Lisa Snyder and the Deaths of Conner and Brinley

Thirty-six-year-old Lisa Snyder is facing the death penalty, charged with killing her 8-year-old son, Conner, and her 4-year-old daughter, Brinley, on September 23, 2019. According to Lisa, Conner was depressed and angry over being bullied at school and committed suicide by hanging himself in the basement of their home. She believes he killed his sister, who was found hanging three feet away from him because, as he had previously told her, he was scared to die alone.

The deaths immediately aroused suspicion. “It would be safe to say we immediately had questions,” said District Attorney John Adams. “Eight-year-olds, generally that I’m aware of, do not commit suicide.” But he is wrong.

Suicide in Preteens: Do 8-Year-Olds Kill Themselves?

Although uncommon, 8-year-olds do commit suicide. About 33 children between ages 5 and 11 kill themselves every year; it is the third leading cause of death for this age group. On January 26, 2017, for example, 8-year-old Gabriel Taye took his own life after being kicked and hit by several of his elementary school classmates in Cincinnati, Ohio. Two days later, he hung himself with a necktie from his bunk bed.

Even when young children don’t act on them, suicidal thoughts aren’t something to be taken lightly. Certain disorders- depression, ADHD, eating…