Grief in Comparison: Use of Social Comparison Among Cold Case Homicide Survivors

Wellman, Ashley

doi:10.1080/15325024.2013.801306

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…With each unsolved homicide the surviving family members are left to cope with the aftermath, becoming a unique class of victims known as cold case homicide survivors. Few scholars have explored this subset of homicide survivors (exceptions: Stretesky et al, 2010; Wellman, 2014a, 2014b), but these individuals struggle with a unique grief and complicated reality that exists long after the murder.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, if there is an absence of social and family support and/or the survivor had a strained relationship with the murder victim prior to death, there is an increased risk of traumatic grief. Wellman (2014a, 2014b) examines cold case homicide survivors, and has found that the unsolved, uncertain journey that they face further contributes to enhanced traumatic grief. Further complicating their experience, years of interactions with practitioners, including media, constantly remind survivors of the violent death.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the relationship between cold case homicide survivors and the media

Wellman

2016

Crime, Media, Culture

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After a homicide, survivors are thrust into relationships with a myriad of professionals. For cold case homicide survivors, these relationships are likely to develop into long-term, persistent interactions. Interviews from 24 cold case homicide survivors in the United States reveal that media professionals are often the source of additional trauma, and yet, most survivors expressed a need for continued communication and continued coverage of their case. Utilizing social constructivist grounded theory for data collection and analysis, common themes emerging from the survivors’ stories include inadequate coverage of the case, inaccurate portrayal of victim or information, negative reactions to the media, and positive experiences and desire for long-term coverage. Implications and recommendations for survivors and media professionals are detailed within.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the relationship between cold case homicide survivors and the media

Wellman

2016

Crime, Media, Culture

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“…Table 1 provides a summary of the included articles, including information about the study participants, design, methods and results. The results for two articles by Wellman 22 were based solely on the authors' interpretation of their results-there was no supporting evidence (e.g., quotes) accompanying the authors' interpretation of their results. This is in contrast to Thiel, 23 where the authors' interpretation of their results were provided in conjunction with supporting evidence (e.g., quotes).…”

Section: Study Selectionmentioning

confidence: 90%

How Do Different Case Conclusions Impact on Survivors of Homicide? Developing and Applying a Conceptual Framework to Organize Current Empirical Knowledge

Baguley

McPhedran

Eriksson

et al. 2020

Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice

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Supporting families and friends of homicide victims (‘survivors’) requires understanding how homicide impacts on survivors. Although recent work has examined how the loss of a loved one and events following a homicide—such as media coverage, the criminal justice processes and the perpetrator’s sentence—affects survivors, there has been little consideration of how final ‘case conclusions’ (other than the perpetrator’s sentence)—such as homicide–suicide, cold-case homicide or perpetrator declared permanently unfit for trial or acquitted of murder or manslaughter—impacts on survivors. This article examines existing literature about how different final case conclusions, other than the perpetrator’s sentence, impact on survivors. A novel conceptual framework—the ‘Homicide Case Pathway’—is presented to organize these efforts. There are shared and diverse effects of final case conclusions on survivors, centred on five key themes—emotions and feelings, denial of justice, lack of closure, belief in the system and hope. There is a clear need to conduct further research into the effect of final case conclusions on survivors, in order to better understand survivors’ experiences, and subsequently identify and implement suitably tailored victim support strategies for survivors.

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“…Cold-case homicide survivors face many of the same consternations as solved case homicide survivors but because of the unique timeframe of their cases and their often prolonged relationships with law enforcement (and the negative aspects of that relationship), their experiences are often intensified (Bucholz, 2002;Dannemiller, 2002;Holstein & Miller, 1990;Wellman, 2014;Wellman & Borg, 2018). While solved homicide survivors have reported the need for case resolution and explanation before they can truly heal (Stretesky et al, 2010;Updegraff et al, 2008;Wellman & Borg, 2018), cold-case survivors face the reality of never having that resolution.…”

Section: Cold Case Homicide Survivors Perceptions Of Law Enforcementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Cold Case Homicide Survivors’ Perceptions of and Relationships With Law Enforcement

Wellman

Meitl

2020

J Interpers Violence

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Given the nature of unsolved homicide, a complicated dynamic exists between survivors of cold case homicides and law enforcement personnel. The current study utilizes interviews with 24 survivors to explore the perceptions associated with this relationship. Employing a grounded theory framework, we find several themes depicted within these narratives that guide survivors’ overall perceptions of their relationship with law enforcement, including investigative and communication efforts. Results indicate that the survivors universally perceive original detectives were incompetent or ineffective in their original investigation, thus leading to the unsolved status of their case. Over time, secondary and current investigators were also perceived as unable to properly investigate, due to challenges such as insufficient evidence or simply not conducting a comprehensive examination of the case. Regardless of this negative view of police activity on the case, relationships were defined by the level and nature of communication survivors had with their detective. Families who felt listened to, included, and/or valued reported a positive relationship with police that allowed them to trust their case was in good hands. Participants who perceived communication to be secretive, misleading, or completely absent noted strained relationships and further disappointment. Survivors may adopt roles, such as investigator, spokesperson, or advocate, to help compensate for their perception that the case is not properly cared for by police. With regard to grief progress and health of cold case homicide survivors, it is possible treatment by law enforcement outweighs the significant of case resolution years after the homicide. Recommendations for more productive survivor/police interactions are included.

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Grief in Comparison: Use of Social Comparison Among Cold Case Homicide Survivors

Cited by 12 publications

References 22 publications

Exploring the relationship between cold case homicide survivors and the media

Exploring the relationship between cold case homicide survivors and the media

How Do Different Case Conclusions Impact on Survivors of Homicide? Developing and Applying a Conceptual Framework to Organize Current Empirical Knowledge

Exploring Cold Case Homicide Survivors’ Perceptions of and Relationships With Law Enforcement

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