# I don't know what to say about this but I must say something. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 2, 2002, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089 "2002-08-02T22:16:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/1 "2002-08-02T22:16:11Z")
[Link](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2166683.stm). A 17 year old male murders one of his neighbours, a 90 year old widow, cuts out her heart and drinks her blood… Words fail me. What the hell happened here? ---
**Author:** ![Jojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@Jojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jojo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/2 "2002-08-02T22:38:33Z")
He’s obviously insane. I mean, everybody knows that you don’t become a vampire just by drinking someone’s blood. You need to be bitten by another vampire. Although that begs the question, where did the first vampire come from? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/3 "2002-08-02T22:41:47Z")
I guess there was nothing good on TV to watch? * * * Damn! I have forgotten to not become drunken again! ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/4 "2002-08-02T23:15:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > \*\*I guess there was nothing good on TV to watch? \*\* Self-evidently, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ and _Angel_ must be immediately yanked from the airwaves, as the glamourize the deviant vampire lifestyle! Sorry to make light, **Mangetout,** but sometimes you have to whistle while walking through the graveyard. The boy is obviously very ill. Sua ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/5 "2002-08-02T23:53:10Z")
Insane… ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/6 "2002-08-03T00:34:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jojo \* > Although that begs the question, where did the first vampire come from? Well, Akasha and Enkil, egyptian rulers, were stabbed and left for dead by some traitorous courtiers, and then this evil creature Amel, composed of some tenuous life particles that made it invisible, invaded Akasha’s body and made her immortal, and… the rest is (pseudo-)history! ---
**Author:** ![Victory\_Candescence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Victory\_Candescence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victory_Candescence)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/7 "2002-08-03T06:01:27Z")
What is his mental illness? Does it have a name? ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/8 "2002-08-03T07:05:13Z")
Well, it is damn creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Halo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Halo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Halo13)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/9 "2002-08-03T13:26:58Z")
By the discriptions I have heard it sounds like some kind satanic or occult ritual to do with the taking of someones life-force or energy or perhaps a sacrifice of some sort? I dobt the man actually believes he is an ‘Angel’ like vampire. That sounds like spin from the media, everyone has a mental picture of a vampire right? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/10 "2002-08-03T14:38:42Z")
You know, it’s funny, but it seems like whenever things like this happen in the USA, folks from other lands can’t wait to point out that it a symptom of our violent culture here. How, pray tell, did this happen _outside_ our borders? ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/11 "2002-08-03T18:02:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Clinical vampirism is named after the mythical vampire, and is recognizable, although rare, clinical entity characterized by periodic compulsive blood drinking, affinity with the dead and uncertain identity. From [here](http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7290/clinical.html) > [@](#): > > Psychiatrists are aware that there exists a behavior known as “clinical vampirism,” which is a syndrome involving the delusion of actually being a vampire and feeling the need for blood. This arises not from fiction and film but from the erotic attraction to blood and **the idea that it conveys certain powers** , although the actual manifestation of the fantasy may be influenced by fiction. (bolding mine) From [here](http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/weird/vampires/7.htm). Not saying that this was the case with this kid, although it seems likely, but there is definitely such a thing as a mental illness centered on vampiric behaviors. Quite creepy, actually. :eek: bella ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/12 "2002-08-03T21:57:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KneadToKnow \* > \*\*You know, it’s funny, but it seems like whenever things like this happen in the USA, folks from other lands can’t wait to point out that it a symptom of our violent culture here. > > How, pray tell, did this happen _outside_ our borders? \*\* Well, I imagine those folks would simply blame it on your exported television and other cultural items, but I’m not giving my support to any such view. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/13 "2002-08-03T21:58:54Z")
There is no death penalty in the EEC. Here in the States, he’d be on his way to the lethal injection table. Right/wrong? Opinions? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/14 "2002-08-03T22:06:53Z")
I’ve seen quite a few sites by people who actually think that they are vampires. Search for “sanguinarian”. Re-His Mental Illness Most of the time a delusional murderer like this kid is a paranoid schizophrenic. Note how he characterized the girl not just as a vampire but as “one of them”. This suggests a belief in a secret society of vampires. Note-Not all paranoid schizophrenics are dangerous. Even without medication or other treatment, few become a danger to others. Re-The First Vampire Forget Anne Rice. Jewish tradition has long held Lilith to be the first vampire. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/15 "2002-08-03T22:33:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*There is no death penalty in the EEC. > > Here in the States, he’d be on his way to the lethal injection table. > > Right/wrong? Opinions? \*\* I don’t know; I can’t think rationally about this at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/16 "2002-08-04T00:42:25Z")
> [@](#): > > There is no death penalty in the EEC. > > Here in the States, he’d be on his way to the lethal injection table. > > Right/wrong? Opinions? I’d say wrong. Of course, I’d say wrong no matter what the circumstances of the crime, being against the death penalty in general, but in this case, clearly the kid is mentally ill. Really, really mentally ill. He’s not just a few cards short of a full deck, he’s just got the cardboard box with a three of spades rattling around in it. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/17 "2002-08-04T01:44:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*There is no death penalty in the EEC. > > Here in the States, he’d be on his way to the lethal injection table. > > Right/wrong? Opinions? \*\* I don’t think so, \*\* Bosda \*\*. While I normally support capital punishment, people like this are so twisted I think they should just put them away where they can’t hurt anyone else ever again. I don’t know that this individual knows the difference between right and wrong, he’s so twisted. Just never let him out again. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/18 "2002-08-04T02:32:15Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t know that this individual knows the difference between right and wrong, Sorry, but the magistrate in the UK did not decide this guy was insane within the definitions of British law. Their standards tend to be much more humane than the US’s in general regarding insanity. So, he **did** know it was wrong. Guilty. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/19 "2002-08-04T10:04:23Z")
> [@](#): > > The teenager denied being “obsessed”, and told that court that his alleged fascination with vampires was nothing more than a “subtle interest”. I love when these people try to backpedal. A subtle interest that led him to bite one person and murder another. Yeahright. ---
**Author:** ![tisiphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tisiphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tisiphone)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2002, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089/20 "2002-08-05T01:35:52Z")
Out of respect for the Boards (and I might get in trouble…), and whatnot, I won’t give a direct link, but if you’re truly interested, google the name Richard Trenton Chase. The article at Crimelibrary talks about his development into the Vampire of Sacramento. Basically, he was a paranoid schizophrenic who was convinced his blood was turning to powder, and drinking blood was the only way to help. The interesting part to this is that it highlights some of the issues facing the mental health profession in dealing with these people amidst massive cutbacks. This guy was a wingnut of the highest order. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-to-say-about-this-but-i-must-say-something/122089.md?page=2)