Now that we are in deep into Fall and past Spooky Season, based on crime statistics, we’re relatively safe from getting murdered.
Until about May, the only thing we really have to worry about is offending relatives during the Holidays.
It doesn’t take a criminal researcher to conclude that more people out and about with an increase of public events and activities leads to more crime. Obviously there will be more crime in New York City than the bustling metropolis of Pleasureville, Kentucky. This subject has been debated for years and they have proven the theory correct.
It is a balmy 29 degrees where I am. It’s safe to say that there is not a lot going on as most people are probably warm and cozy in their houses slack-jawed and watching 90 Day Fiancé and not out and about. At least that’s what I’m doing right now.
So, let’s reminisce about sweaty days past with some depressing and true crime stats.
When the temperature rises so does the murder rate. According to the New York Times, the rate of shootings doubled in Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit on hot days versus cold. While those cities are located in colder climates, the trend still applies to warmer climates such as Atlanta and Orlando.
While the increase of bodies in the morgue in the summer applies to all months, there is one in particular that seems to be particularly bloody… August.
Ed Kemper murdered his grandparents in August.
John Wayne Gacy killed two victims back to back in August 1976.
Richard Ramirez murdered three victims on August 6,8,18,24 in 1985 and was captured on August 30.
Jeffrey Dahmer murdered his last three victims a month earlier in July which coincides with the theory of increased homicides in colder cities in warmer months. Note: Dahmer was active in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
One of the most disturbing trends found in the study of increased crime in the warmer months is that family annihilators (those who murder their families and often themselves) are most likely to commit their crimes on a Sunday in August.
This seems like an obscure and almost bogus fact. However, it makes perfect sense when you look closer.
Sunday is often the day when fathers are with their children. In divorced families, Sunday is the more often than not the day that children are taken back to their mother after spending time with their fathers. In many cases of family annihilators, fathers will murder children as a way to hurt their mother or get revenge for someway she wronged him. In turn, male family annihilators then murder the mother to eliminate a witness.
Not only does the summer heat make criminals all murder happy, the season can also increase depression.
Researchers have found a possible link between individuals likely to commit violence and depression. This is not to saythat everyone with depression is violent! A Murder Most Foul is a pro mental health blog. Yours truly suffers from adult ADD and PMDD and I take medicine for both. Dn’t @ me on Twitter or send me hate mail.
Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed these depressing and true crime facts that I’ve tried to make entertaining. Stay warm and stay inside next August.
A Murder Most Foul 