Missing The Links
A Mother’s Murder of My 17-Month Old Son Garrison
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My 17 month-old son Garrison Burchett was murdered by his mother on February 23, 2009. A wonderful, beautiful young man who had so much happiness in life, and who was just beginning his journey, was taken from the world that fateful day. Garrison’s murder was brutal. It was ritualistic. It was grotesque. It made national news. It is hard to imagine something more counter-intuitive, something so dramatically un-natural, and so utterly incomprehensible. His mothers defense strategy centered on post-partum stress, causing a psychotic episode which led to her insanity, and eventually to Garrison’s murder. This is usually only heard of in the news media, or in the movies. Never by someone that you know and love. I invite the reader to join me in this journey. Not to critically dissect each and every word, thought, observation, or description. Being critical is the easy thing that most people do. But thoughtful contemplation is more difficult. Think of this story in its entirety – always consider the context of what I am trying to say. I am writing this from my heart, but I am editing it through my mind. People who know me may read this from a completely different perspective of someone who hasn’t ever met me. Someone who has experienced loss similar to mine would read this from a different perspective of someone who has never lost someone in this manner. Try not to judge me too harshly. Everyone is judgmental, no matter how hard we try not to be. In my opinion, being judgmental is quite acceptable. However, make sure that your judgments are based on facts, in the light of perspective. I have made many, many mistakes, and believe me, no one who will read this will be a more viscous critic of what is said – than me.
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About the Book
Imagine coming home, and finding your 17-month old son's body in your bed. Imagine discovering that your wife, or what was once your wife, had taken the life of your son. How would you react? What would you do? "Missing The Links" is a book written by Greg Burchett which vividly describes the tragic event that altered his life forever. Greg takes the reader on an intimate journey, describing what ultimately led up to this tragedy, how he dealt with the loss of his son, and how he began his recovery. Gluing together the shattered pieces of a life destroyed is often the most difficult thing anyone can experience in their lives. This book offers rare insight into how Greg attempted to be successful in dealing with this tragedy. He starkly discusses his failures, as well. It is vividly written, from his heart, and articulately edited through his mind. This book is different. It is written from a man's perspective. It is written from a husband's perspective. When discussing the murder of a child, very little is available from this perspective. Much has been written clinically, or even from the woman's point-of-view. But the insights of a loving father, a husband who felt a loss of "control" over his life, and on his ultimate strength rediscovered. Finding optimism in the center of turmoil... Admitting you need help... Realizing that there were many "warning signs" or "missing links" which, if recognized, could have avoided such a tragedy. These are the central themes of this book. Themes, that anyone, anywhere, can relate to.
About the Author
Greg Burchett lost his 17-month old son Garrison on February 23, 2009. Garrison's life was taken by his mother. It was horrific, and the story was discussed nationwide. "Missing The Links" is Greg's attempt to understand this tragedy - from all of the events which led up to Garrison's death, to how someone can cope with their new reality, and how you can optimistically begin a new life. This life journey was the inspiration for this book. Greg Burchett is an Associate Professor of Life Sciences (Biology) at Riverside City College, and currently lives in Riverside, California.