Suicide Post by School Principal

 

Christopher Christensen, 51, was the principal of William T. Newland Elementary School in Huntington Beach, Calif, for 22 years.  He committed suicide  days before he was scheduled to appear in court on two misdemeanor charges of battery and child endangerment. The charges stemmed from a domestic dispute between Christensen and his wife, Marlena. 

 Christensen had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On the day of his death, Christensen posted a lengthy note on Facebook in which he proclaims his innocence, saying he got into a heated argument with his wife but denied violence. 

Here are some quotes from his post, in which he addresses the allegations.  Analysis follows the quotes. 

He admitted getting into an argument: 

"However, never in this exchange did I hit, slap, or hurt Marlena in any manner. Nor did I ever touch the girls (I never have and never will),” 

"never" and "ever" are labeled as either unreliable or not reliable for the sake or analysis.  Which distinction is used often gives us insight into the analyst's thinking. 

If an allegation is vague in terms of dating, the word "never" may be not reliable, but could still be truthful.  If the subject (accused) does not know the dating of the allegation, and did not commit the act, he cannot look back to a specific time period in memory.  

However, in this case, the incident is singular (meaning a particular date, particular acts and the memorable calling of the police) which means the subject is looking back (and describing the event) to a most unique day o which hormonal consequence (experience) will be elevated.  (This is why lying under oath is most popular via 'I don't recall').  

He does not say, "I didn't hit Malena" but that he "never" did---- with "never" expanding time to his 3+ years of being married.  This is to avoid the specific crisis date for which he was arrested and charged, and for which now, he will (at the time of the writing) commit suicide.  

"However, never in this exchange did I hit, slap, or hurt Marlena in any manner. Nor did I ever touch the girls (I never have and never will)

"hit, slap or hurt"

Besides the unreliable use of "never", he specifies "hit" and "slap,"  

Did he punch?

Did he kick?

Did he threaten?

Did he throw something at her? 

Is his denial being unreliable ("never")  deceptive? 

He will give us more to continue analysis. 

What was it like for the girls?  

" Nor did I ever touch the girls (I never have and never will)

We should consider that more will come out about his relationship with what appears to be his step daughters. 

Did he cause them to witness domestic violence? (the impact upon children can alter their lives)

Did he throw things at them, or in their direction?

His statement to "never will" is true (due to suicide) but its inclusion here may suggest that this statement, as an unreliable denial, is also deceptive. 

He stressed, saying he loved the girls “like my own.” 

Next, he turns to blame his wife.  He wrote that it was her anger that causes him to commit suicide, and that she tried to take back her initial report from police.  

“Unfortunately, Marlena’s anger got the best of her that night and she called the police, which landed me in jail that night. Yes, me! A man who has never hit or harmed ANYONE in his life!

He now expands time even beyond the 3 years of marriage to his whole life...or did he? 

The expansion of time is noted (its need) but who is the person who has "never hit or harmed ANYONE in his life"?

He has removed himself from the sentence.  He does not say, "I have never hit or harmed anyone in my life" but turns to

a.  "a man" 

b. "in his life."

This is a subtle psychological removal of his presence from the statement---a statement being made just before suicide.  (greater context) 

He first blames his wife and now he blames the legal system.  

He addressed his upcoming court appearance: 

However, the legal system is extremely flawed (especially against men/fathers) and it’s sickening how quickly and easily an innocent man can be thrown in jail based on zero evidence or proof!” 

“So, here I am … writing my final FB post to all of you,” he wrote.

"an innocent man" continues the same theme of psychological commitment.  You must interpret this as him, rather than one, facing death and addressing all in a manner of which he will not face judicial nor societal consequences for.  This is the time when many make a more broad confession, even if it includes minimization or justification.  

He continues to distance himself from his statement.  Pronouns and articles are instinctive: 

I need you all to know that a gentle, kind, loving and sincerely good man 

It is not "I", but "a", indicating distance. 

Yet there is more. 

He is also a "gentle, kind, loving and sincerely good man"---

With the psychological distance, we find the "good guy" principle in analysis, 

Who has need to persuade he is the "good guy"?

It is often found to be to the contrary of the attempted persuasion. Couple this need to persuade with the distancing language and the information indicates clarity. 

has been destroyed by one unfortunate night. 

Here he reverses time showing that he does, in deed, look back to the night of  the event.  This assists the analyst in properly assessing the unreliable denial.  

He calls the "one" night of which is causing his suicide "unfortunate."  This is an interesting word in which "destroyed" would suggest something more than just "unfortunate."  

Note well that he is, in his language, in that "one night" in this lesser context of his statement. 

He is there, 

He now repeats the word "unfortunate" with emphasis ("really") which is to persuade.  

"don't touch the stove; it is hot" versus 

"don't touch the stove; it is really hot" shows the difference,. 

It really is unfortunate! 

A night that has "destroyed" his life now needs strengthening persuasion that warrants the greater context (suicide), after reversing time from his entire life to a single night?

He now dissociates or exercises human denial that indicates self protection (even in the face of suicide): 

This is NOT me! 

It isn't him; it is someone else.  This is a common theme of guilt where one is able to express the situation as if the "real" person living inside of him would never do such a thing,. 

This is NOT something that I ever thought would happen to me,” he wrote.

He is a victim of Marlena, the legal system and now in general. 

This is not only insightful into personality, but it may be an indicator of substance abuse. 

“Please remember me for all the good I brought to the world of education,” 

He is still concerned about his reputation even though he will not be alive. 

He is the "good" person who has done "all the good" in the world of education. 

We now see the expansion of time. 

What does this suggest? 

This is not an ideal way to go out, but at least I get a chance to say some final words to those who I love and adore,” said Christensen, who had three adult children from a previous relationship as well as three stepchildren, according to the L.A. Daily News.

“Take care everyone. Please, please, please be kind to one another! Treat each other with kindness and grace,” he wrote.

“There is too much anger in the world and people need to start treating each other better. What I’ve shared with you above is a prime example of how ‘anger’ can really have long-lasting and extremely damaging effects on a person’s life,” he ended the tragic note.

Analysis Conclusion: 

He is deceptive.

There is likely a lengthy history of anger and abuse, and perhaps an exhaustion from leading a double life of sorts; one of which is his image among colleagues, and the other which has been experienced by his wife (perhaps ex wife, also), her daughters, and his grown children. 

I won't be surprised if details emerge of abuse, violence, threats and possibly sexual abuse. Substance abuse may also be present. 

This is a tragic ending to what he has done, and his family will be left to cope with complex and likely mixed emotions for the rest of their lives. 

If you wish to study deception detection please visit Hyatt Analysis Services.