GUILTY Australia - Robert, 66, & Cheryl Adamson, 60, murdered, Murrumbeena, Vic, 19 Feb 2014

[Brightbird]

No motive. No remorse. Premeditated. That's chilling. I read (the age) that Cheryl's brother couldn't tell their mother they were murdered, so he said they were in a car accident instead So senseless and so devastating.

 

[SouthAussie]

Wow ... it sounds as though nobody is less than shocked at the depravity of these absolutely senseless murders, and the nonchalance of Hemming. Not even his own lawyer. This lad cannot be let near society again.

 

[marlywings]

Was he receiving any psychiatric treatment at the time of the killings? Does anybody know?

He'd evidently been fantasising about this for a long time - and he is obviously exceedingly mentally unwell - was this picked up or was he able to 'fly under the radar', so to speak?

And I'm sorry if this offends anyone connected with his family, but I simply cannot believe that there were no warning signs. I've said that from the beginning and it's even clearer to me now after reading about his fantasy life and drinking binges (he lived at home, it would have been visible, surely)......did no one notice all was not well??!

Or was his odd behaviour written off as part of the Asperger's, I wonder?

It would be interesting to hear about his past, some of which may turn up in media reports after today's court.

It would also be interesting to hear if he's ever been involved in killing animals at some stage in his past as that is so often the case with many young killers.

While looking through reports on this case I came across another of a 22yr old guy. Committal hearing is currently underway. Although this one sounds like a drug induced killing.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/a...as-a-werewolf-court-told-20141013-1157ya.html

It's horrific the amount of young killers that are all around the same age.

 

[KrysJames]

Tom was an animal lover, he always cared for them. He wasn't receiving treatment when he did these horrible things.

 

[MsAnais]

Tom was an animal lover, he always cared for them. He wasn't receiving treatment when he did these horrible things.

Thanks KrysJames.

I'm really sorry for you and all of Tom's family and friends. This must be like a nightmare. And just so confusing for you all, when your experience of Tom was obviously very different to what emerged in him that night.

I'm wondering if he'd been diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder prior to this? Or just the Aspergers?

I get what Marly was saying - more often than not in violent murders the killer has a history of bed-wetting, fire starting and hurting animals OR younger children. They typically have a history of at least one of those things.

 

[SouthAussie]

We hear so frequently of people who are not taking their medication, or not attending prescribed or recommended treatment, when they have perpetrated horrible crimes. I wish there was something that we could do about this ... and save some lives of innocent people. :sigh:

 

[MsAnais]

We hear so frequently of people who are not taking their medication, or not attending prescribed or recommended treatment, when they have perpetrated horrible crimes. I wish there was something that we could do about this ... and save some lives of innocent people. :sigh:

I know! It's just so tricky.

One of the things that is now happening is that some medications are injected every two weeks, rather than taken daily. But this is usually enforced by court order as part of a community treatment programme after people have already been sectioned, as a condition of their release back into the community.

But what about people like Thomas Hemming who somehow fall through the gaps in the system and don't receive the psychiatric help they so desperately need?

Research shows that the earlier the intervention, the more positive the outcome. Someone like Thomas has evidently just spiralled out of control internally and then acted it all out externally.

There needs to be collaboration between teachers, parents and any other adults involved in the child's life - when they are still a child/teenager. There are ALWAYS warning signs.

As an aside, I've been watching the most amazing series on ABC iview - inside the mental health unit of Liverpool Hospital in Sydney. It's worth a watch to gain more insight into mental illness, and how it is for the sufferers. It helps to explain why they do stop taking meds. (there are three episodes.)

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/changing-minds-the-inside-story/DO1340H001S00

 

[MsAnais]

I'm wondering how old TH was when he was diagnosed with Aspergers? And if the psychiatrist who diagnosed him had any sort of ongoing therapeutic relationship with him?

Trying to understand how this happened........how was a man with such intense delusions able to go unattended for so long?

This is just tragic for everyone concerned.

 

[ozman]

I'm wondering how old TH was when he was diagnosed with Aspergers?
Trying to understand how this happened........how was a man with such intense delusions able to go unattended for so long?

I couldn't say the exact age, but I believe it was when he was young. Related conditions exist in his family, and Tom didn't have as much trouble forming relationships compared to some individuals with Aspergers, so I assume the diagnosis was put in more of an observatory situation than something which required immediate attention.

 

[MsAnais]

I couldn't say the exact age, but I believe it was when he was young. Related conditions exist in his family, and Tom didn't have as much trouble forming relationships compared to some individuals with Aspergers, so I assume the diagnosis was put in more of an observatory situation than something which required immediate attention.

I extend my sympathies to you too, Ozman. As with KrysJames, this must be such a difficult and shocking situation for you.

:rose:

 

[MsAnais]

I couldn't say the exact age, but I believe it was when he was young. Related conditions exist in his family, and Tom didn't have as much trouble forming relationships compared to some individuals with Aspergers, so I assume the diagnosis was put in more of an observatory situation than something which required immediate attention.

Do you mind if I ask, Ozman, what you mean when you say "Related conditions exist in his family"?

Are you referring to the Aspergers or to having delusions/mental illness?

Thanks in advance :seeya:

 

[drsleuth]

I know! It's just so tricky.

One of the things that is now happening is that some medications are injected every two weeks, rather than taken daily. But this is usually enforced by court order as part of a community treatment programme after people have already been sectioned, as a condition of their release back into the community.

But what about people like Thomas Hemming who somehow fall through the gaps in the system and don't receive the psychiatric help they so desperately need?

Research shows that the earlier the intervention, the more positive the outcome. Someone like Thomas has evidently just spiralled out of control internally and then acted it all out externally.

There needs to be collaboration between teachers, parents and any other adults involved in the child's life - when they are still a child/teenager. There are ALWAYS warning signs.

As an aside, I've been watching the most amazing series on ABC iview - inside the mental health unit of Liverpool Hospital in Sydney. It's worth a watch to gain more insight into mental illness, and how it is for the sufferers. It helps to explain why they do stop taking meds. (there are three episodes.)

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/changing-minds-the-inside-story/DO1340H001S00

I agree , brilliant series, with great access to a functioning acute psych ward.

Also watched the Friday night Crack Up which raised much needed funds for mental health, in a light fun way.

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/friday-night-crack-up/



To support Mental Health Week, ABC went Mental As... we thank all who joined us on TV, radio and online as we challenged the stigma and started a national conversation about mental health. Thank you to everyone who supported us and bid on the auction, pledged & donated money to mental health research.
Together we raised...

$1,467,181

http://www.abc.net.au/mentalas/

 

[Brightbird]

I'm wondering how old TH was when he was diagnosed with Aspergers? And if the psychiatrist who diagnosed him had any sort of ongoing therapeutic relationship with him?

Trying to understand how this happened........how was a man with such intense delusions able to go unattended for so long?

This is just tragic for everyone concerned.

What makes you say he was delusional? Maybe I missed something. Or do you think that the fantasies had to be delusional?

I am very sorry to all those reading who knew the families involved :hug:

 

[MsAnais]

What makes you say he was delusional? Maybe I missed something. Or do you think that the fantasies had to be delusional?

I am very sorry to all those reading who knew the families involved :hug:

Well, I was using the word delusional in reference to his fantasies of killing people; to me the idea that it was somehow morally 'better' to kill some older people is a delusion. But you may well not agree, Brightbird. There may be a more accurate term :seeya:

 

[ozman]

Do you mind if I ask, Ozman, what you mean when you say "Related conditions exist in his family"?

Are you referring to the Aspergers or to having delusions/mental illness?

Aspergers, and possibly other non-neurotypical conditions in his extended family (don't believe there is anything in his immediate family). Nothing like mental illness or anything.

 

[Camp Chair]

I think misdiagnosis is rife and there are too many paediatricians signing off on the dotted line after 1 or 2 consultations. This concerns me a great deal, personally, because not only does it create confusion in the community about what Aspergers is, but it also denies those incorrectly diagnosed of the level/type of intervention & support needed.

Autism is a spectrum, yes, and there can be many differences from one person diagnosed to the next. I get that. What I don’t get (using real life as an example here) is how one child who insists on ‘rescuing’ ants before filling a bath can be given the same diagnosis of another who cuts himself, is already harming animals & becoming sexually perverse at the age of 9! It’s hard not to consider that the latter child is tomorrow’s sociopath.

I think, particular with childhood diagnosis’ there needs to be further ongoing review & some sort of safety net to catch those misdiagnosed young. A child who started out with an Aspergers diagnosis at a young age (I believe a lot of personality disorders can’t be diagnosed young according to what I’ve read – correct me ISIS if I’m wrong) may not fit the bill for an Aspergers diagnosis at age 20 when other behavioural traits/disorders have come to light.

Bringing this back on topic – I am wondering if this has been the case with TH.

 

[MsAnais]

WHAT could drive a seemingly normal, middle-class 21-year-old to turn into a “thrill killer”, butchering his elderly neighbours?

Legal and psychological experts have spent the best part of a year trying to puzzle out an answer.

So has Thomas Hemming’s heartbroken mother.

Terrifyingly, disturbingly, none has been able to come up with an answer.

.........Until that morning his life had been apparently normal.

He had loving parents who sent him to a top-notch private school, De La Salle.

He was taking a gap year from university and had a part-time job at a bottle shop.

He lived in quiet, leafy Murrumbeena, in Melbourne’s southeast.

Hemming did have Asperger’s syndrome, which made it difficult for him to form friendships throughout his school years.

But even so, he had a small circle of friends with shared interests. They would play video games, binge drink and listen to music.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/la...l-his-neighbours/story-fni0ffnk-1227094381958

 

[MsAnais]

So, just off the top of my head, Aspergers + Gaming = Eliott Rodger, Daniel Jack Kelsall, Thomas Hemming........

I'm sure there's many more. That's me thinking of recent WS cases for about 1 second!

It seems to be a very dangerous combination imo. Maybe it blurs the lines of reality too much for someone on the spectrum?

 

[MsAnais]

I think misdiagnosis is rife and there are too many paediatricians signing off on the dotted line after 1 or 2 consultations. This concerns me a great deal, personally, because not only does it create confusion in the community about what Aspergers is, but it also denies those incorrectly diagnosed of the level/type of intervention & support needed.

Autism is a spectrum, yes, and there can be many differences from one person diagnosed to the next. I get that. What I don’t get (using real life as an example here) is how one child who insists on ‘rescuing’ ants before filling a bath can be given the same diagnosis of another who cuts himself, is already harming animals & becoming sexually perverse at the age of 9! It’s hard not to consider that the latter child is tomorrow’s sociopath.

I think, particular with childhood diagnosis’ there needs to be further ongoing review & some sort of safety net to catch those misdiagnosed young. A child who started out with an Aspergers diagnosis at a young age (I believe a lot of personality disorders can’t be diagnosed young according to what I’ve read – correct me ISIS if I’m wrong) may not fit the bill for an Aspergers diagnosis at age 20 when other behavioural traits/disorders have come to light.

Bringing this back on topic – I am wondering if this has been the case with TH.

Fantastic post, Camp Chair!:seeya:

I too think misdiagnosis is rife and as for this:

What I don’t get (using real life as an example here) is how one child who insists on ‘rescuing’ ants before filling a bath can be given the same diagnosis of another who cuts himself, is already harming animals & becoming sexually perverse at the age of 9!

I completely agree. IMO the child rescuing ants is simply a sensitive being. And our world seems to be increasingly intolerant of people who are sensitive (we're all meant to be brash, narcissistic extroverts apparently, preoccupied with the Selfie and our FB profile :facepalm. Whereas the other child you describe is seriously disturbed and does indeed need to be formally recognised as such.

What drives me nuts about children who have been diagnosed as 'on the Spectrum' is that many of them once would have been called creative, or shy or even slightly eccentric. It doesn't mean they need to get a label taped to their forehead.

I think we've taken a tragic turn with the rise of the Aspergers diagnosis becoming so prevalent. And I personally don't buy it in lots of the children I've met.

Rant over. It makes me angry though - I don't think it helps children who aren't really on the Spectrum to be diagnosed as such!

 

[SouthAussie]

I agree, Isis. Just like those thousands of kids who were diagnosed as ADD/ADHD. Some of them just needed firmer parenting guidelines, some were consistently pushing the boundaries, some were very active kids, some were too sugared/additived up imo.

Sometimes I wonder (and NO slight whatsoever intended to you here :loveyou: ) if we are just keeping a myriad of psychologists and doctors and pharmaceutical companies in business, instead of getting the sugar and additives removed from our food. :thinking: