April 23, 2009

COULD THE ‘’CRAIGsLIST” MURDER BE RELATED TO AN ADDICTION TO GAMBLING?

We have recently been asked this question by the media. We are aware of many examples of problem gambling playing a major role in crimes. The risk of crime rises as the gambler experiences increased desperation to obtain money for gambling. Most problem gambling related crime is carried out secretly, with the gambler wishing to avoid confrontation. However, there are numerous instances where desperate problem gamblers demand money or try to take money from someone in order to be able to gamble. Violence in these situations often occurs and escalates unpredictably, especially if the victim resists. Most of the time, the violence is situational and not premeditated. However, premeditated violence occurs as well.

Regarding the “Craigslist” murder, circumstantial evidence has been released which point to the possibility that problem gambling played a role. If Philip Markoff is prosecuted and convicted of the murder of Julissa Brisman, further information about his gambling behavior and a psychological evaluation will likely reveal his motivation and mental state. However, another earlier infamous case of murder almost 12 years ago in Massachusetts clearly demonstrated that a gambling problem can be a major factor in murder. Considerable media attention was given to the murder of Elaine Donahue by her husband, Edward Donahue. After Mr. Donahue depleted his family’s assets due to his addiction to lottery tickets, Mrs. Donahue took over the family finances and restricted Mr. Donahue’s access to funds. It appears that Mr. Donahue’s motive for murdering his wife was to regain access to money so that he could freely gamble. It was reported, that on his way home from placing his wife’s body in a storage container he stopped to buy lottery tickets. We are aware of reports from many states, including Connecticut, of instances of problem gambling being the primary reason for murder.

The personal and social costs of a gambling problem are usually not as dramatic as the Donahue (and possibly the Markoff) case, except perhaps for the ultimate violence toward oneself (suicide), which is more common among compulsive gamblers than in other addictive disorders. Both murder and suicide may also occur together. Violence comes in many forms, from domestic physical and emotional abuse, to child neglect and the destruction of security, self-esteem and trust. Most of problem gambling’s destructive ripple effects throughout the community are insidious. There are many thousands of pathological gamblers who are out of control and insatiably consuming and laying waste so much of their and our precious personal and financial resources.

Note: Information has now been made public that police have discovered in Philip Markoff’s apartment underwear of his alleged victims. This information and the fact that there was a sexual context to the communication between him and his alleged victims leads to the speculation that sexual addiction could have been a contributing factor in this case. Oftentimes, simultaneous addictions reinforce each other and intensify the behavior and increase impulsive acting out. In addition, other non-addictive serious co-occurring mental disorders may be present and influential as well.

Caution: The Markoff case is an opportunity to educate about the power and destructiveness of addictions and is not meant to diagnose any problem that Mr. Markoff may have. Gambling and sex addictions are treatable disorders and usually do not result in violence. Sufferers of these disorders and their families are encouraged to call for professional and/or self help assistance.