Police: Disabled Woman Apparently "Crucified"

[Bloodshot Scott]

Police in Utah are investigating the death of a disabled woman who they say was brutally abused and hung crucifixion-style inside a small closet.

"It is a very unusual, sad, tragic case," Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal told AOL News. "It is sad to see that somebody could do this to another human being. You just don't see people being treated like this."

Authorities were called to a residence in Kearns, a township in Salt Lake County, on Friday afternoon to investigate a possible overdose. When police and paramedics arrived on the scene, they discovered the body of 22-year-old Christina "Nina" Harms.

Investigators observed ligature marks on Harms' ankles that were consistent with plastic zip ties, Hoyal said. They also found bruises on her thigh and head and discovered a pepper seed in the lower area of one of her eyelids. Harms' hands and arms were completely covered with bandaging material, which would have prevented her from placing or removing the pepper seed from her eye.

"Investigators believed this to be consistent with abuse of a vulnerable adult as they determined the victim was unable to care for herself," Hoyal said.



Unified Police
Cassandra Shepard, left, is charged with murder in the death of a disabled woman in her care. Shepard's mother, Sherrie Lynn Beckering, right, and stepfather, Dale Beckering, face charges of domestic violence abuse of a vulnerable adult.During their search, investigators discovered a small closet in the living room area that contained an alarm on the doorway. "Inside they found a metal bar [used to] bind the victim in a crucifixion manner," Hoyal said. "Her arms [had been] bound to this bar and [she had been] left in this closet."

Authorities arrested Harms' primary caregiver, Cassandra Shepard, 27, and charged her with murder, domestic violence and obstructing justice. Shepard's mother, Sherrie Lynn Beckering, 50, and stepfather, Dale Beckering, 53, were charged with domestic violence abuse of a vulnerable adult because they allegedly cared for Harms last year and were aware of the crime, police said.

According to the Deseret News, Harms, the mother of a 2-year-old daughter, was the victim of fetal alcohol syndrome. When her mother died of cancer in 2008, Shepard, a family friend, was granted legal guardianship of the then-17-year-old.

"She was handicapped, but very smart. Very intellectual," family friend Marilee Nelson told the newspaper. "She was a fun child. She could play on the computer. She was just slow. She just needed help. She didn't need to be totally controlled."

A preliminary autopsy on Harms has revealed "significant injuries to the victim's body," but a cause of death is still pending. Hoyal said it could take "several weeks" for toxicology tests to be complete and a final report to be issued.


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http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/30/police-disabled-utah-woman-christina-harms-tortured-crucified/

Capital punishment, I'd say. This is a sick, sick story.

 

[TheOrangeCat]

So sad .... of course, bug question: where were the authorities? She much have been on someone's radar is she needed home care, even if that home 'care' was being provided by family. This kind of abuse does NOT happen over night. That level occurs over a sustained period, building in severity the more subjugated and vulnerable the victim becomes ... I am in no way saying this is in any way a mitigating factor re: her abusers, but surely to God someone should have noticed something was very, very wrong?

 

[Mr. Daystar]

When I read shit like this, I have to wonder if maybe the Earth wouldn't be better off, if man were extinct. What in the fuck is wrong with people?

 

[maildude]

Sounds like a cultist thing.

 

[BadNewsBewes]

Yes its sick.

So sad .... of course, bug question: where were the authorities? She much have been on someone's radar is she needed home care, even if that home 'care' was being provided by family. This kind of abuse does NOT happen over night. That level occurs over a sustained period, building in severity the more subjugated and vulnerable the victim becomes ... I am in no way saying this is in any way a mitigating factor re: her abusers, but surely to God someone should have noticed something was very, very wrong?

I would have thought so.

Some people live in their own little bubbles, unconcerned about what goes on around them, unless they are affected. Sadly those types would have not wanted to get involved and would have prefered to turn a blind eye.

 

[CunningStunts]

When I read shit like this, I have to wonder if maybe the Earth wouldn't be better off, if man were extinct. What in the fuck is wrong with people?

I believe this more and more every day... it seems there is only about 2% of humans that actually behave correctly and make contributions to the race. The other 98% are just using up resources and causing the 2% to buy guns...

 

[Jon S.]

Humans are the only animals who kill for pleasure or sport or personal gain. That pretty much sums it up! Now, as the rational and normal among us become slowly but surely a minority, and the nut jobs continue to grow and often are rewarded for their bizarre behavior (reality shows for example), it makes me wonder how long it will take before the few remaining normal people finally take a stand and say enough is enough! So often people are so dehumanized that victimization is what logically follows! Not that this was a cause in this instance, but just look at what is now accepted in adult entertainment today (come on, one has to admit that there is some seriously weird shit being made these days)! Though the example isn't exactly the same, the premise behind it is. When we stop looking at each other as being human beings...bad things are sure to follow!

 

[Member442]

That is horrible.

 

[DietCrush]

sick people like that don't deserve the death penalty....it's too quick and painless. They need to suffer

 

[TheOrangeCat]

Humans are the only animals who kill for pleasure or sport or personal gain. That pretty much sums it up! Now, as the rational and normal among us become slowly but surely a minority, and the nut jobs continue to grow and often are rewarded for their bizarre behavior (reality shows for example), it makes me wonder how long it will take before the few remaining normal people finally take a stand and say enough is enough! So often people are so dehumanized that victimization is what logically follows! Not that this was a cause in this instance, but just look at what is now accepted in adult entertainment today (come on, one has to admit that there is some seriously weird shit being made these days)! Though the example isn't exactly the same, the premise behind it is. When we stop looking at each other as being human beings...bad things are sure to follow!

Humanity ..... 'folks, we're a virus with shoes. That's all we are.' 0:20

 

[Tittyman5000]

Demons, I agree let them suffer if not as bad as the victim then worse!
They deserve to die & Burn in Hell :nono:

 

[Kingfisher]

I'm going to point the finger at the Mormons.

 

[biomech]

That is horrible, what kind of sick twisted person can abuse another person like that.
These people need some time in general population when they make it to prison.

 

[ralph furley]

how was she "very smart" but slow?

 

[busaguy79]

how was she "very smart" but slow?

Like Rain Man

Anywho.... Sometimes I think they should bring back the good old public executions for sick fucks like these! These people need to be made an example of!

Fucking back country religious fanatics!!