Here's mine...:newhere:
Looking over the redacted case file, the facts hint at the actions of an early-stage sexual sadistic killer. Chiefly, the strong indications that sexual assault was the motivator coupled with the taking of mementos; indications of planning/preparation (albeit disorganized in nature); the absence of typical robbery characteristics ; the bumbling killings and the seemingly rapid progression through the sexual component all seem to point to a lust killer whos progressing from assailant to murderer. The very personal nature of the two items taken that were linked to Christine Walker seems to be very telling. The majorette uniform and wedding certificate are items that have sentimental value, but no appreciable monetary value (and carried the heavy cost of risk of prosecution, if caught with them). Items of this nature, taken during commission of a sexually violent crime are almost always taken for one reason, the offender wants to relive the crime (or at least the portion of the crime that provides the euphoria/emotional release). Sexual sadistic killers (SSKs) take items that invoke the strongest nostalgia of their act. SSKs that attack victims of convenience (or surrogates for the object of their obsession) tend to take items closely linked to the victim and the crime (e.g. undergarments, jewelry worn by the victim during the crime, etc.). In this case, items taken that were linked to Christine Walker were independent of the crime, indicating that the killers intensive emotional build-up and attachment to the victim occurred prior to the crime, probably when she would have been routinely seen wearing the majorette uniform. The Disorganized Asocial Murderer variety of the SSK is characterized by strong feelings of inadequacy and seeing the objects of their obsession as unobtainable objects. Fixation on a female can easily be escalated when observing her in her most socially successful setting (further driving feelings of inadequacy by seeming more unobtainable). Christine Walker had often recounted, to her friends/family, fond times of being a majorette and was even reserving that uniform for her daughter, indicating that this was a socially progressive time for her. Its also noteworthy that the uniform was stored in a cedar chest, out of plain view. And, the house seemed in order to investigators, indicating no visual evidence of rummaging. This suggests a level of focus, either in searching for that item that meant a lot to him or in knowing where it was kept and selectively retrieving it. The selection of the wedding certificate is also intriguing, given the gender roles in 1959. As the male was commonly seen as the dominant/superior component to the relationship, the killer could easily have seen the certificate as something of a title of ownership for Christine Walker, driving him to take it to affirm, in his own mind, his psychological possession of her. This crime also shows probability of planning, as the killer arrived at the Walker residence with a gun, on an evening just before Cliff Walker was going hunting and appears to have been on foot (less convenient, but more versatile/lower visibility for access and fleeing). There was also repetition and structured thought. All of the victims were shot in the head (initial shot above the hair line for all except Cliff Walker). The scene was partially altered in an apparent attempt to cover up or disguise the crime. Specifically, the bed was covered with bed-cloths hiding blood stains; Christine Walkers legs were wiped and bloody clothing (possibly used as rags to wipe off) was bagged and discarded at another location. Although planning seems to have been an element, the crime scene clearly shows a disorganized nature. The blitz attack, lack of physical-restraint usage, opportunistic action and application of brute force, rather than coercion, are all classic disorganized assailant behaviors. Investigators all but concluded that the crime was initiated by a blitz attack on Christine Walker. Bruising on the arm and contusions on the cheek & forehead are indicative of brute-force submission. There was no indication of restraint usage reported, either from investigators or the medical examiner. The killer showed opportunistic tendencies by using readily available materials for everything except the shootings (nearby clothing/blanket for wiping up; using the closest bed for the assault, rather than moving her to the martial bed to enforce sexual dominance; bathtub drowning the girl, including the use of a sock to act as a drain plug). The method of the killings also indicates that the killer was inexperienced at this point. The selection of a gun is almost always driven by a mechanical desire for efficiency. Yet, a 22-caliber gun with short rounds is the least reliable percussion-cap selection. This proved to be true in this case, as the first round fired at Christine Walkers and the sons heads ricocheted without penetrating. While a lucky single shot to Cliff Walkers head hit a weak point, just below the eye socket, and sufficiently damaged the brain to induce quick death, the other three victims were not so fortunate. The last indication that this may be a cross-over killing of a SSK is the apparently rapid progression through the sexual assault. Based on the investigators timeline, the killer didnt have much more than 15-20 minutes to attack, assault & kill Christine Walker and possibly perform some post-event activities (retrieving mementos, cleaning/covering up). And, the clothing was disheveled, but not removed. Experienced SSKs have tendencies towards more planning, more organization and, most always, prolonged & more intense sexual assault and/or killing scenarios.
The mechanical and callous nature of the killings seems to hold clues to the killers mindset as well. The killer chose the systematic use of a gun over emotion-engaging methods, such as stabbing or strangulation (even when the ammunition was suspected to have been use up). This points to a purely capture-preventative measure, rather than an objective of the criminal act. Even drowning is a more aloof killing method, particularly for a male growing up in a rural and/or farming community where drowning of smaller/manageable animals is sometime viewed as an acceptable method of euthanasia. The killing of small children is highly unusual. Even in the realm of homicidal psychopaths, murdering children is taboo; and the younger they are, the stronger the taboo (this was even more true in 1959 society). For this killer to murder two young children, when its not fulfilling some desire, he would have to have a strong dissociation with society and minimal or no ability to empathize. The killer most likely thought that the kids could identify him, either because of a lack of understanding of early childhood retention & recall or possibly because they would know him by name.
Also noteworthy is the location that the bloody clothing was dumped. The clothing was found in an out-building, located just under two miles, directly west of the Walker residence and approximately a half mile east of the intersection of Highway 41 and Bay street. Present day, this location is approximately where residential transitions to business. If this was the same in 1959, this may indicate that the killers vehicle was parked at a closed business or on a vacant lot. This would allow for a reasonable hike through the woods/undergrowth to the Walker residence without being observed on the desolate portion of the road on which the Walkers lived.
If the non-redacted Walker case file also points toward a disorganized asocial sexual sadist, he would likely have attended Arcadia High School in the early 1950s and would have been raised in very dysfunctional (likely abusive) household. He would also be of below-average to average intelligence and would be a social outcast; thought of as weird or odd, but perceived as generally harmless (except possibly when under the influence of alcohol or enraged). If he follows typical patterns, he would have moved away shortly after the murders. He would also continue to sexually assault women and may kill to elude capture (but, likely with a more powerful gun). And, he would introduce more organized control measures, such as restraints, coercion and selecting more controllable environments for commission of the crime.
:takeoff: