An unfortunate event.
My mom came to me yesterday when I got off work and asked me if my ex-ex-boyfriend’s last name was Jones, and when I nodded in affirmation she then asked if he had a brother named Bradley. He only has a sister but does have multiple cousins, one of whom could have been named Brad (I was assuming, he does have lots of cousins). I didn’t know much about why she was asking me such questions, but she told me that a Billy Jones was murdered in Machesney Park (where he lived) last Saturday, but that if he didn’t have a brother then it probably wasn’t him. However, she was mistaken in asking if the Bradley in question was his brother. In fact, the Bradley mentioned in the paper was Billy’s cousin. Then my mom checked the obituaries and any question we may have had about the identity was eradicated because there was a picture of him next to his obituary: Billy F. Jones, 25, was found dead in his home on Saturday, July 16th.
I’m not really sad, there’s just a weird unsettled feeling…kind of empty, like I should feel sad. But we dated when I was 16 for like 4 months until I broke up with him and that was over 5 years ago. Since then I’ve probably talked to him on average of twice a year, if that, so there’s not really any residual feelings of attachment. He was a nice guy; I’m not sure why anyone would want to stab him to death. He had a new daughter and a fiancé...the guy we talked about the other day with the kid. Other details are just disturbing, like the killer took Billy's cell phone and called Billy's mother with it, antagonizing her and saying things like, "did you find the body yet? It was in the baby's room, wasn't it?" There was also the issue of the killer taking the fiance's underwear and smearing it in the blood. I can't even imagine something so horrible.
I know this probably doesn't mean much to you, but things like this inevitably lead to the questioning of one’s own mortality and the mortality of loved ones. I also kind of need the catharsis. Kind of ironic how Cara had written an LJ entry about death and how people would find out...I went to the visitation tonight and there was a line out the door of the church of people waiting to pay their respects. It's comforting, I guess, that somehow, some way, people find out.
I left the church emotionally drained, moreso than I had expected. His mom remembered me and told me that she had always loved me and that I was always welcome. I cried; I didn't expect to. Things like this have a way of affecting you even though you don't realize it.
So I guess...rest in peace.
I’m not really sad, there’s just a weird unsettled feeling…kind of empty, like I should feel sad. But we dated when I was 16 for like 4 months until I broke up with him and that was over 5 years ago. Since then I’ve probably talked to him on average of twice a year, if that, so there’s not really any residual feelings of attachment. He was a nice guy; I’m not sure why anyone would want to stab him to death. He had a new daughter and a fiancé...the guy we talked about the other day with the kid. Other details are just disturbing, like the killer took Billy's cell phone and called Billy's mother with it, antagonizing her and saying things like, "did you find the body yet? It was in the baby's room, wasn't it?" There was also the issue of the killer taking the fiance's underwear and smearing it in the blood. I can't even imagine something so horrible.
I know this probably doesn't mean much to you, but things like this inevitably lead to the questioning of one’s own mortality and the mortality of loved ones. I also kind of need the catharsis. Kind of ironic how Cara had written an LJ entry about death and how people would find out...I went to the visitation tonight and there was a line out the door of the church of people waiting to pay their respects. It's comforting, I guess, that somehow, some way, people find out.
I left the church emotionally drained, moreso than I had expected. His mom remembered me and told me that she had always loved me and that I was always welcome. I cried; I didn't expect to. Things like this have a way of affecting you even though you don't realize it.
So I guess...rest in peace.