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Subscribe to RSSThe body of the gunman who killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings was claimed last week by his father for burial, according to a family spokesman.
Adam Lanza’s father, Peter, claimed his son's remains on Thursday, and private arrangements were held over the weekend at an undisclosed location, a spokesman for Peter Lanza said.
Twenty-year-old Adam Lanza gunned down 20 first-graders and six school staffers on Dec. 14 after first killing his mother in the home they shared in the quiet New England hamlet of Newtown, Conn. Lanza died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police stormed the school during his rampage.
A private service for his mother, Nancy Lanza, was held earlier this month in New Hampshire. The Lanzas divorced a few years ago, and Peter was said to be estranged from his son. He has stayed largely out of sight since the killings.
An investigation into the massacre, which President Obama on Sunday called the worst day of his presidency, is ongoing. A federal task force on gun violence is expected to give its recommendations to Obama next month.
Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images
A nation mourns after the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history left 20 children and six staff members dead at Sandy Hook Elementary.
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Nice to see the Media Whores are still milking this story for everything they can.
They're just pleasing their John readers by giving them what they want.
I don't understand how a "father" could walk away from a son who clearly had serious mental heal issues. The boy clearly needed help and the wife was simply not equipped to handle the situation. According the divorce settlement, this "father" agreed to pay $240,000 a year in alimony, pay for the son's college education, purchase a car for the son... basically pay any price just to get out. The one thing his son needed was mental health treatment. His wife filed for divorce, but if he really cared about the welfare of his son (and the son's mother, for that matter) he should have used the settlement as leverage to ensure that his son got the mental health treatment he needed. All the terms of the settlement should have been contingent on at least 1 year of intensive in-patient treatment for the son as well as family counseling for both parents. Further, the son should have been compelled to continue out-patient treatment as a condition of getting the car, education, etc. Instead he chose to write a check and wash his hands of the whole situation. I can only hope that we learn from this situation and fathers realize that you don't only get to father perfect children, you have also father the imperfect ones.
Great 20/20 hindsight there Ruth. If you haven't been through a divorce with an angry woman, you might want to be very careful how you respond to a situation like this. Settlements are generally just that, settlements, in order to get out of a really bad situation, and like our government, can lead to a worse situation even with all the good intentions that led to the settlement.
Ruth K.
Have you considered the possibility that the situation with the son might in fact have been the impetus for the divorce? Have you considered that "mommy" was an enabler that wanted to "protect" her child from the world at any and all expense? Of course these are nothing but suppositions on my part and have no basis in fact. So, I feel confident saying;
Have you considered that you really don't know ANY of the situation and are the least able to condemn another?
Having lived through a situation where the divorce was ugly and very one sided. I didn't want the divorce because of a child, I don't know many parents that do. The final issue is that sometimes the only thing you can do is accept you can't control the situation. Even when later events create the whatif scenarios in your mind for the rest of your life.
Did the autopsy reveal any drugs, etc., or just an evil mind.
That's what I'm VERY curious about as well. There are numberous accounts of documented cases where anti depressants have caused violent and suicidal reactions. Read the warnings on some of this stuff. Ít's scary. Yet we still allow doctors to prescribe it.
My son was prescribed Paxil for a short time and he literally turned into a monster. I took him off QUICK. Shortly thereafter he returned to his normal personality. He struggled with depression, which is normal in lots of teenagers but, grew out of it.
We will probably never hear about a toxicology result but, I'm very curious about the possiblity that it could have been a contributing factor.
His father is not to blame- he was one sick kid. Plenty of parents write their kids off for the stupidist of reasons.
Parents can be mentally ill also but if he doesn't claim the body it's no big deal.
Wouldn't it be kind to at least have some compassion for this father?
Adam is dead, his deed is recorded for all time. He'll be dealt with in another place in time.
Can't we stop all the hating?
I'm sorry, but I can only feel compassion for the families of 26 people that died. I'm sure the father feels badly now, but it's too little too late.
Ruth K., you can't say you feel compassion for the 20 kids families and not Adam Lanza's family. Otherwise you are branded sick, self absorbed and bitter.
No only you tony from the comments you made..
Again seek help..
What Adam Lanza did was beyond awful, but there is a man who lost a son and ex-wife and another man who lost his mother and only sibling. They are grieving as much, if not more, than anyone.
I was touched by the first father of one of the slain children who spoke to the media. He asked everyone to remember that the killer's family was traumitized by this experience, too.
Let God judge Adam Lanza. Let us show respect to all the families whose lifes were ripped apart that day - including the Lanzas.
You are dead wrong. While we all understand this murderer's family is hurting, it is totally appropriate to reserve one's sympathy for the true victims here. This family created this situation, and they are responsible for failing to control this defective POS and for instead arming and training him to be a killer. I'm sick of people like you whining and pining over this monster's remaining family. Let them sleep in the bed they've made. Maybe they'll learn some personal responsibility for the messes they make.
I don't think it bears recognition that some victims' families have expressed sympathy for this murderer's family. I defend and respect those families' rights to get through this and deal with it in any way that serves them best. But I would have no less respect for families who cursed that murderer's name and called that family out for what they are. You and others like you are irresponsible for promoting the idea that these families are less honorable if they don't extend their sympathies to this pathetic man's family. These victims' families should be able to express whatever emotions they desire towards this family without judgement, praise or shaming, from any of us. These families should not be pressured by pubic sentiment to express any feelings in particular to this killer's family. Who cares how they deal with it? I say they are within their rights to do whatever helps them.
The way to stop this kind of thing from happening again is to hold people responsible for their actions, not wringing our hands over those who are neither innocent nor victims in this.
zivo24,My God is a loving God and will not be judging Adam Lanza.He no doubt has judged those in power who decimated our mental health care system to save a few bucks.To the politicians money was more important than their citizens mental well being.The mentally ill who have no place to go usually end up on the streets,themselves becoming victims of crime.Those who have done nothing about it are the only ones being judged.
Adam Lanza was as clearly mentally ill as anyone could be. He was not in control of his actions most likely. His father and brother are survivors and must live on and deal with this horror. They need our sympathy, not our hatred. Adam's family will live with this for the rest of their lives. Please let them bury their son. Have some humanity.
Regardless of what Adam Lanza did, and as horrible as that was, he was still the son of Peter Lanza and a parents love for a child is absolute. You don't condone, hell you can even condemn the ACTIONS of the son or daughter, but in the end they are still your son or daughter and familial love is a powerful force.
I wish you well Peter. I can't even imagine the grief and anguish you must feel over the horror brought on others by your son.
The gun control nuts will forever immortalize this guy as a hero for their cause.
Joe Scatone
You should have read your own post BEFORE posting your inane drivel.
You don't think the gun control crowd just loves him? What planet are you on? This is the kind of thing they dream will happen. It's a well know fact that mass shootings are the only thing that will arouse Jim Brady.
Joe, your a turd. And you know it.
Go gel your hair, Joanne
Joe Scatone
There is always time for ignorant posts on Internet message boards! The constant babble of idiocy you see here every day is how most people best deal with their problems.
#37.1 - Mon Dec 31, 2012 11:46 AM EST
FAIL
What a load of nonsense, Joe. Seriously.
Brandy all you want is a reaction with your stupid statement,so i will give you one,Now is not the time for your ignorant post,have some compassion and think of the innocent children who were murdered in cold blood.May God bless your troubled soul.
There is always time for ignorant posts on Internet message boards! The constant babble of idiocy you see here every day is how most people best deal with their problems.
Maybe if he hadn't grown up around guns...
He just made it easier for Lawyers to sue him for wrongful death.
???????????????????
Please expand on your rational for this concept.
We can all tell by your comment where you went to law school.
I can't help but feel sorrow for the Father. To have to go through your remaining life, knowing what your own child, your own flesh and blood, did. Its just awful. Always wondering, is there something I could have done? what did I miss? could I have been a better Dad, spent more time with, and helped my son with his illness?
I have a son, and grandson, and can I only imagine.
Nobody will ever fully understand this, ever.
Worthless POS, he should be diced into chum and fed to sharks.
May you Burn in Hell Adam, and even that is to good for you!
I guess the body must be claimed but I, like many, hope that the resting place for Adam Lanza is filled with fire and chaos and of course the famous gnashing of teeth.
I hope that it is filled with peace and love.He did not ask to suffer from mental illness.Would you ask that you or your family members be afflicted with any disease of the body?
Pray for the families, they need everyones support...
Wow. What a screwed up family. The father was estranged from the son it says. You have a mom that doesnt lock up her assault rifle and extra clips around a mental patient. And then you have a father that doesnt visit the son he left with his crazy ex-wife. This persons anger was a result of divorced parents. It probably didnt help to have the father leave his least favorite son behind and decline to visit him. I think every married couple reaches a point where they're not really into it. You cant walk away from the children you create. If you do, dont be suprised when they mutate into monsters.
It wasn't an assault rifle. Stop repeating lies.
jajajaja and you thought your family was bad, that family makes your family look and feel good and perfect. I tell you what gets to me, now they want to make a dead beat dad a heroe, or a good father. When in fact, he did not care about his own son. Infact he was never around for the child. Infact, the woman is one crazy woman that all she wanted was to poison america with her garbage ideas of the 2nd ammendment and it back fired on her. I did not have a perfect marriage, but you know, it was not as bad or even comming close to something like that. I was poor man trying to make a living, but hey we cared about others.
LawlessLuke,And you and your family are perfect in every sense of the way?You have made no mistakes in your life?You actually believe that divorce causes schizophrenia?
yes it does and causes other trauma and I am wondering if you are one of them traumatized.
pedrora,You have no idea or education on mental illnesses.Maybe you should read up on it and them come back and make your comments to me on this subject.I love to debate these issues hoping that civilized people will learn something from tragedies such s this.
This is a young man who clearly had issues that were not resolved. Let's stop blaming those around him without knowing the facts. I am sure he was loved and those around him did what they thought was best for him.
As parents, we all make mistakes since kds don't come with instructions.
Let's allow the Lanza family time to grieve. WE have no right to judge them.
What about you, are you divorce, living with someone other than the father of the children. And those around him were doing the same thing as he was, you can only see it.
Yes, I want to know what the father said, Peter Lanza. I want to hear from his mouth and his idea without prejudice. I congratulate Peter for separating the monster wife that he had. He made a good decision when leaving her. I don't feel sorry for peter, he is good man that tried bringing up a child in this society full of hate, killing, murder, adultary, money hungry society that all it thinks about is money, money this, money that. How about simply being a normal person with needs just like a normal person has. I am a firm believer that a child is a gift of God to the couple but man, reading about what happens and how people think about a child well I begin to think people have children for the wrong reasons and the results is an adam lanza.
pedrora,In the time it took you to analyze the Lanza family's dynamics,you could have read up on mental illness.That is the breakdown in society to me,lack of reading and self education on the human body, which includes the brain. And why is it you feel that Mr. Lanza owes you an explanation?Did you lose a family member to this tragedy?
answer the question, you did not answer the question, are you living with someone other than the father of the children.
pedrora,Are you demanding that I answer your personal question about myself on a public forum?It's not happening and I consider you too immature to have a conversation with.I will now be ignoring you.
After the Senate unanimously passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2013 Tuesday, Pro Publica has created and released Friday an explanation about what is new in next year's defense laws and how it impacts Americans on United States soil.
NDAA 2012, according to rights experts, codified martial law. Award-winning journalist Chris Hedges sued the U.S. government over NDAA 2012, calling it "corporate fascism."
(See Top rights defender suing Obama over NDAA fascism and watch Hedges present his historical 2010 anti-war soliloquy)
Chris Hedges on NDAA 2013 expanding under Obama's 2nd termChris Hedges on NDAA 2013 expanding under Obama's 2nd term
NDAA 2013, according to legal experts this week, strengthened the former act.
By failing to veto NDAA 2012, and signing it on New Years Eve, President Obama compromised national security and the rule of law, according to Raha Wala, advocacy counsel for Human Rights First. There is consequently little hope Obama will veto NDAA 2013, although appeal is being lodged for him to do so.
Hedges has said that Obama would expand NDAA in his second term.
(Watch hedges on Russia Today, "NDAA to expand if Obama re-elected?" on this page at the left.)
Washington Times reports on NDAA Friday in its article, Indefinite Detention and the NDAA: The rise of America’s imperial presidency, including an interview with Tenth Amendment Center’s Blake Filippi who recently authored a column on the Feinstein Amendment.
"Of utmost importance is that section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA authorizes the “armed forces to detain [such] covered persons” pending disposition by the President according to the Law of War," Filippi says. "Thus, the armed forces are purportedly authorized to detain all persons within the USA; an implicit and wholesale repeal of posse comitatus, the post-reconstruction ban on the military exercising a police function over the domestic civilian population."
Also see the ten questions asked about NDAA 2013 and how it impacts Americans' human civil rights, provided by Pro Publica.
_____________
Deborah Dupré is author of "Vampire of Macondo," 450 pages of censored stories about Corexit carpet-bombing and the BP-wrecked Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, continuing to cause catastrophic human and environmental devastation. Follow the Bayou Corne Sinkhole Disaster.
For interviews with Ms. Dupré, contact Pump Up Your Book. For book signings, email gdeborahdupre@gmail.com.
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I feel bad for the father. I know his son did the unthinkable and the father must feel horrible all over. the father do have that right to bury his son. He could not just leave the body unclaimed and for his healing he need to give his son a proper burial. Lanza did wrong and trust me his soul will never have peace!
I agree with you, the father has the right, but lets not called him father at this time.
Tough job to have to handle.
As far as I'm concerned throw him in the city dump, for all that he has done!
dan9u,You could have read a paragraph on schizophrenia in the time it took you to post a hateful comment.
and let me tell you sometime cleaninglady, the answer is no, but you know what, neither did you and yes my son was a victim of a violent crime and you don't have any idea what you are talking about and even asking or how it feels, before all of this happens I have been dealing with nonsense trategies. And I agree with lawlessluke.
Give it a proper burial...a waste receptacle. 'It' referring to sub-human behavior and disregard.