I personally don't think the parents are involved. The more people you involve, the more likely that someone will contradict you and the larger amount of forensic evidence. And the more people you ask for help the bigger the risk that someone will tell the police. Just my thoughts on the parents.
I also don't think the infamous 'kiss' is an indication that they are sociopaths. Unfortunately the kiss happened and I wish I hadn't been watching the news that night when they showed it.
I used to believe that too. Then, over a period of many years, I observed a family which seemed to suffer, collectively, from scum genes
Oh, on the surface they were lovely. Friendly, even appearing humble at times. To begin with, I didn't know their history - didn't know that those of middle-age had, in their youth, been proper little monsters - break and enter, drunk driving, bullying, cowardice, etc. etc.
Was only when they became parents themselves to children of the same ilk, that I first observed them. The younger generation members were into drugs, drug-dealing, theft, arson, break and enter, bullying, lying, general trouble-making, etc.
For example, one of the sons was an arsonist (and bully, thief, break and enter, trashing people's lovely homes, etc. etc.) In each instance of arson, for example,
HE was the one to phone the fire-brigade.
THEN he dashed out heroically to
'save the poor animals' (he'd set fire to a small natural reserve within a nice suburban area. The fire-brigade gave him particular mention in the news reports, saying what an outstanding young lad he was, how the fire could have done much more damage if he hadn't so promptly called the fire-brigade)
After several fires in close proximity to the boy's home (with him first to ring the fire-brigade in each instance) the penny began to drop. Finally, years later, he set fire to a pioneer shack near a golf course. An old tramp was known to live in it some of the time. It was a rural stretch of land. Everyone knew the old man spent a lot of time in the shack. No-one said anything or objected. He did no harm and kept out of sight 90% of the time. By this point, the now mid-teens arsonist was being regarded by those who knew his history, as a danger. He was finally expelled for other 'activities'. Family clustered 'round and installed him in a boarding school. He bullied a kid. That kid took his own life. Don't know if the arsonist played a role, but again he played hero and told everyone how he'd tried to defend the dead boy. Did a sad-face. I wasn't the only one to see the sly half-smile
Then stealing from other boarders became an issue. The boarding school expelled him. Again the family clustered around and the grandmother took him in. In no time, she'd had a stroke and shingles. Couldn't cope with him. On and on. Back to the father. Boy broke into several factory premises. Stole, trashed them. The owners took on the role of security men themselves. Caught him red-handed. Found the bolt-cutters he'd been using to gain access. Up before a magistrate. Father sang a song, hired another barrister/solicitor team. Boy was ordered to do community-service. And guess where he was placed, after the father and family had called in favours, whined, lied and played victim, etc. Yes, the local fire-brigade had him dumped on them because, as the father whined to the magistrate, ' He's always wanted to be a fire-man. Always just wanted to help people'. His stay there didn't last long. He ran away and became a security-guard, lol. Was dumped from there, too, eventually. Last I heard, a couple of guys online were vowing to put him out of his latest line of business. Bad penny. And probably always will be
Meanwhile, the others of this family's younger generation were gaining a name for themselves further up the coast in Queensland. Drug dealing and using, drunken stupidity, car stealing, tantrum throwing and general low-lives. But so much was covered-up by the extended family via bribes, favours and who they knew. And throughout, the middle-aged family members were running respected businesses in several areas in Qld
The older family members were still up to shennanigans of their own, involving insurance-fraud, drunk driving, domestic violence, underpaying or not paying staff, threatening staff, black-balling staff who'd quit, general skullduggery, etc.
Every single time any of these ratbags was in danger of having to face the consequences of their crimes and actions, the entire clan swung into action, including relocation, immediate hiring of solicitors and barristers -- even paying off the night-reporters at court. One of the kids trashed several expensive houses. Even smashed up their cars with crow-bars. Smashed framed family-portraits and treasured momentos. Even relieved themselves on the carpets and beds. More barristers/solicitors. More paying-off night-reporters to keep the kids' names out of it. Blamed other kids, blamed everyone in sight. The usual tactics -- spread the blame, cast blame on those who's parents couldn't afford barristers, solicitors and bribes. Just keep the putrid 'family name' out of it, no matter the cost. Even 'gifted' the local church and school with expensive electrical items in return for the local clergy putting in a good name for them
They're still at it, spread all over the country. Their attitude is one of ' No-one tells ME ! No-one blames ME ! No-one holds ME accountable ! I don't follow rules ... I MAKE the rules !' (heard them say this and laugh countless times, as did others)
They go on about 'the family name'. They live by the motto (and teach it to their kids) ' It's not what you do that matters. What matters is not being
caught ! That's all they care about -- being
seen to be guilty of something. That's the shame as far as they're concerned and they everything in their power to avoid being 'seen' (i.e., proved) guilty of anything. It enrages their egos when they are caught and exposed. And they do everything in their well-practised power to evade being seen to be guilty of something. They have no conscience whatsoever and believe only suckers and 'lower people', 'stupid people', 'people who don't know anyone important' are those who're caught and brought to justice