Neil Entwistle allegedly murdered his wife and infant daughter on January 20, 2006. The bodies of 27 year old Rachel and 9 month old Lillian were found on January 22, two days later….in the master bedroom of their rented home in Hopkinton. Autopsy results showed that Rachel died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and her daughter…her 9 month old daughter, died of a gunshot wound to the stomach. What a horrifying story. How long do you think that poor defensless infant lived gutshot? It took 2 days before the police even knew they were missing! Where was dad? Oh, he was busy returning the murder weapon to the home of his inlaws and then fleeing the country to hide out in England.So, what led this “loving” husband and father to such desperation as to kill his wife and infant daughter? Well, the news recently reported that the prosecutors in the Neil Entwistle murder case are trying to get their hands on the online gambling records of Neil Entwistle. According to news sources, this father and husband was having financial difficulties, and had debt obligations in England and in the US.
The state alleges he lost hundreds of dollars on an internet gambling site in the month before the slayings of his wife, Rachel, 27, and daughter Lillian Rose, who was 9 months old. He is accused of shooting them to hide a life of gambling, debt and sex. - WCVB news
Yet here we are….trying to open people’s eyes as to why a casino is bad for our community, bad for our State. Yet it seems that gambling addition and the costs to those individuals and their families falls on deaf ears. Our Governor says “he gets it…it’s entertainment” and our pro casino friends feel that the financial gains far outweigh the social cost of gambling addiction. Yeah, tell that to Rachel’s and Lillian’s family….
"Rachel and Lilly loved Neil very much. Neil was a trusted husband and father and it is incomprehensible how that love and trust was betrayed in the ultimate act of violence,"
Sorry to say, it appears that this otherwise loving and caring husband killed his family out of desperation….financial desperation that was probably made worse through on-line gambling. He had serious financial problems and perhaps felt that he could “win big” by gambling his money. Yes, it was on-line, but if there had been a casino say 10, 15, 20 minutes away from home, I wonder if he would have gone there instead….and it makes me wonder if this type of heartbreaking crime will become the norm in our community if a casino is right down the road.
Research shows that up to 4% of the population will become addicted to gambling…..this is a number based on the people who actually seek help….how much is that number really - 5%....6%...higher? And how can anyone condone an industry that breeds this kind of desperation….the kind where you feel trapped and the only way out is to kill your family and then perhaps yourself, unless of course, you decide to flee the country instead.
''To think that someone we loved, trusted, opened our home to could do this to our daughter and granddaughter is beyond belief," Joseph Flaherty, a family spokesman, said.
"Rachel and Lilly loved Neil very much. Neil was a trusted husband and father and it is incomprehensible how that love and trust was betrayed in the ultimate act of violence,"
Sorry to say, it appears that this otherwise loving and caring husband killed his family out of desperation….financial desperation that was probably made worse through on-line gambling. He had serious financial problems and perhaps felt that he could “win big” by gambling his money. Yes, it was on-line, but if there had been a casino say 10, 15, 20 minutes away from home, I wonder if he would have gone there instead….and it makes me wonder if this type of heartbreaking crime will become the norm in our community if a casino is right down the road.
Research shows that up to 4% of the population will become addicted to gambling…..this is a number based on the people who actually seek help….how much is that number really - 5%....6%...higher? And how can anyone condone an industry that breeds this kind of desperation….the kind where you feel trapped and the only way out is to kill your family and then perhaps yourself, unless of course, you decide to flee the country instead.
''To think that someone we loved, trusted, opened our home to could do this to our daughter and granddaughter is beyond belief," Joseph Flaherty, a family spokesman, said.Yes, to think that something like this could happen to our family, friends or perhaps ourselves is quite disturbing. What I also find to be quite disturbing is the attitude of pro casino constituents who feel that this is an acceptable risk and that the financial benefits far outweigh the social costs. One pro casino advocate, who also is apparently a mental health professional has the following to say about this issue:
Would I prefer that we could wish away all the problems associated with gambling and turn casinos into profitable theme resorts? Of course. However casino gambling is here to stay and we now have a golden opportunity to, paraphrasing the Johnny Mercer / Harold Alren song, accentuate the positive and mitigate the negative.
We need to learn from the experiences, both the mistakes (and there have been many) and the successes of other state and countries in handling problem gambling.
I believe that Massachusetts can lead the way with a best practices model for prevention and treatment of problem gambling. It will cost money up front, probably even more than is being talked about at present.
I believe that Massachusetts can lead the way with a best practices model for prevention and treatment of problem gambling. It will cost money up front, probably even more than is being talked about at present.
Personally I believe that, because of the need for funds for education and social programs in Middleboro, this is the greatest good for the greatest number. I think having the casino revenue outweighs the downside of the "greatest bad" for a much smaller number. This is more than an academic exercise. These are real people, some of whom will be helped significantly through better town services and employment opportunities by the casino, and some of whom will be hurt by addiction.
I couldn't support this unless I believed gambling addiction can be treated, and that in my own small way I can be an advocate on the pro-casino side for gambling addiction treatment, and as well as for pathological gambling research, and of course for an aggressive education program. - Hal Brown speaking out on his casinofriend website
Yeah, well all I have to say is Rachel and Lillian were real people too and they’re dead now. Is the sacrifice of their lives worth revenue - the greatest good for the greatest number? Not in this chick’s eyes. What I find even more disgusting than the statement up above is the fact that the intergovernmental agreement between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Town of Middleboro states that he Tribe will offer $40,000 up front to a facility of their choosing to combat gambling addiction…..from there on, they will give an additional $20,000 a year to treat gambling addiction. According to the Tribe, the lives of people like Rachel and Lillian are worth, at best, $10,000. This is of course, assuming that there will only be one family in this entire region who will suffer due to a gambling addiction. How many more people will suffer from gambling addiction in our community, in our State if there is a casino here? I don’t know, but I keep being told that it doesn’t matter because we need the money and the best way to get the money is to open a casino where more and more people can gamble.
So by all means, pro casino advocates, and those of you in our legislature who think Deval Patrick’s casino plan is the best thing since sliced bread, go ahead and argue that the State already offers scratch tickets and keno….argue that we already have the social problems and the benefits outweigh the costs…it is an acceptable risk….collateral damage worthwhile for the common good…so what’s the big deal? Go ahead and argue that people have a right to gamble and other States are already doing it so why shouldn’t we. Argue that we need the money and some of that money will go to help addicted gamblers. Argue that we need casino gambling revenue to combat compulsive gambling….what’s 4% of the population when we can have funding to help as many people as $20,000 a year will help? Then turn around and explain that logic and thought process to a family like Rachel’s and Lillian’s and tell them that their loved ones were worth the sacrifice – people have a right to gamble….Neil Entwistle had the right to gamble, on-line or anywhere else he chose to….if some people become addicted and don’t seek help, its their problem….suck it up.
So by all means, pro casino advocates, and those of you in our legislature who think Deval Patrick’s casino plan is the best thing since sliced bread, go ahead and argue that the State already offers scratch tickets and keno….argue that we already have the social problems and the benefits outweigh the costs…it is an acceptable risk….collateral damage worthwhile for the common good…so what’s the big deal? Go ahead and argue that people have a right to gamble and other States are already doing it so why shouldn’t we. Argue that we need the money and some of that money will go to help addicted gamblers. Argue that we need casino gambling revenue to combat compulsive gambling….what’s 4% of the population when we can have funding to help as many people as $20,000 a year will help? Then turn around and explain that logic and thought process to a family like Rachel’s and Lillian’s and tell them that their loved ones were worth the sacrifice – people have a right to gamble….Neil Entwistle had the right to gamble, on-line or anywhere else he chose to….if some people become addicted and don’t seek help, its their problem….suck it up.
- be the change you want to see in the world -
12 comments:
The only reason why this addictive behavior is exploited is because there is money to gain from it. If the state or others couldn't fill their coffers from preying on the weaknesses of others-we wouldn't be having this debate.
What a sad story and your point is so well made.
Anything that needs to have "mitigation funds" should be worrisome. It's pure common sense why casinos are bad.....any they all know it.
What a terrible story. Or should I say, what a terrible truth.
Carverchick, I can't tell you how many of these incidents of "familiy annihilators" I've heard about in my research about gambling addiction.
It makes me wonder how anyone can still believe you can 'mitigate' every 'impact' or that a new fire truck is worth the price, after reading about the 'collaterial Damage'.
Gladys
We followed that sad story and understood the cause long ago. How sad that a man could sacrifice two innocent souls to gambling debts.
Presenting the story again is appreciated. We don't need this in our community.
Two years ago a Middleboro resident committed suicide at Pratt Farm during a blinding snow storm in February. He had a gambling debt that had gone bad and went to Foxwoods to try to win back the money. He didn't and couldn't live with what he had done. He was a wonderful guy and his death has been devastating to his family and friends. This personal experience has made me a vocal opponent to a casino in my town.
Thanks CarverChick. *sniff, sniff, sniffle* You did it this time. You have made me become teary eyed. It is stuff like this that really wants me to stop this thing. You are a wonderful, moving writer.
We had 2 murder suicides in Lakeville in the past 5 years. Both had something to do with "financial problems". I wouldn't be surpised it is the same issue.
CC, you have done a great service by posting this sad tale about a most incomprehensible act. How could he have done it?
Don't bend to your critics. You should be proud that you posted this.
This is such a sad story, but I'm glad you told it. My baby's up at this hour and I can't even imagine...
This is the highest cost of casino gambling that we can afford.
We were talking about the post on Middleboro Review over dinner with friends and someone mentioned this post that we read when our friends left.
This is an extremely moving story that needed to be told.
Although we support the casino, we know that there are problems that need to be addressed.
You should never have been threatened for writing this because you told it beautifully.
We missed this entry before vacation, but CC, you did a wonderful and sensitive job in your presentation.
Glad you're posting and speaking out against casino gambling.
There are few words to convey the great sadness of this tragedy.
A friend sent me the link. How sad for the family. Yet another reason to oppose the Middleboro monster.
Sorry, I disagree. A gambling addiction certainly did not cause Neil Entwistle to murder his wife and daughter - he obviously had other issues (like perhaps he's a sociopath).
An acquaintance of mine used to be one of the top salesman at a new car dealership. He lost his job, went to prison for theft apparently related to his gambling, lost his wife and contact with his family, and for the last couple of years lives in a one-room basement apartment or a motel room. Even now, every penny that he earns goes towards gambling.
He knows he has a serious problem but seems unable to stop himself.
The ironic thing is that he is a native American, and he has been ruined by the very thing that was supposedly supposed to help native americans.
Is this really the way we want to go?
Sad, very sad, this casino business.
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