GUILTY Mexico - Monica Beresford-Redman, 42, Cancun, 5 April 2010

[panthera]

OMG!!! This could be emotionally harmful to the kids to attend their mother's memorial service. But it's no big deal to have grandma blab to the kid's the "big lie" that their mother died because she was ran over by a car!!!

I'm very curious just whose idea it was to tell the kids about the "car accident". They're only three y/o and five y/o and I'm not condoning telling them she was murdered, but there are several other options short of outright lying. I'm also wondering what interaction they're allowed to have with their mother's family. The poor children must be so confused right now as it is. MOO

 

[panthera]

BBM
I do not know how old the children are, but I totally agree with the judge. I always believed that is no place for children.

They are three and five years old.

 

[songline]

I'm sorry but as a clinical social worker who works with children, I must respectfully disagree. Tastefully handled memorials are very important parts of the grieving ritual and I'm sure the family and mourners would be sensitive enough to ensure the children are protected but allowed to be part of saying good bye to their beloved mother. Children have great difficulty developmentally accepting the finality of death and funeral rituals are something than can be very helpful in this process.

I think the grandmother's lie about how their mother died was the most inappropriate and potentially damaging thing that has happened since their mother's death. There was no need to tell a story such as this. A much simpler statement that their mother had died and the police were doing their best to find out why would have been more appropriate as another poster (panthera?) stated earlier. IMHO

BTW, I believe the children are 3 and 5.

We will have to agree to disagree, I counseled people many years ago as well.
In most cases a memorial has an open casket, and it is best for a child to remember his mom alive. Children are not well versed on memorials that they would miss it. children never miss what they do not know, and grieving is very different from seeing your mother looking pale, and in a box.
this is not about your degree or mine. It is about the subconscious impression that is left in a child's mind.
Completion does not have to look one way or another.
Nor does grieving. But impressions last for ever.

 

[songline]

I'm very curious just whose idea it was to tell the kids about the "car accident". They're only three y/o and five y/o and I'm not condoning telling them she was murdered, but there are several other options short of outright lying. I'm also wondering what interaction they're allowed to have with their mother's family. The poor children must be so confused right now as it is. MOO

I totally agree a lie is something that will come back to bite them later. When the kids grow up and learn whatever the outcome will be, they will be angry for being lied to.
I think that the Grandparents wanted to preserve the children from any thoughts of Murder and made up an accident so their little minds would not have a horror story added to their pain. Often times some people think a white lie is better then the horrible truth. When these white lies come to a surface it is not good.

 

[songline]

It was mentioned shortly after the murder that Monica and the two kids went to Hawaii for a vacation and that Bruce called her while there and begged her to come to Cancun so they can be together and work through some marital problems.

I am sorry, but I do not remember where I read this at. I will try to find out and post it. If any one of you sleuthers out there happen to know or have read about this, please help me out. THANKS!

I read it too, I am still curious, why not go home first and then take her away for her BD without the children.I am not a calculated person, but I cant imagine that you would take your children on such a trip where you had preplanned to kill their mother. :waitasec: But his site is full of cases that are mind boggling.

 

[RubyRed]

It was mentioned shortly after the murder that Monica and the two kids went to Hawaii for a vacation and that Bruce called her while there and begged her to come to Cancun so they can be together and work through some marital problems.

I am sorry, but I do not remember where I read this at. I will try to find out and post it. If any one of you sleuthers out there happen to know or have read about this, please help me out. THANKS!

I believe I heard it on JVM. Should be in a transcript.

 

[Leomoon80]

I believe the children should not be left out of their Mother's Memorial Service and it will probably come back to haunt the controlling family, i.e. the Paternal side one day.

When my daughter died her twin daughters age 4 were both in attendance, (no casket) just a Memorial her father had given. It was quite large a lot of people in attendance.

The children still today, 2 years later, miss and talk about their mother, from day one when she disappeared from their lives till today, they remember EVERYTHING about her.

They have been to psychologist office for ongoing grief counseling from day one as well.
So, although doing well today, as well as can be expected under the circumstances, and are typical children, not both are the same either.

And they would never forgive had they been left out, I'm sure.

J.

 

[Leomoon80]

It was mentioned shortly after the murder that Monica and the two kids went to Hawaii for a vacation and that Bruce called her while there and begged her to come to Cancun so they can be together and work through some marital problems.

I am sorry, but I do not remember where I read this at. I will try to find out and post it. If any one of you sleuthers out there happen to know or have read about this, please help me out. THANKS!

on prior thread posted:

A source close to the wife has told CNN that she cleaned out the family bank account and took her two children to Hawaii because she was upset about her husband's extramarital affair. The couple later traveled to Cancun in an effort to repair their marriage, the source said.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/28/survivor.producer.children/

 

[ThePhantom]

Poor Monica. She was a wonderful, amazing person -- loved by many. Why did her life have to be so savagely ended such that she wound up dead in a sewer? Is this what a loving Mom, caring friend and devoted daughter and sister deserved? What does this evil stop -- and how?

 

[songline]

I would suggest to read more on this case given what you have posted. There is a lot of info out there that you must not have read yet. Info that will answer some of your questions.

When someone says they did not read enough they DO know they need to read more.

Hope you are not suggesting a slam dunk. I don't take the hanging noose out that fast.

 

[panthera]

I totally agree a lie is something that will come back to bite them later. When the kids grow up and learn whatever the outcome will be, they will be angry for being lied to.
I think that the Grandparents wanted to preserve the children from any thoughts of Murder and made up an accident so their little minds would not have a horror story added to their pain. Often times some people think a white lie is better then the horrible truth. When these white lies come to a surface it is not good.

BBM ~ I agree.

I think they could've been vague, told the children she died and "we don't know what happened yet, but the police are going to find out" or something similar to that. MOO

 

[songline]

I believe the children should not be left out of their Mother's Memorial Service and it will probably come back to haunt the controlling family, i.e. the Paternal side one day.

When my daughter died her twin daughters age 4 were both in attendance, (no casket) just a Memorial her father had given. It was quite large a lot of people in attendance.

The children still today, 2 years later, miss and talk about their mother, from day one when she disappeared from their lives till today, they remember EVERYTHING about her.

They have been to psychologist office for ongoing grief counseling from day one as well.
So, although doing well today, as well as can be expected under the circumstances, and are typical children, not both are the same either.

And they would never forgive had they been left out, I'm sure.

J.

IF there is no casket then you are right.
Most often there is an open casket,
and I am totally against children remembering their mom as dead.
I think they should have a lasting memory of her alive.

 

[songline]

on prior thread posted:

A source close to the wife has told CNN that she cleaned out the family bank account and took her two children to Hawaii because she was upset about her husband's extramarital affair. The couple later traveled to Cancun in an effort to repair their marriage, the source said.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/28/survivor.producer.children/

That sure does not sound very good :innocent:
So why would she go to meet him in Cancun ?
after she emptied the account why didn't she just keep on going.......?
Maybe she said she is going to Hawaii but really went to Mexico and he followed her?

TO ME - taking the entire family with the kids on a trip where he plans to kill her does not make sense.
And her coming to meet him after she took all the money and ran also does not make sense.
I do understand why he would be in the USA and not in Mexico to wait for trial, but I do not see a motive.


The Money??? I doubt that she got it all, I doubt that it was all in cash, I doubt that it would make
a person who has money kill.
I think I can see people with no money left devastated.
But rich people are not devastated their money is spread out; no panick, no desperation.
Just saying.......

 

[Patticake]

Carla, Monica's sister, believes that Bruce's father was carrying a gun when he arrived at the dance club last night.

Although this is possibly an over-reaction, I have to wonder why Bruce's father would show up at the club at all.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/22/bruce...onica-producer-murder-father-david-gun-armed/


..

 

[Patticake]

..

Even though a major news outlet said that Bruce would not be charged Monday, RadarOnline is reporting:

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusiv...roducers-d-day-murder-charges-expected-monday

EXCLUSIVE: 'Survivor' Producer's D-Day, Murder Charges Expected On Monday

"First thing Monday morning a record will be entered before court for the crime of homicide," confirmed Alor Quesada in an exclusive statement to RadarOnline.com, that did not mention Bruce Beresford-Redman's name.

[snip]

However, the attorney representing the family of the victim, has said that even if an arrest order is issued, the Mexican government would have to request Beresford’s extradition, a process that could take several years.

Mexican law also does not permit defendants to be tried in absentia.

..

 

[thesaint]

Regarding the kids being in Cancun etc:

1. Monica had the kids in Hawaii. I believe she then traveled directly from Hawaii to Cancun.

2. They were down there for 10 days(?) and likely were going to be there for 2 weeks overall? I don't think you'd leave your kids back in LA that entire time, especially since it appears Monica had doubts about her sisters taking care of her children (the will change).
and she wouldn't want to leave them with her in-laws (Bruce's parents).

3. Most luxury hotels and luxury resorts offer babysitter/nanny services. It's possible they had 2 rooms or a suite or something, and they were able to leave the kids in the care of a nanny for as long as they liked/needed. LA children are likely accustomed to having a mexican nanny around.

4. Didn't Bruce fly the kids back to LA, leave them with his parents and then fly back to Cancun before reporting Monica missing?

 

[songline]

Regarding the kids being in Cancun etc:

1. Monica had the kids in Hawaii. I believe she then traveled directly from Hawaii to Cancun.

2. They were down there for 10 days(?) and likely were going to be there for 2 weeks overall? I don't think you'd leave your kids back in LA that entire time, especially since it appears Monica had doubts about her sisters taking care of her children (the will change).
and she wouldn't want to leave them with her in-laws (Bruce's parents).

3. Most luxury hotels and luxury resorts offer babysitter/nanny services. It's possible they had 2 rooms or a suite or something, and they were able to leave the kids in the care of a nanny for as long as they liked/needed. LA children are likely accustomed to having a Mexican nanny around.

4. Didn't Bruce fly the kids back to LA, leave them with his parents and then fly back to Cancun before reporting Monica missing?

BBM
I am interested in your last remark, I would love to hear more about that anyone know?
Maybe the kids have been in LA before anything bad has happened. Even if they had a nanny, next room with the kids. you cant pull off something like that quietly, unless you poison the person and they pass quietly.
Someone had said something about him having scratches, 8it that is true then there was a fight and a fight is never quiet.
they were seen arguing, but no reported they heard anything other then that.
I would hate to think he would kill his children's mom. but it is a crazy world out there.

 

[thesaint]

Sorry I don't have/recall more authoritative|detailed sources for the children being flown back to LA by/with Bruce before he reports Monica missing, but I do recall reading it in multiple news reports at the time. These links are what I dug up with some brief googling:

"Fast forward to 6AM Monday morning and a hotel guest in an adjoining room allegedly hears a commotion coming from the Beresford-Redman. Concerned by what was heard, the guest notified hotel security that the guest had heard “a woman screaming for help” from within that same room, this accompanied by the sound of furniture being moved, or thrown. A hotel employee called the Beresford-Redman room to inquire about the scream for help and other loud noises emanating from the room. A man answered from the room and said “everything was fine” but what about the woman’s scream, and what about Monica?"

"According to one media source, Bruce took their two children and flew back to Los Angeles before returning to Cancun alone and reporting that his wife was missing. It appears that Bruce’s accounting for his time and that accounting by provided by witnesses is at odds."

http://www.livesecure.org/murder-in-survivor-land/

Also, third comment, from Tina Harrinton:

http://nancygrace.blogs.cnn.com/201...-in-murder-of-fmr-‘survivor’-producer’s-wife/

 

[thesaint]

fwiw, i have a difficult time coming up with a scenario in which anyone other than Bruce is responsible for this awful murder. Pictures and videos of the resort show it surrounded by gates staffed with multiple guards armed with M-16 style rifles protecting this top-shelf Cancun resort.

Combine the lack of random access to the resort with the suspicious nature of Bruce's actions + his motive + opportunity + defensive wounds and the nature of the murder victim's injuries + the conflicting statements and time lines...

I think Bruce has "an exit strategy" and that he's primarily in the States right now to (i) convert all the assets he can to cash and off-shore accounts etc and (ii) leave the rest to the care of his parents, including his children.

My guess is he disappears for a few years and hopes that the chaotic situation in Mexico (the turf wars among the drug lords and the govt) continues and overshadows situations such as his own. Who knows what evidence will still be preserved by the Mexican authorities in 3 to 5 years?
Bruce bounces overseas--which he's familiar with via his 'Survivor' producer experience--and the Mexican authorities give up on him in the interest of dealing with more pressing matters.

 

[thesaint]

Everything Monica had is now Bruce's, including whatever ownership interest she had in Zabumba.

Perhaps the elder Beresford-Redman was checking up on his son's business interest?

Carla, Monica's sister, believes that Bruce's father was carrying a gun when he arrived at the dance club last night.

Although this is possibly an over-reaction, I have to wonder why Bruce's father would show up at the club at all.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/22/bruce...onica-producer-murder-father-david-gun-armed/