Why? Because this crime is so out of the ordinary something unheard of happened behind those closed doors. By all accounts this was the normal financially over extended young middle class family. There were no long criminal histories, past histories of violence or a long list of people labeling one as a 'psycho'. Just normal people that we have a unique insight into because of a heavy SM presence.
I have two theories which is why is stated 50/50. I believe SW had a lot to lose if her marriage failed. It appears their financial outlook had been bleak for some time. She appeared to me to have a high maintenance lifestyle that needed cash flow and losing the stable income from CW would be a huge hit. I really just do not think she was making that much money with Thrive simply because it costs a lot to maintain the MLM charade. Part of the MLM 'recipe for success' is to show off how successful you are financially which means spending the money you earn. There is a reason most MLM's push things like luxury cars, that is part of the image. It would also damage the perfect social media image she relied on to push her product to a network of strangers. Then she needed support such as a caretaker for the kids when she goes on these MLM networking vacations. She was used to being in control and the loss of that could cause an explosive situation. Add all that up coupled with the looming argument with a husband who is planning to leave you could cause a reaction totally out of character and unexpected, the proverbial 'snap'.
The rest of it could play out just as his confession went. He claims he murdered a murderer. The lies and body disposals were from a panicked man who knew no one would believe him as he stood in the house with a dead family. He tried to bury them but found the task impossible in the time allotted so the children were hidden in the tank out of necessity. Bottom line, she had every reason to keep things together. Her entire identity was dependent on it. He was a man overcome by rage and then by panicked self preservation.
The other theory pretty much models others that have been posted about CW so I won't reiterate it. He simply snapped and killed everyone and his plan was foiled by a friend who interjected herself before he finished the cleanup.
However, it just doesn't make much sense. It seemed clear he wanted out, she appeared to be expecting it from conversations with others on the trips. He wasn't the one struggling to keep it together to maintain control, she was. From my view, the one who is losing control of their marriage because their spouse is leaving is the one more likely to snap and kill the family as the ultimate act of vengeance. If I can't have you no one will type of thoughts, the guy who is ready to leave it behind isn't. He had no need to kill anyone to move on, he was the one with the stable job so all he needed to do was walk away. Killing the family does nothing for him. He has to know the suspicion alone would be insurmountable and making a family disappear certainly has no financial benefit.
Those factors are what led me to look at the 'what if his story does have some truth'. I know it won't be received well on here but so be it.
Thank You for the well thought out post. I appreciate hearing a concrete theory for SW potentially being the killer in this tragic case.
It was well written, and compelling, but I still have to disagree...here are my thoughts...
She had just spent 6 weeks, separated from her husband except for the final week. And during that week, he was reportedly distant and detached.
She knew it was coming and he had reportedly asked her for a separation several times already. There were no reports of her having emotional meltdowns or rage filled rants during that time. She was spending time with her supportive family/friends and building up her commission sales, so she could keep her own career going for the future.
Her job and her 'life' did not depend entirely upon her relationship. She could have successfully transitioned into the single mother life and been fine. I think she knew that already. She told her friend she was going to need extra help/support in the immediate future. She told her brother she was headed for a separation. She didn't say 'my life is over if he leaves me.'
She portrayed a 'perfect' family life because that is how she can sell more product. However, if she had experienced a sudden break up of her marriage, she would have still kept her client base and even grown it some, based upon a narrative that way too many single mothers recognize. She wouldn't have any reason to expect sudden failure just because her cheating husband bailed on her and the babies.
SW was an emotional, extrovert. She didn't bottle up her feelings or thoughts. She was very expressive. And she had a whole lot of support from friends and family. I don't see her as someone who was ready to 'blow' because of internalized anger/resentment.
I think it is much more likely that CW was internalizing a lot of rage. One of his closest allies said they have 'never seen him angry.' That anger had to go somewhere. And it appears to me that he bottled it up for many years.
He was the one with the real motive, to be free from the family. He wanted a new, fresh start, without child support and child custody issues ruining his life. JMO
