Sleep Murder
Sleep Murder
Understanding Homicidal Somnambulism
Sleep murder, also known as sleepwalking murder and homicidal somnambulism, is the act of killing someone during an episode of sleepwalking. About 69 cases of sleep murder are known to date with several rare cases in which the prime suspect of an alleged act of homicide may have committed the act while sleepwalking.
A Historic Case of Sleepwalking Murder – Kenneth Parks
In the summer of 1987, 23-year-old Kenneth Parks developed a gambling problem and fell into deep financial problems. He then took funds from his family’s savings to cover his losses and began embezzling at work. When his actions later surfaced in March 1987, he was fired from his job. He then made plans to tell his in-laws, with whom he had a very close relationship, about his gambling problems and financial difficulties.
In the early morning of May 23, 1987, Parks reportedly got up from his bed, drove to his in-laws home, broke in, assaulted his father-in-law and stabbed his mother-in-law to death, all while asleep. Parks then drove himself to the police station (still asleep), recalling only waking up in the station saying, “I think I have killed some people…my hands.”
After careful investigation, sleep specialists could find no other explanation for the murder other than the fact that Parks was asleep and unaware of what he was doing. Highly irregular EEG readings, which recorded spontaneous electricity activity in Parks’ brain, added to the possible explanation, in which there is no way to fake. Parks was later acquitted of both the murder of his mother-in-law and attempted murder of his father-in-law on the count that he was in fact, asleep.
Possible Explanations of Sleep Murder
Although no one can be sure why some people will commit sleep murder, some conditions seem reasonable to assume. The science behind deep non-REM slow wave sleep may point to one possible explanation.
Deep non-REM slow wave sleep is often caused by an inappropriate psychological event, where the brain tries to exit non-REM slow wave sleep and go straight to wakefulness. In these extremely rare cases, the brain becomes “stuck” between a sleeping and waking state.
Additional factors believed to have led to sleep murder in Parks’ case include his initial plan to go to his in-laws house, high stress levels, depressed mood from marital and financial troubles as well as his sleep deprivation at the time of the murder.
Disclaimer: These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult your physician regarding any sleeping disorders.
