We talk a lot about the “what ifs” surrounding the Moab stop. It is a worthy discussion to have because it’s all about prevention of this sort of tragedy.
But I also think about how differently this tragedy could have played out if things had been handled better after GP’s death. I keep going back to the Moab stop, when BL admitted to an anxiety diagnosis.
If BL had called 911, or immediately gone to get help after he killed GP, he would have certainly faced arrest. However, from that moment on, he could have admitted to losing control, that the confines of the trip had triggered his anxiety and rage, that he was heartbroken and sorry. Imo, the fallout from her death would have been slightly more bearable for everyone. It’s not like GP's family would say, “Oh, well, then it’s okay…” No, but there would have been something solid to hold on to. Something that makes sense. They would have known where their daughter was and gotten her body back sooner. They would have known what happened to her and worked to heal, as best as humanly possible under the circumstances.
His own family would not have been shoved into the national spotlight. The misery for his mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews could have been at least limited to the devastation of what he had done.
Nothing will bring back GP, even if BL is brought to justice. I’ve said it in other cases, that the only real winners here are the victims who might have been. The ones who could have crossed paths with a killer down the road, but won’t because he’s off the streets. If BL went off and shot himself to death, I would have the compassion to link this entire mess to his declining mental health. But if he just ran, putting every single person involved into this terrible, ongoing nightmare, only compounding an already excruciating situation, it’s inexcusable.
Jmo.
