MA - Remains of 3 infants found, Erika Murray charged, Blackstone, Sept 2014

[wenwe4]

Well folks, looks to me like the older kids slept on the 2nd floor too. Seriously, how long has that bathtub been inoperable? Not that bathing was a high priority for EM but she is able to keep herself and the older 2 kids relatively clean - according to reports.

I do agree with her Atty - she should have been seen by a physician and mental health professionals and the psych eval is well warranted. She clearly is not functioning well and hasn't been for a very long time, but that is only the tip of the iceberg.

There are 2 parents living in this home and no matter what diagnosis EM is labeled with it in no way diminshes RR's responsiblity to ensure a healthy, safe, and clean living for his children (all of them). How the 13 & 10 y/o endured this for so long and kept the family secrets just astonishes me! Remember when the 10 y/o boy refused to exit the CPS workers car upon pickup? He stated he never wanted to go back home . . . . I bet this has been a godsend for all of those children!

 

[wenwe4]

I can't identify any animal in any of the pics. I've looked through a few times, but they are very poor quality photos. There is so much crap (literally) and debris in every photo it's hard to determine where one item ends and where feces begins.

I think they "unearthed" the remains once they excavated all of the plastic drink containers and soiled diapers.

Can you imagine if there was a fire?? No way to able to find any victims!

 

[iamnotagolem]

I watched the video, it says one of dead dogs was on a mattress. There were 4 dead animals (I'm assuming upstairs) but I don't know if any are visible in the photos. The photo of the bathtub isn't in the slideshow. I don't even understand how bad those kids that went to school must have smelled.

I guess I was under the impression she kept the main living spaces like kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom somewhat acceptable, but the video tells a different story.

So RR supposedly lived in the basement and was unaware of the conditions. So he had running water down there to drink and bathe in? He had somewhere to store food and prepare it? He had a receptacle to go to the bathroom in? Then disposed of that where? NO WAY IN HADES IS HE NOT JUST AS GUILTY. There had better be more charges brought up against him for the sake of the children, if nothing else.

 

[wenwe4]

I haven't been through them all and the ones I have looked at, I didn't for long. My children were about and now that they've gone to bed I can't make myself look at the rest/more in-depth right now. I did read in the article that there were remains of a dog in the pictures. I wonder if that was the dog that was in the background on her babysitting profile? It has since been taken down but when she was advertising on a nanny/babysitting site she had a pic of her two oldest kids and there was a small dog (maybe pug sized) that looked fawn/very light tan. Some of the pics I looked at were a trigger for me from living in a similar situation for a short time as a child, but I wonder if anyone could tell me if you can distinguish any characteristics (size, color, breed, etc)? TIA

A 'Little Tyke' style plastic toy box sans lid had more than one photo released. I get the impression that was hidden under a bed? Does anyone think that may have been were an infant would've been found? It was piled with dirty diapers. It was the way it was photographed that made me wonder why it seemed important. I get the feces on the walls, floors, and beds, but how did it get on the ceiling? From the article I posted above said it was on the ceiling. WTH?! My heart just breaks over this...I am SO SO glad that neighbor stepped in. Now I'm going to get caught up on this thread since I've been away for a bit.

old old 3rd grade humor joke . . . .

Book titles:

"Brown Spots on the Wall by Who Flung Dung"

 

[wenwe4]

I watched the video, it says one of dead dogs was on a mattress. There were 4 dead animals (I'm assuming upstairs) but I don't know if any are visible in the photos. The photo of the bathtub isn't in the slideshow. I don't even understand how bad those kids that went to school must have smelled.

I guess I was under the impression she kept the main living spaces like kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom somewhat acceptable, but the video tells a different story.

the video like also has 17 photos a couple of different ones than the slide show (bathtub)

I noticed the black mattress had a big lump in the center - could that be the dead dog (under the covers)?

 

[iamnotagolem]

i'm all riled up.

So, they were so poor that she had to hide the 5 children that RR "didn't know about" and had no money. But there were toys, water bottles, juice containers, pop bottles, junk food wrappers, etc. Where did all of it come from?

I was honestly surprised to see so many toys. I didn't expect that at all.

ETA: What is with all of the VHS tapes? I haven't seen that many in one house since 1999

 

[sapofamily]

i'm all riled up.

So, they were so poor that she had to hide the 5 children that RR "didn't know about" and had no money. But there were toys, water bottles, juice containers, pop bottles, junk food wrappers, etc. Where did all of it come from?

I was honestly surprised to see so many toys. I didn't expect that at all.

ETA: What is with all of the VHS tapes? I haven't seen that many in one house since 1999

Not to mention, EM had a craft business!?!? How could someone be as desolate, dysfunctional...apathetic..."isolated", as her attorney verbalizes, but manage to open a craft booth, have birthday parties for her child, and attend baby showers for her family members?

These photos and video will haunt me for an eternity...especially the infant's hand print on the ceiling. Did they live off of milk? All of the plastic containers...

It's still a bit difficult to comprehend where all of the family members slept? Were all 3 BRs definitely on the 3rd floor?

In the video, at 1:08 it appears to show what might've been EM/RR's BR possibly on the second floor (treetop out window)? What do others think?

 

[SaucyGal]

I just found another news story out of Boston. There are a few more pics in this set:

http://www.wcvb.com/news/photos-show-true-conditions-inside-blackstone-house-of-horrors/29591396

Years ago I worked for a photo lab (back when film was all that was available) and we processed crime scene photos for a local PD and also a neighboring city. Many of the photos gave an overall impression of the scene with no identification markers, scales, etc. They'd do separate photos with those specific indicators for evidence. I saw one in particular that seems to be, IMOO, that it could be decomposition staining. Of course, I'm probably wrong but wanted to see if anyone else could tell which photo I'm referring to in this set.

Overall, I can't figure out what I'm looking at half the time in those pics. Over the years, I've had to separate personal feelings from situations I've worked in whether for the individual's sake or my own..I have to say, this one infuriates me! I am sure that the most filthy, nearly black mattress is the one on which the neighbor found the 3 year old. IMO, I feel EM was trying to "bury" literally and figuratively her "mistakes". It didn't seem to me that the items were hoarded as much as they were intentionally crammed/piled in specific areas. I believe the last photo was a closet/nook. I wonder if this is where the first infant was found? All in all some of those pics seem to be just random documentation to show the scene whereas others seem very deliberate if that makes sense....? I've been up all night so I don't know how well I'm conveying my thoughts at this point. lol

Other than emotional responses of utter disgust, anger/outrage, sadness, etc. what are impressions you all get from these photos? Is there anything specific in any of the photos that are of particular note to you? The photos in the link I provided are numbered 1-36 but the last actual photo is 35 (small space). If you'd be so kind as to provide your thoughts and number of the photo/photos, I'd appreciate it. One more thing, have any of you noticed how many TV's, electronics, or electronic boxes were in the pics?

 

[tlcya]

I haven't been through them all and the ones I have looked at, I didn't for long. My children were about and now that they've gone to bed I can't make myself look at the rest/more in-depth right now. I did read in the article that there were remains of a dog in the pictures. I wonder if that was the dog that was in the background on her babysitting profile? It has since been taken down but when she was advertising on a nanny/babysitting site she had a pic of her two oldest kids and there was a small dog (maybe pug sized) that looked fawn/very light tan. Some of the pics I looked at were a trigger for me from living in a similar situation for a short time as a child, but I wonder if anyone could tell me if you can distinguish any characteristics (size, color, breed, etc)? TIA

A 'Little Tyke' style plastic toy box sans lid had more than one photo released. I get the impression that was hidden under a bed? Does anyone think that may have been were an infant would've been found? It was piled with dirty diapers. It was the way it was photographed that made me wonder why it seemed important. I get the feces on the walls, floors, and beds, but how did it get on the ceiling? From the article I posted above said it was on the ceiling. WTH?! My heart just breaks over this...I am SO SO glad that neighbor stepped in. Now I'm going to get caught up on this thread since I've been away for a bit.

If I remember right, God only knows I am not going to go look at the photos again just yet, one pic featured a pet crate, with such filth in it as could not be believed and what appeared to be animal remains. It was very disturbing and I did not look at it long as is suggested the poor creature died there, locked in that crate.

I can't identify any animal in any of the pics. I've looked through a few times, but they are very poor quality photos. There is so much crap (literally) and debris in every photo it's hard to determine where one item ends and where feces begins.

Agree. I believe the poo on the ceiling photos were from the pink room which appeared to literally be crammed to the ceiling with haphazard piles of crap (both figurative and literal).

Just horrid. I am having much less trouble believing this woman has severe psychological issues. I do not think she is legally insane mind you, but sick? Oh yes indeed. Very sick woman.

 

[tlcya]

heartbreaking. Those older kids, the secret shame they were forced to live with. Trying to have friends and a normal social life had to have been so hard. My heart hurts for them. And the babies upstairs in teh worst of the filth. OMG. No words.

 

[Hoosgirl]

I heard on the video that the dead infants were found hanging in beds in the closet. No words.

The video also ended with questions about father, and reporter said they would be releasing more photos of basement, which was in a similar state.

 

[Hoosgirl]

I heard on the video that the dead infants were found hanging in beds in the closet. No words.

The video also ended with questions about father, and reporter said they would be releasing more photos of basement, which was in a similar state.

Sorry! Typo - hanging in BAGS not beds.

 

[SaucyGal]

I was finally able to watch that video in the first link I posted about the photos and found another news story as well. I won't post the link because honestly each set just gets more horrific. As I watched the video, I thought about the older children doing the things my kids do (2 of my children are the same age as EM's older children) daily. Even putting aside the tragic upstairs, the thought of those older kids having to climb over mountains of debris and filth just to do the most simple daily tasks absolutely devastates me as a mother. While EM/RR should absolutely be punished to the fullest extent of the law, I agree with tlcya, both of them had to be sick. Not that this is about me, but I don't think my heart could stand it if this was intentionally and maliciously done.

One thing I was wondering about the walls/ceiling...If the 3 year old couldn't walk, how did the feces get everywhere? I realize children can be resourceful but I would think actually swiping or wiping it on the ceilings and higher up on the walls as shown in the pics would be darn near impossible for a child in the state they've reported. I apologize if that is too morbid. I know at this point it really doesn't matter, but it concerns me that EM may have locked the older children in those rooms for periods of time when they were younger. I think I'm going to have to step away from this again. This truly is too much and I didn't even live it. All of those poor innocent souls. Can anyone ever recover from something like this? :tears:

 

[tlcya]

The sad truth is there are more children than we will ever know living in just such dire disarray and dysfunction.

I am glad these children are now out of that house of horrors. It will take years for the older ones to move past and the younger living children may never. Those poor dead babies. I don't even have words. House of horrors. Black hole indeed.

 

[wenwe4]

I just found another news story out of Boston. There are a few more pics in this set:

http://www.wcvb.com/news/photos-show-true-conditions-inside-blackstone-house-of-horrors/29591396

Years ago I worked for a photo lab (back when film was all that was available) and we processed crime scene photos for a local PD and also a neighboring city. Many of the photos gave an overall impression of the scene with no identification markers, scales, etc. They'd do separate photos with those specific indicators for evidence. I saw one in particular that seems to be, IMOO, that it could be decomposition staining. Of course, I'm probably wrong but wanted to see if anyone else could tell which photo I'm referring to in this set.

Overall, I can't figure out what I'm looking at half the time in those pics. Over the years, I've had to separate personal feelings from situations I've worked in whether for the individual's sake or my own..I have to say, this one infuriates me! I am sure that the most filthy, nearly black mattress is the one on which the neighbor found the 3 year old. IMO, I feel EM was trying to "bury" literally and figuratively her "mistakes". It didn't seem to me that the items were hoarded as much as they were intentionally crammed/piled in specific areas. I believe the last photo was a closet/nook. I wonder if this is where the first infant was found? All in all some of those pics seem to be just random documentation to show the scene whereas others seem very deliberate if that makes sense....? I've been up all night so I don't know how well I'm conveying my thoughts at this point. lol

Other than emotional responses of utter disgust, anger/outrage, sadness, etc. what are impressions you all get from these photos? Is there anything specific in any of the photos that are of particular note to you? The photos in the link I provided are numbered 1-36 but the last actual photo is 35 (small space). If you'd be so kind as to provide your thoughts and number of the photo/photos, I'd appreciate it. One more thing, have any of you noticed how many TV's, electronics, or electronic boxes were in the pics?

I am wondering if you see decomp staining in #23 - maybe my eyes are just playing tricks - but after looking for days @ the decomp stain of little Caylee in CA's trunk - this seems to very similiar. I believe I can make out the outline of a small child laying on their right side - fetal position. Interestingly, next to the "sudafed" box. I agree with the 3 y/o being on that black filthiest mattress.

All of the trash seems to be drink containers, a lot of electronic boxes, some toys, diapers, (maybe cig ashes in the trash can?). There are small pockets of places where things are "relatively" clean (ie: corner with multiple shoes). I am astonished there weren't more "food" containers - did they just drink their meals?

Does anyone remember EM talking about finding a bed-in-a-bag while shopping?

It does appear that EM's (much cleaner) bed is upstairs as well (sloped ceiling). IMO

 

[passionflower]

RR never used he kitchen or bathroom? From the pictures, the kitchen was horrible also.
Didn't they ever have garbage removal?

 

[wenwe4]

Honestly, I think RR will eventually be charged with more serious crimes related to the condition of the home, the dead babies, and criminal child neglect charges. Just claiming you didn't know the infants were you own offspring - does not excuse you from ensuring that children (anybody's children) are healthy, safe, and not in harms way! (IMO)

I fear that both EM and RR will eventually give an "Alford plea" and get off with a very short sentence. There was a "foster mom" who lived near me years ago. She fixated on one child that she tormented. She would not allow him to eat or drink, went to the school and demanded they not allow him to have a sip of anything to drink until he had finished his lunch, she further demanded they supervise him in the bathroom @ school because "he drinks toilet water". He died from dehydration and starvation in his bedroom - there was evidence he had opened his basement window and was scooping snow to eat. He was 7 years old but was about the size and weight of a 3 y/o. The school made repeated referrals to CPS, but to no avail because their allegations did not meet the "imminent harm" standard. The pediatrician said the child died from the "flu" - later it was discovered the "foster mom" and the "pediatrician" had been "dating". Foster mom took an "Alford plea" and spent 7 years in prison, pediatrician moved his practice to a different facility in town.

ETA: Pic 17/44 - was the 3 y/o eating paint off the wall? Did anyone see a baby bottle or baby wipes? Where did the older kids & EM keep their clean clothes? What is with all the dressers missing their drawers? #19/44 is this where the older kids slept?

Here is another link w/36 pics - I think they are same ones we have seen before but thought I would post.
http://www.wate.com/story/27321493/new-pictures-show-conditions-in-squalid-blackstone-house

 

[blefuscu]

Oh dear me. Those photos are horrific. Much worse than I expected. No way that house didn't totally stink. Surely the smell would permeate their clothes/hair etc. The mattresses are totally saturated with urine, excrement and God knows what else (decomp fluids from pets etc). Those poor poor children. I literally feel nauseous now.

 

[LLC]

Not to mention, EM had a craft business!?!? How could someone be as desolate, dysfunctional...apathetic..."isolated", as her attorney verbalizes, but manage to open a craft booth, have birthday parties for her child, and attend baby showers for her family members?

I don't understand this either...A craft business? Who in God's name would think "I feel like doing some crafts." in a toxic landfill never mind the dead infants upstairs.

I pray those that bought anything (and she did sell some things) have tossed it already. Nasty.

*Side note: I don't think this woman was mentally ill in the sense of not knowing what she was doing...and my apologies to anyone dealing with REAL mental illness. 99.9% of those would NEVER do these heinous things.

 

[iamnotagolem]

There was one pic of a mattress and at the back of it there looks like an eye glowing from the flash of the camera. I wonder if that is the dog mentioned in the news article.

It does appear that all three bedrooms were upstairs. The pink room, the white room (where it appears the 3 y/o & 5 m/o were left), and the cleanish room.

I'm hoping the cleanish room was the 11 & 13 y/o's room. But sadly, it seems most likely the pink room was the older kids, since there were toys in there.

I just figure out in my brain how you decide where to sleep, is there a point in showering when your house looks & smells like that? Can you even tell you showered?

To answer a question posted earlier, my opinion on the poop print on the ceiling is that the garbage was piled so high that the 3 y/o could reach the ceiling from there, except she wasn't able to crawl or walk? So maybe she was just left laying near there at some point? I just can't even comprehend so much of this.