Suicide and laws

[DespairBeyondRepair]

I am wondering about laws regarding suicide. I don't know much about this subject. I know that online bullying has resulted in a lot of teens opting out....leading some of the perpetrators to be charged with manslaughter. If I were to kill myself because of the murder of my child, could the accused face any kind of charges from my suicide? The fact is that if this person did not kill my kid I would still be alive. Any ideas, info, or thoughts?

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

I would leave a note placing the blame on your child's killer as you've done here, list people who can vouch for your statement that you would not otherwise have done so, and request that the murderer be held accountable for your death in the same way as bullies who instigate a suicidal response.

Those who can vouch would be helpful to your case if you ever said to them prior to the murder that you would never suicide, or what specific things could cause you to suicide, such as the death of your child. Also, if you talked to others about suicide after your child's murder, but did not ever talk about it before. However, I don't encourage you to start talking about it now if you haven't before just to strengthen your position, as that will raise red flags if you're determined to make that choice, and they may try to prohibit you from doing it.

 

[DespairBeyondRepair]

Ty for your input. I was planning on leaving a note that would start like this...' This is not a suicide. It's a murder. If my child was alive, I would be alive too....' something like that..

 

[autumnal]

Ty for your input. I was planning on leaving a note that would start like this...' This is not a suicide. It's a murder. If my child was alive, I would be alive too....' something like that..

It would be a powerful moral statement, but I'm afraid it is very unlikely to have any criminal legal repercussions for the perpetrator.

It might possibly have more traction as a civil matter (i.e. lawsuit), but that would require one of your surviving relatives to instigate one against the perpetrator.

Were they ever held accountable for the murder of your child?

 

[FriendofDeath]

I am sorry for the loss of your child. I don't think your child's murderer could be charged when you transition, but there's always a first time. Some case has to set precedent, and there have been more cases where someone has been charged in relation to a suicide. I agree with autumnal, that a civil case might be the best possibility. I hope whoever was responsible for taking your child has already been tried and convicted. The loss of a child is the toughest thing I have known.