beyond recognition, was on August 4th.
August 24th was the day of the funeral, with a poster near the altar of Christina and Ethan, and another poster of their dog, also killed from a gunshot wound to the head.
September 21st, supposedly a tribute to Christina, a party called “Flat Tina” occurred at a bar with everyone who attended drinking and laughing and having a jolly good time. Brett Anderson, Christina’s husband; the father of Ethan, was right there, drinking and posing for pictures, smiling while women were hugging him and pinching his nipple.
Sara Britt, Christina’s mother was also there, smiling and laughing and buying her share of the rounds of drinks. From the pictures, Aunt Jen and Uncle Steve were also there, and Aunt Jen was really having a good time.
My last post was the autopsy report on Ethan. Although the coroner wouldn't say that this little boy had been brutally murdered, the evidence presented in the autopsy report suggested that Ethan was possibly dismembered. We know his body was left in the house to burn.
I admit I could be wrong on this, and I still haven’t been able to get the appointment to talk face to face with a coroner, but I do not know of any house fire that could remove the top part of a person’s head, or remove arms and legs and scatter those away from the body.
From the autopsy report: Homicidal violence, including blunt force injury, sharp force injury, asphyxia, and gunshot wounds cannot be excluded. Cannot rule out traumatic fractures. It is unknown whether the decedent was alive at the time of the fire or already dead.
I ask you: How can Hannah not show emotion when talking about the death of her mother and little brother? How can Brett go to a party in such a short time after the funeral of his wife and son and act as if nothing had ever happened?
How can Christina’s own mother go to this party and buy rounds of drinks for everyone, as if nothing had happened to her daughter and grandson?
I never knew these people, but I was in tears just writing the details from Christina and Ethan’s autopsy reports!
I’d like to know: Does everyone in this family have ice water in their veins? These were brutal murders of family members they were supposed to love and care about!
Hannah says no one knows the whole story about what happened, but her and her family. However, until her father started working on his book deal, Hannah hadn't been hesitant about going on TV, giving interviews and putting herself in the spotlight. Why hasn't she been open about what actually happened IF she is innocent? And, her father…is he more interested in trying to make a buck off this tragedy? It sure seems like it.
From day one there have been more questions in this case than answers. The police, jumping to conclusions, assumed DiMaggio killed Christina, Ethan and the dog, set his own house on fire and kidnapped Hannah, but there was no proof that a kidnapping ever occurred. Hannah always went with him places. Even out of town, just the two of them, for days at a time. There was no proof that DiMaggio killed Christina and Ethan or the dog. There was no proof that he set his house on fire.
Have the police considered this case closed because they screwed up? To thoroughly investigate they might have to admit they jumped the gun and they were wrong, but in doing so, if DiMaggio was innocent, they also might bring the real killer to justice.
From the photo and comment posted by Hannah when she and DiMaggio were leaving Hollywood — “hello river” — this suggests the camping trip to Idaho was a planned event. They were found at the River of No Return in Idaho, a place that DiMaggio’s sister said she and her brother had been to many times, and that they loved that particular place.
The horseback riders who saw them camping near this river stated that she didn't appear to be in any trouble. One of them is a retired sheriff and Army officer, who had been trained to "pick up" on various situations. Does it not seem odd that he wouldn't notice that something was "off" if Hannah had actually been kidnapped? Also, if DiMaggio had kidnapped Hannah, wouldn't he run after being seen? Or, wouldn't he at least start packing up their stuff to change their location, not knowing when the riders would come back, or who they would tell?
From what the horseback riders said during an interview, it didn't sound like DiMaggio acted like a fugitive, and he surely didn't act like a man who had killed two people and burned his house to the ground. Was this just another trip Hannah took with DiMaggio, willingly? Because of the death of DiMaggio, and police storming in, and their own reactions to “finding” her, couldn't this be one reason Hannah let them believe she had been kidnapped?
DiMaggio and Hannah were seen driving around town together, but it is unclear whether this was on August 3rd or the 4th, or some other day. Originally, Hannah stated that DiMaggio picked her up from cheer camp on the 4th but later we learned he picked her up on the 3rd. Whatever day it was they were seen in town, were they buying camping equipment then, or had they already bought the equipment for that trip?
Also, Hannah is not a cheerleader. What business would she have for going to cheerleading camp? Was camp the only thing going on at school that day that she could use as an excuse to get away from her mother? If so, where did she go during the time her mother was at Ethan’s football practice? The police could not confirm she was ever at cheerleading camp.
Oops! Did Hannah slip up on this one, too? She stated there were 13 text messages telling DiMaggio where to pick her up after cheer camp, and that he didn't have the address. Well, if he dropped her off at cheer camp, as previously stated, then why would he not know the address? Even if he didn't have the actual address, he’d still know where he dropped her off.
Besides, DiMaggio had been taking her to school activities and picking her up for months, maybe even years. Why would it take 13 messages to give him an address and tell him to pick her up at the gym instead of in front of the school?
Although not likely, I can see a max of maybe 3 messages to give him this information, but not THIRTEEN! What were those text messages REALLY about?
And, what about the letters the police found from Hannah to DiMaggio? What did they discover, if anything, in those letters?
What about the used condoms that were found? Did the police run DNA tests on these?
Did they do an autopsy on the dog to determine time of death?
What about the D&C papers that were found inside Christina’s car? Did the police check into this? If Hannah had an abortion and her mother found out about it, which the D&C papers suggests, then her mother would be furious, and she’d probably find her daughter and confront her about it. If I was a parent of a teenage girl and I’d just found papers such as these, I know I sure would. I’d also want to know how far along she was, who the father was, who paid for the abortion, and who took her to the appointment for the abortion.
If I was a good mother, I’d also question why she didn't come to me in the first place. Then again, I wouldn't allow my teenager to go out of town with an older man, friend of the family or not. So, I guess we can say Christina wasn't the best mother on the planet, but in light of finding out her daughter had an abortion, she probably jumped to conclusions on who the father might have been; maybe she even believed their old friend, Jim DiMaggio was the father. Maybe this was the reason she went to his house — to confront him; not the reason Hannah gave. He wasn't losing his house, there was no proof he was moving out of state, and there has been no proof that he “tricked” them into coming over.
Unfortunately, Jim DiMaggio had already been tried and convicted by the police, and then shot down by the police. He never had the chance to defend himself. He didn't get the opportunity to tell his side of the story. Why didn't the police try talking him down instead of deciding to “shoot to kill” on sight? If DiMaggio did shoot first, where is the gun he used? Think about this: He didn't shoot at, or even pick up a gun when the horseback riders rode in, twice. If you were in the backwoods of nowhere, camping, and a bunch of men came rushing out of bushes, with guns raised, wouldn't you feel threatened and shoot first if you had a gun? The way the crime rate is these days, I think I would.
Hannah was asked in an interview if she had her cell phone when she left with DiMaggio. She stated, “No, it was burned in the fire, with everything else.” Those words “with everything else” appears to connect her phone with the other items that were purposely burnt in the fire to cover up the death of her brother, Ethan. It also puts her at DiMaggio’s house before leaving on the camping trip. Exactly what did she mean by “everything else?” Why would a teenage girl leave her phone behind?
The horseback riders who encountered them, stated that Hannah had on pajama bottoms when they saw her. Where were the clothes she wore August 3rd and 4th? When did she change clothes after leaving school? What did she wear while traveling to Idaho? If she did murder her mother and brother, or even if she participated in the murders, her clothes would have been covered in blood. Were the clothes she had on part of “everything else” that burned? Did the police bother to investigate this?
Hannah is a teenager, but her age does not mean she is not capable of murder. There are far too many news articles about teenagers killing one or both of their parents, who are thankfully, caught. The truth about who committed the murders always shocks the people who knew these “good” kids.
Just because Hannah is 16 years old does not exempt her from being capable of cold-blooded murder. Hannah appears seductive, heartless and cunning. Isn't it possible that she is not innocent? Isn't it possible that she was so furious at her mother that she could have picked up the crowbar and killed Christina in a blind rage? Isn't it possible that she killed the dog because the dog liked Ethan more than he liked her, or that the dog was attempting to defend someone? Isn't it possible that she killed Ethan, either because deep-down she resented him, or because he was a witness to his mother’s murder?
Police reported that Hannah and Jim DiMaggio’s cell phones were both turned off around 4 p.m. on August 4th, but Hannah’s phone was turned on, briefly, around 8 pm on the 4th. The fire was reported at approximately 8:06 p.m., however, there is no proof that a timer was used to start the fire. Isn't it possible that Hannah’s cell phone was purposely left inside the house, then used to start the fire, either with the alarm set or a call placed to the phone? Loosen a gas line, allow several hours for the gas to build up inside the house, then one little spark is all it would take for the house to go up in flames.
If the phone wasn't used to start the fire, then who was at DiMaggio’s house just before the fire started? Who actually used her phone around 8 p.m., and why? Couldn't this person be the actual killer? Couldn't this person be the one who started the fire? Since the garage fire started AFTER the police and the fire department were on the scene, isn't it possible this person was still on the property, and this person started the fire in the garage while everyone was focused on the house fire?
I've tried to keep my own personal feelings and thoughts out of this blog series and just post the facts, but tonight I had to include some of my own suppositions.
I’m not convinced DiMaggio was anything more than an innocent victim, a man trying to help the daughter of his best friend. It has been said that DiMaggio thought of Hannah as a daughter. Both kids, Hannah and Ethan, called him “Uncle Jim.” He left, with their grandmother, a large amount of money just for Hannah and Ethan. Why would he leave money to a little boy he cared about, and then kill him?
I’m also not convinced that Hannah is innocent. Unlike DiMaggio, she had motive, and she also had opportunity. She could have committed these murders, then called “Uncle Jim” to help her; to protect her. His sister, Lori Robinson, had known Jim all his life. His friend, Andrew, knew him intimately, for years. From what they said about DiMaggio, we heard that he was a kind, caring man. Supposedly, he wouldn't THINK of killing a dog — much less, a CHILD — and the likelihood that he could kill Christina, or anyone else for that matter, was not in his nature.
The police should admit they made a mistake by acting in the position of judge, jury and executioner, and they should continue the investigation on this case. There are just too many unanswered questions and too many discrepancies in Hannah’s story.
As for me, I’m not giving up. I will keep trying to find the truth, whatever that may be. If Jim Lee DiMaggio was guilty of the crimes he was accused of, then so be it. But, if he was innocent, then Christina and Ethan’s killer must be brought to justice.
You can read a true story of a kidnapped victim (me) in my book series, Bitter Memories. I WAS kidnapped by my father when I was three years old.
If you (or if you know of someone) who has suffered physical, emotional or mental abuse, rape and/or sexual molestation in silence, my series is for you. The dialogue is honest and intense as I show the countless attacks and endless horrific events inflicted on me, an innocent child.
Bitter Memories, a true story of survival while coping and learning to overcome severe childhood abuse, is truly a human interest story that should be read and shared! This insightful journey into my childhood of tragedy and sorrow around every corner will take you on a roller coaster ride that you will not soon forget.
To learn more please visit my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
Book Excerpts from my Bitter Memories Series
Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache &Survival — Book One “Sarah, get up! We have to go.”
“Why, Daddy? I thought you liked Carolyn.”
“Don’t argue with me! Get up and let’s get outta here!”
He sounded funny in a scary-sort of way, and his eyes had that strange haunted look I hadn't seen in a long time. Without another word I went to the bathroom and got dressed. When I came out, he’d wrecked Carolyn’s house just like all the others, except this time Daddy had a big smile on his face.
“Sarah, we hit it big, baby!” Holding up his hand, he held a wad of money. “Over a thousand dollars in a cookie jar, Sarah! No more garages for a long time!”
Drowning In Memories, Book Two: Part One
Bitter Tasting Memories
“What the hell?” Bending down, he said, “Sarah, honey, what are you doing on the floor? What happened?”
Olivia had left me lying on the floor, the towel still thrown over me. I tried to move, moaning from the pain my body felt with the movement. I started to cry.
“Why are you on the bathroom floor, Sarah?” Henry asked again with deep concern in his voice.
“She beat me…paddle with holes,” I whispered, too weak to raise my head.
Henry pulled the towel up, saw the marks, and became furious. “Olivia did this?”
Drowning In Memories: Part Two
After Midnight
(Cover shown is on the Kindle single edition)
The last couple of months I’d watched him gradually wither and become more fragile than he’d already been. His complexion, a dull ash color. His once sparkling blue eyes now held a cloudy film, extinguishing the sparkle.
While watching him struggle to take his next labored breath, a dull, empty ache gnawed at my soul. I knew death was knocking at the door.
My heart ached with nostalgia when he looked over at me sitting beside him. He smiled one last time before he closed his eyes and his chest ceased to rise.
The grandfather I had loved so dearly was gone.
Drowning In Memories: Bonus Story
One In A Million: A True Story of Friendship
(Cover shown is on the Kindle single edition)
Listening to David talk about life and how precious a gift life was, I discovered another world through his eyes. A world filled with love and beauty. Through his words I found the strength I needed to go on, but also, through his eyes, I realized how selfish I’d been the night I took the pills.
Cutter’s Revenge, Book Three
In the nightmare I see my mother, smiling, as she falls over a banister. I watch, unable to move, while my mother keeps falling and falling and falling, until finally, she lands six stories down on the tile floor. Only then do I find the courage to move from my watchful sanctuary. I run up to the lifeless form, sprawled and broken, but it isn't my mother on the floor. It’s a woman chopped in pieces; body parts thrown around the room; blood everywhere.
Trophy Murders:
(parts of this are found in Drowning In Memories, but this one is a special edition for my fiction fans, mixing truth with an awesome crime story).
She struggled to stay on her feet while the audience continued to spin. An extremely large number of kids had gathered. A thousand swayed in front of her.
When her legs no longer would hold her up, Sarah slowly sank to the floor.
Picturing her aunt’s face, she thought, Great! Just fucking great! “Olivia’s going to love this,” she mumbled. “First day and already I get myself into a fight right outside the office doors. Will she believe it wasn't my fault; I didn't start it? Shit! I doubt it. She never believed me before, so why would this be any different?”
If you (or if you know of someone) who has suffered physical, emotional or mental abuse, rape and/or sexual molestation in silence, my series is for you.
Bitter Memories, a true story of survival while coping and learning to overcome severe childhood abuse, is truly a human interest story that should be read and shared!
This insightful journey into my childhood of tragedy and sorrow around every corner will take you on a roller coaster ride that you will not soon forget. The dialogue is honest and intense as I show the countless attacks and endless horrific events inflicted on me, an innocent child.
To learn more please visit my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
A True Story of Kidnapping & Abuse
When I was 9 years old I wrote my first poem about my mother, the same night after her funeral. I continued to write until my aunt found a manuscript I'd been working on for over two years. Without reading it, she called it garbage, a waste of time and paper, then forced me to watch as she tore it up and threw it in the trash.
I was so devastated I gave up writing until after I'd left home at age 18.
For many years I struggled constantly to tackle my childhood demons. I wrote my first full-length non-fiction book, Bitter Memories A Memoir of Heartache & Survival, about my memories after the kidnapping.
With a total of eight books now written, and working on more, today I live to write and I write to live. Never again will I allow anyone to prevent my desire of doing what's in my blood — I will continue to write from the heart.
Here is a comment from one of my readers, another survivor of abuse: "The shame and guilt is such a burden not only for the child but the adult that child becomes. It is proliferated by so many people who are ignorant to child abuse. It not only destroys the child but it destroys the family. It works for generations to become as a parasite. Your books are bringing this to the fore front. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone and someone else out there knows how you feel every day of your life, is enough to help you move forward. This is what you have done. The steps you took are so big that only those who have suffered abuse can understand the courage and inner strength it took you to face those inner demons and to face ignorance of people who criticize things you have said. The world is your stage, Sue, and we are all applauding you. You have helped more people than you will ever know."
If you've suffered physical, emotional or mental abuse, rape and/or sexual molestation in silence, or if you know someone who has been abused, my Bitter Memories series is for you. This is a story other survivors will relate to. The dialogue is honest and intense as it shows the endless horrific events inflicted on me, an innocent child.
Bitter Memories, a true story about overcoming severe childhood abuse and my fight to survive, will take you on a roller coaster ride you will not soon forget as you take this insightful journey into my childhood of tragedy and sorrow around every corner.
To learn more about me and my books please visit my website.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
From Heartache to Survival
Until then, please visit my website and check out my current books available. My bestselling Bitter Memories series is about extreme child abuse and my fight to survive after being kidnapped by my father, plus other times from my life.
Starting at age three, my life was filled with sorrow, neglect and abuse. Hurt time and again by people who claimed to love me, I grew up in the shadow of fear, uncertainty and hate. For six long years I lived a life on the run, starving, abused and terrified. So terrified, in order to survive...
Sorry, you'll have to read the books to find out more. But, I will tell you this: You have no idea how much pain a little kid can suffer — and still survive — until you read Bitter Memories: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
Here are my Facebook author/fan pages. Don't forget to click "like" while you're there:
https://www.facebook.com/sue.julsen2
https://www.facebook.com/BitterMemori...
https://www.facebook.com/TMTrilogyBook2
https://www.facebook.com/CuttersRevenge
A Look Inside the Series
The Bitter Memories series starts with the “do not talk about” subject of child abuse. While some people refuse to admit children are abused, within a dysfunctional, abusive family, what goes on there is a forbidden subject — always.
Being a survivor of extreme child abuse I don’t remember many happy times growing up. I do remember the bitterness I felt and the heartache on a daily basis.
Still, no matter how badly I was treated, I always had this fight inside of me. I was determined to survive — no matter how badly I was treated.
WARNING****CONTAINS SEXUAL CONTENT AND EXPLICIT LANGUAGE****
The "original" second in the series, Trophy Murders, written for my fiction fans, continues my story after going to live with Uncle Henry (the cop) and his heavy-handed wife, Olivia. A life, by the way, I wouldn't wish on any kid!
Remembering possible murders from my childhood, I needed to bring these memories (or nightmares) into focus, while still giving my uncle, the cop, an important role.
Exposing more about my life after the kidnapping, dear Uncle Henry fights his own battles — not only with the secrets and lies he’s kept hidden for so many years, but I give him a gang of serial killers to deal with. Will he bring this gang to justice? Will I find my answers to the dark memories of death from my nightmares?
Drowning In Memories, the non-fiction second in the series, tosses out all the fictional parts from Trophy Murders. Written in two parts, Part One continues my life after going to live with my uncle, the cop, and his heavy-handed wife.
Part Two goes into detail about my mother's sister, who I ended up living with and running away from, and of a time I literally ran from an abusive husband with nothing but my Siamese cat and what clothes I could fit into a paper sack, finding I was happier than I'd ever been in my life.
I also get to know my big brother who I'd seen once but never met or talked to in book one.
Dedicated to my brother John, this book also includes a bonus story, a very special tribute to a wonderful man who gave me hope to go on after a suicide attempt. This man actually changed the direction of my life.
Cutter’s Revenge, the last in the series, was when I decided I'd had enough. I wanted a pound of revenge! And I wanted some happiness in my life!
Introducing another serial killer for my uncle to battle, he continues to struggle with his secrets and lies that he knows will destroy him if he doesn't confess, but he also believes if I learn the truth it could destroy me.
There’s a lot more to Cutter than meets the eye, but with Cutter’s help in this twisted tale of terror, I get my revenge. Cutter’s Revenge is unrelentingly suspenseful.
After Midnight, available on Kindle as a single, is part two in Drowning In Memories while One In A Million, also available as a single, is the bonus story.
Discover all eight of my current books by visiting my website where you can read the full descriptions of each one.
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen
