I’ve posted some excerpts below about family annihilators that I found interesting. A common theme was shame and inadequacy. IMO I believe CW murdered his family because he was bisexual and/or gay, hated himself for finally giving into his urges, and couldn’t fathom the thought of losing his family or anyone finding out.
He may have been struggling with this his entire life but never acted on it until recently. I don’t feel that he murdered his wife and kids because he was having an affair. People have affairs, get divorced, and are still able to see their kids, have joint custody, etc. Coming out as gay, while married with two kids and a baby on the way, IMO is looked upon by society very differently than having an affair. I think working in the oilfield with tough, rugged type guys would have been very difficult as well.
My 20 yr old son came out as bisexual 5 years ago. A year ago he told me that he was gay not bisexual but was scared to admit it. I love him and all I care about is his happiness. However, his father (we’re divorced) won’t speak to him. My son struggles with this every day, and has stated numerous times that he wishes he was “normal”. My son is 6’ tall, masculine and extremely handsome. The only reason I’m describing his appearance is because by looking at him, nobody would know what he’s struggling with or that he is gay. Once again, this is all JMO and I could be way off. I’m just presenting my theory as to "why".
“Neil Websdale, a professor at Northern Arizona University, argues that such killers share one common trait: a feeling that they've fallen short of societal ideals of manhood.”
“Annihilators are overwhelmingly male (95 percent, he estimates), and mostly white and middle-aged. They feel inadequate as men and have often suffered childhood abuse. Having felt powerless as kids, many try to exert strict control over their households and seek to create an idealized version of family that they never experienced.”
“They murder the people they were trying to deceive. Hence, the prevention of family murders isn't psychotherapy, it's exposing the lie. They murder because they're afraid they are about to be revealed.”