Yesterday I expressed in mild, respectful and polite terms our family’s concerns that the investigation into Henry’s death was perhaps not being pursued as vigorously as it could be by the authorities. We have felt that way since the day he was admitted to the hospital with injuries from a physical assault and a drug overdose, as well as severe brain damage from the fact that those who watched him OD declined to call 911 for hours, even as he became unconscious and began aspirating his own vomit.
I am disappointed that since that time, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office chose to release a statement in response to media coverage of Henry’s death in which they stated that the “preliminary investigation shows no evidence of homicide as a result of an assault.”
As a mother who has lost a child, it is certainly tempting to get into a point by point refutation of KCSO’s statement; I won’t do this however, because I do not wish to sully or interfere with their ongoing investigation. Suffice it to say, however, that the “preliminary investigation” to which they refer has been extremely disappointing at this point despite my own active efforts in following leads, talking extensively with witnesses, and BEGGING authorities to follow leads I’ve provided. Let me also say that as I sit here next to my dead son’s medical records that refer to “assault,” “skull fracture,” closed head injury,” etc it’s hard for me to understand reasoning that assumes at this point that the assault he DID experience in the 24 hours preceding his ER admission has no relevance to their investigation.
The circumstances of Henry’s death are admittedly complex from a medical and investigatory standpoint. It’s not as cut and dried as if someone had shot him or stabbed him. The circumstances involve a number of discrete medical factors and activity by sveral different individals, EACH of which must be fully investigated before any conclusions – preliminary or otherwise – can be reached. I respect that this is a difficult and time consuming process for the officers involved, and I hope and expect that they will do the very best job they can going forward. It is extremely tempting to share everything our family knows about the 24 hour period before Henry was taken nearly lifeless to UT Medical Center that day. If I shared these details publicly at this time, however, it would make the investigators’ jobs more difficult and perhaps sully the criminal charges we expect to arise. But it’s hard not to tell people what we know when KCSO is releasing statements like the one they put out yesterday.
Let me be clear: ALL WE WANT IS A TRULY THOROUGH, SKILLED AND COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION. The outcome isn’t up to us. We are not demanding arrests or convictions. We are asking for a really top-notch investigation by professionals who seem to care what really happened. I will not rest until I feel confident that every lead has been followed to its completion. I understand that my son’s addiction and the behaviors around that addiction will be exposed fully by such an investigation. We have made it clear to the investigator that we understand and accept this. Henry’s addiction did not define him, and at 18, any poor choices he had made were ones from which he could have recovered amd moved away from.
My son was not a throwaway addict. He was a special, brilliant, loving son, big brother, cousin, nephew, grandson and friend. Please know that.
If any members of the media would like to discuss this case with our family, which we encourage, please contact our attorney. Don Bosch.
UPDATE: Thanks to Les Jones for blogging about Henry’s case today.
UPDATE: In response to some commenters on the stories about Henry in various news outlets today, I want to clear something up once and for all regarding the issue of why Henry did not “provide a statement” to investigators during the 38 days he was hospitalized before his death.
For the record, following his admittance to the ER on April 27th, my son was never again able to speak more than 2-3 words – and that took terrific effort. “Doing better” for him meant a two week period in the middle of his 38 day ordeal when he was moved from UT to St. Mary’s neurological rehabilitation unit, still unable to walk, communicate clearly or feed himself. He could not read or write. This was indeed an “improvement” from the two previous weeks when he was close to death. Unfortunately, his brain injury then deteriorated further and he was readmitted to UT’s ICU from St. Mary’s, where he died on Monday, speechless and voiceless. My son was never capable of giving a meaningful statement – written or verbal – to anyone following his admittance to the hospital on April 27; his brain injury was too severe and any one of his neurologists would (and will) confirm this. However, if it meant getting some progress on an investigation, we were certainly willing to have the KCSO come and try to talk to him, as I clearly told the KCSO investigator after he told me that unless Henry could speak directly to him, then “there is no victim.” After he told me that, I told him to come immediately, any time. I knew he wouldn’t be able to have a meaningful conversation with Henry, who was barely able to speak, but I didn’t want the investigators saying we were preventing them from speaking to Henry. We (it was his doctor’s idea) even offered to have a speech therapist present to try to help facilitate the interview to the extent it could help KCSO in their investigation. No one ever came to talk with him in those 38 days, although I do believe the detective came by the hospital one time while Henry was away from his room having an MRI. He never returned.
115 Responses to “UPDATED: Disappointing”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Deanna, if you want 100% agreement, don’t write a blog.
Dear Katie
I am so sorry for what has happened, and continues to happen, to your family.
From time to time in my job as an RN, I take care of patients who are addicted to legal and/or illegal substances. There is an incredible stigma attached to addiction, as you are too painfully aware. For many people, the very word, “addict”, seems to overshadow all other aspects of the patient’s humanity.
I want you to know that part of your beautiful son’s legacy is my renewed commitment to treating each and every patient with dignity, compassion, and respect. I will see Henry’s beautiful heart in each and every one of them, and I will remember that there are hurting family members who still love them.
Peace and love to all of you.
I am so glad to know that Don Bosch is your lawyer. I hope he does a good job for you. He is a long-time friend of our family. I want to bring flowers for you – my blue hydrangeas are especially spectacular this year.
Agrees With Rachel,
I never said 100% agreement, I said 100% support … In the face of an unimaginable tragedy. Big, big difference.
This is neither the time or place to kick someone when they’re already down. What possible good comes of doing that? Karma is a capricious bitch. Hopefully you wll never have to walk in Katie’s shoes and get kicked in the face by people who are uninformed and needlessly judgmental and who should know better.
I won’t engage you further.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Department has had more than a month to investigate the attack on Henry. That would seem to be enough time WERE IT THEIR PRIORITY to hold the attackers responsible. What parent would NOT be impatient with that level of service? Law enforcement should not be picking and choosing the cases it deems are worthy of response. That is not their role. I am outraged that they feel justified in ignoring this crime.
Katie, I am so very, very sorry for your family’s pain and the tragic loss of your beautiful son. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for courageously sharing your story.
how the hell am i just now hearing about all of this? oh darling, all my hugs and love to you. i am thinking of you and your family right now and hoping that you do get the justice your son deserves. love. xoxo
Keep kicking the sherrif’s department in the face, see how far that gets you.
As Deanna said…. this is not the time nor the place to incite Katie with your all knowing opposing opinions. Have some decency. I am starting to think you must have some personal connection to the KCSO in the way you are defending them and having zero regard for a grieving mother.
Dear Katie, I truly think you must be the strongest woman in the world. May I make a suggestion? Write up a press release and send to all magazines and big papers (“People,” “Time Magazine,” “NYT”).
They will undoubtedly pick up the story and the police will feel pressure that the eyes of the nation are on them.
Let us know what we can do. I would love to help in any way I can. Last night all I did was dream about Henry. He, through your voice, has touched so many lives.
Love, AG
“The Mama Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest”
Behind you 100%.
Don’t feed the trolls, folks. I know it’s upsetting to everyone to see comments like that but if you don’t respond to them, they’ll go away. People like that thrive on newspaper website comments all over the country and they just live to find the next place they can go troll.
Bottom line, it took over 40 days before the investigation got any steam behind it whatsoever. Over a month, and not until Henry had passed away. As late as May 26th, Katie was being told nothing much had been done and there was “no victim”.
A brutal beating took place with a tire iron and for some reason that has not been treated as a criminal act, even before a death ever occurred. In that regard, Henry’s overdose is a moot point. He was still beaten with a tire iron.
Everyone reasonable knows that closing in on almost six weeks later, it’s reprehensible that anyone who beat anyone violently with a tire iron at any point is still walking the streets, when their name is known and when there are witnesses.
The trolls are going to keep coming and commenting, likely. I urge you all to not feed them by responding.
Amen, Lynnster.
Dear Katie and family:
Here is what I know for sure: Henry was bright, shiny, brilliant, funny as all get out, insightful, loving and beyond special. As a young child he became one of my most favorite people.
All those who love your family and Henry are holding you tight in our hearts, prayers and thoughts. It is my hope that all this love will give you strength. And all this energy of love will bring us to truth and justice. XXXOOO Mary Ellen
This is truly an outrage, and I stand with you in your demands for justice for Henry. Furthermore, what is most heartbreaking to me is that in your profound grief, (not to mention you are also delicately pregnant) you must be distracted from coping and Henry’s memory by having to make requests/justifications for the BASICS of an investigation to be done.
I cannot presume you will do anything a stranger asks; however, if I may be so bold… Please take time to take care of yourself, your unborn daughter and your other children – You need you, your family needs you and you will need them to navigate through what I regret to say, and you already know, will be a life-time of sorrow and loss.
My money is on YOU, (along with your support network) to ensure Henry’s assailants, and even those who acted recklessly after the fact, are brought to justice. For you are correct, in so many ways, your sweet boy was murdered. And, the fact is, it could happen to any of our children!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-Olberman/100000066701695
Is this the Rachel Olberman who posted above?
No, she spelled it with two “n”s at the end.
this is beyond frustrating and unacceptable to me….whether the assault cause the death directly or indirectly is of no relevance to the fact that a crime was committed. and why does it matter who the victim is? and at what point does one become a “throwaway addict” and who determines that? katie i truly truly hope this investigation provides results, but i am fearful that it may not….and either way, they won’t be enough to atone.
I’m sorry…. I’m not sure I’m understanding here..
Dropping “everything” to investigated an assault which at the very least contributed to a death…???
What else are they doing? Isn’t envestigating crimes their job?
Katie,
we do know he was not a throwaway addict, and we do know how wonderful and special he was. We can tell by your words, and by the twinkle in his eye and genuinely happy smile. You constantly have said that Henry is not without responsibility, but someone above said it best…he didn’t hit himself with a tire iron. Plain and simple. Take care.
I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this on top of your son’s death. Please keep the pressure on the KCSO. Your son’s killers need to answer for this crime.
Getting past the disease model of addiction is a first step, and the only step, that is needed to end the prosecution of living addicts while forgetting the dead.
Police departments across the country treat drug crimes and the victims involved as throwaways. And I’m sorry to point this out, but had your son been an addict while black, we probably wouldn’t be hearing about this. That you are an AP celebrity lends a voice that would not otherwise be heard. The cost of what’s going in the broader world is huge, and for the most part, people don’t care, because an addict is an addict. This isn’t the way it has to be.
I am sorry to hear of your loss and it’s tragic when someone dies — but I have to say I agree with Rachel and the other poster. We can’t expect the police department to drop everything to focus on this one case. Plus it’s important to keep in mind that the decisions we make as parents have long-term repercussions in our children’s lives. The times we don’t tell children “no” or outline clear parameters for them, we are doing them a disservice. Certainly, your son has to be responsible for his bad decisions, but at only 18, parents have a crucial role to play and the police department can’t be held accountable for what happened. Hopefully this death will serve as an important reminder that the lessons we teach small children live with them all through life.
For those that want to place some sort of blame on the parents in this situation, I hope to GOD nothing terrible ever happens to your child(ren). No one is perfect and even kids who grow up in the most ideal homes raised to the utmost perfection are still susceptible to making bad choices. Please be kind.
As to how the police should be handling this? No one is asking for special treatment here. However the police should be handling this as ANY OTHER homicide case or even if there was a possibility of foul play. Plain and simple. Regardless of what unsavory activity the victim was involved in at the time, that in NO WAY means that he deserved this or the crime against him and his family should go without punishment. If it was against your family you would want a thorough investigation at the very least.
prayers for you and your family.
I’m stunned. To Rachel and whomever agrees with her…I would suggest that you should remember that any one of us,
caught in the wrong place,
at the wrong time
and unable to fend for ourselves for whatever circumstance,
would be just as attractive a victim to an assailant. I mean really, who carries a tire iron? Who USES a tire iron on another human being?
And yes, KCSD should get it going for the sake of one Mom with a blog. I shudder to think- are other families being guided to believe that somehow their own (imperfect) family members are not worthy of justice? Makes me wonder if this isn’t what KCSD would like Katie’s family to believe so that they will just quietly go away.
I applaud Katie and her family for keeping the dialogue and the questions going. This was a young man with a soul, with family, siblings and friends who loved him dearly.
thanks Lynnster. Appreciate that reminder. I’m done with them.
Going against my own advice to not feed the trolls, but here goes.
Since when does “dropping everything” equal five weeks?
People get hustled off to jail for FAR lesser violent offenses than beating someone nearly to death with a tire iron, especially when there are witnesses, every day – immediately or within a reasonable amount of days, especially when there are witnesses.
Including here where I live in crime-plagued Shelby County where law enforcement is decidedly far more overextended and overworked than Knox County.
Beating someone with a tire iron is a violent, criminal act.
The fact that three people who committed such an act, whose names are known, have been walking around free for weeks is reprehensible.
Waiting five weeks – now going on six weeks – for anyone to “drop everything” to investigate?
5-6 weeks of waiting amounts to “dropping everything”?
Please.
Leslie – yeah, well, obviously I didn’t take my own advice but LOL.
One can pretty much go to just about every print and TV news outlet website in the entire US & Canada and see the same trollage and that’s likely where a lot of them are coming from. Same type, different issues, when they find another one to feed on they just move on to the next.
When they’re busy trolling someone else’s blog or website over something new, Katie, her family and friends and everyone else who cares about them will still be here dealing with Henry’s senseless death, so most of them really aren’t worth wasting time and effort on. I’m going to attempt not to feed them again myself but grr.
The sad truth is that this is not an isolated case and you will probably not get the depth of investigation you are looking for. There are people (substance abusers, prostitutes, homeless) whose cases just don’t get the same attention and resources. Sadly, Henry probably got more than most cases like this do – a detective came to the hospital – and that was only because his family is vocal, involved, and better able to navigate the system.
Keep asking questions, keep telling your story, keep Henry’s face out there. Your blogging about Henry’s life inspired a million conversations that might not have taken place about how “harmless” experimentation is. Maybe blogging about this will lead to greater systemic changes about how these types of cases are handled.
True injustice would be if Henry’s loss didn’t lead to a greater gain for everyone.
Why you are having to defend your son’s last 6 weeks on this earth in the court of public opinion is beyond me. It would seem to me that the detective you spoke to is one of the mindset who has seen cases with crimes that may have involved drugs. Some of these crimes the victims are unwilling to speak for fear of retribution of the suspects. So their attitude is, if you don’t talk i.e. if you won’t give up said suspect’s identity or information about the crime, we aren’t going to waste our time investigating. Tit for tat. Well, if this was his mindset, he needs to understand that each case is different. Like you said, he COULDN’T TALK, not wouldn’t talk. I hate when dried-up detectives get handed cases. They are so seemingly cynical and make you feel like you’re the suspect. It can be very discouraging. Retire already or hand the case over to someone who’s fresh and who gives a d*&%.
I do not know Katie or her family but I am beyond disgusted and stunned at the few ignorant people having ANYTHING negative to say about this situation. I will say this- I know many children in HORRIBLE households that are some of the easiest children you will ever meet (NO thanks to their parenting!)- and then children who grow up with all the advantages and love in the world but still make mistakes. I would never dare to tell this family that they “messed up” with Henry- it was obvious how loved ALL of their children are. I agree with the previous poster- I hope those of you that agree with Rachel do not have kids, or God forbid if you do they ever mess up. No one is impervious to this happening to them. Henry was so blessed to have such a STRONG Mother who loved him as much as she did. And how could anyone think this family didn’t do what they could is beyond me– with all the therapy they got him and being strong enough to show tough love when he continued his previous habits- that is much stronger than I think I could have been. Granju family please know that SO MANY people in the community are talking about this and are behind you 100%!!!! I want more than anything for you to get the justice you so deserve for your boy!!
I want to know where people are coming up with the assumption they want the KCSO to drop everything? They are asking for a thorough investigation.
To all who don’t know, knoxville is a big city, but really a small town. We do not have a high homicide rate. So, yes, this should be a high priority. The KCSO has had many black eyes in the last several years. It is often a debacle going on around here.
Last I checked, Tennessee and Knoxville is in the USA. We are a democracy. It is the police’s job to investigate crimes. We then have a grand jury, then a possible trial. KCSO is trying to be judge, jury & executioner as well as the moral police. Sadly, H is the one who has paid and the family will continue to pay.
Much love and light as we journey thru this.
For Henry’s Family,
I am so sorry that you are all going through this. It is absolutely a worst nightmare. I am sure there is lots of question and self doubt-however, Henry was loved and cared for and sick. I see no difference between fighting drug addiction and fighting cancer.
I am pretty sure that taking a tire iron (or equivalent) to a person (either once or repeatedly) is a crime. If it happened to Henry, it could happen to anyone and everyone who lives in the area should be interested in seeing an investigation move forward. Not only will it provide justice for Henry, it will also help to protect others.
Again, I am so sorry.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Knoxvillian -
I said this earlier, but again -
I hope you can explain to me how five weeks (now going on six weeks) since the assault constitutes “dropping everything” or “immediately”?
Thanks.
Pardon me Knoxvillian, I misread your comment, having read it again.
I’d delete the response if I could, apologies.
There are certain pains in life, they are too much to bear. What you, Katie, and your family going through right now, is one such pain.
It will be the most difficult time in your life without a doubt, but you will survive. You have a great family and you are not alone. Fight for what is right, but don’t forget to take care of yourself! All the best from the bottom of my heart.
Oh my God. Lynnster, I thought you were dead on when you said to stop responding to the trolls on here. However, the heinous post by Sarah O’Connor made me so sick to my stomach that I have to respond. The ignorance, heartlessness, judgment and condemnation shown by a few people is beyond appalling. How dare you, Sarah O’Connor??? HOW DARE YOU judge another mother? A mother who is struggling with the death of her 18 year old son. A woman that you don’t know. How dare you question, condemn and judge another woman’s choices, another mother’s decisions when you know nothing about her or about any of those choices. How dare you presume that you have any clue at all about her or her family or her life. I’m sure that spewing your venom from your safe little perch makes you feel safe and secure and like this could never happen to you. That this could never be you. Because you must have made better choices, better decisions so you’re safe. Your kids are safe. So you think. You think your “better” choices, your “better” decisions will keep your children safe from harm but this story could be your story. This story could be my story. This story could be the story of any one of us. No one is immune to tragedy. No one. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Addiction doesn’t care of you come from a so called good family or a bad family. Addiction doesn’t care what ethnic background you are or where you live or what schools you send your children to or how much money you make. Addiction is insidious and this could be any one of our children so please, please, for the sake of a grieving mother, for the sake of a grieving family, show some compassion. Is you can’t say something supportive just bow out. Don’t say anything. Put yourself in their shoes — for one second, put yourself in their shoes and think about how you would feel if this was your child. Because it could be.
I am sorry to hear of your loss and it’s tragic when someone dies — but I have to say I agree with Rachel and the other poster. We can’t expect the police department to drop everything to focus on this one case. Plus it’s important to keep in mind that the decisions we make as parents have long-term repercussions in our children’s lives. The times we don’t tell children “no” or outline clear parameters for them, we are doing them a disservice. Certainly, your son has to be responsible for his bad decisions, but at only 18, parents have a crucial role to play and the police department can’t be held accountable for what happened. Hopefully this death will serve as an important reminder that the lessons we teach small children live with them all through life.
Hire a private detective. One who JUST retired. One who is invited to all the barbecues with their still-on-the-force friends. I mean like they just retired YESTERDAY. Cops turn over so fast that someone who has been out for 2 years might not know anybody who knows anybody.
Just a plus one to the supportive comments here. I read the details in the news reports and was horrified beyond words. Your courage to speak up in the midst of your grief astounds and humbles me.
My prayers continue for your family.
My word. How can asking someone to do their job which THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DOING in any way be interpreted as expecting ‘the police department to drop everything to focus on this one case.’ This is their job and if they would have done what as they are employed to do so from the beginning there would not have been an issue.
What really floors me is this:
“…those who watched him OD declined to call 911 for hours, even as he became unconscious and began aspirating his own vomit.”
I hope to God that THESE people are being questioned. How stupid and negligent can you get?
Dear Katie: My son is 9.5 yrs old — he has a twin sister and an older sister who is 11. I also have two grown (married) daughters – ages 31 and 29. Many times I did have the ‘just so no’ drug talk with the older girls. I was not motivated to have that talk with my son or my daughters until I read of Henry’s death and spent hours reading your blog. I went into my son’s room and for hours hugged him and cried for your loss. On Tuesday morning, I sat with him and we looked at the photos of your beautiful son, and I told M your story. M was particularly touched and impressed since he is a budding guitarist and the photo of H with his guitar was compelling for him. That night at dinner, M told H’s story at dinner, and my husband and I began a dialogue with the children that will continue. I am writing to tell you that my family will have your family in our thoughts and prayers. I am also writing to thank you for your courage, honesty, love, unselfishness and strength. The depth of your love for your son spoke to me as a mom, and I was able to take a step and open a dialogue with my children that without your words, would not otherwise have taken place. I am praying for you and your family and your beautiful baby who will soon arrive.
G-d bless you. Love, Mariann
You have every right to a thorough investigation into your son’s assault. Please ignore the stupid and ignorant comments posted. I, like so many others, am praying for you and your family.
Even if Henry was “just” a degenerate drug user (which he wasn’t), his death is our death. That assailants as depraved as those who used a tire iron are still free to do this again is reason enough to put all resources behind locking these bad guys up.
But you know the other reason? Because not taking action is affront to all of us who pay for these officiers, shierrifs and other law enforcement officials. Remember, THEY WORK FOR US.
I’m organizing an e-mail campaign to wake up Knoxville’s leadership. Hope you’ll join me:
• Mayor Bill Haslam, 865-215-2040, mayor@cityofknoxville.org
• Janet McGaha, Office Manager, jmcgaha@cityofknoxville.org
The boldness in these officials to blame the victim is unacceptable.
• Thomas Strickland, Jr., Director, Community Relations, tstrickland@cityofknoxville.org
My favorite word is “yet”… time will tell…
Katie, I just wanted to say you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers. The story of your son has deeply moved me, I suspect because as the mother of an 18 yo son I understand all too well how despite the way we raise them, at the end they will make their own choices. I am so sorry that in the midst of your loss you are dealing with what appears to be less than sympathetic law enforcement.
@ Rachel Olberman…I read your entry here and had to comment right away!!! Obviously you have not been reading Katies blog for very long, if at all….because if you would have, you would have know that Katie admits that her son was not an innocent…she knew he was making the wrong choices, they tried to help him beat his addiction, it is my understanding Henry had just gotten out of extensive rehab…
Katie is in now way trying to lay the blame elsewhere, but she simply wants justice…imagine yourself in the same situation, would you not want the same????
It is a sheriff’s job to investigate all crimes drugs related or not. Just because Henry had a drug problem doesnt’ discount that he was tragically assaulted and left for dead. The Granju family had taken full responsibility knowing that Henry had a problem and was involved in serious circumstances. That does NOT excuse that he was murdered by three people who are still walking free today. That’s hideous to me!
Just because Katie has a blog doesn’t mean a thing. She has every right to post what she wants and maybe it’s her way of coping. Their family does deserve a thorough investigation with the appropriate amount of time.
My cousin was killed in a drive-by shooting in Washington. He had NO drug involvement whatsoever. A man high on drugs killed him for no reason. He WAS brought to justice regardless of his altered state.
And to the trolls: have some compassion on this poor Mama. She has every right to ask for a full investigation.