A Florida couple has been arrested and charged in a botched murder-suicide last week involving their adult son who has developmental disabilities.
Barbara Bates, 59 was charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult, according to a probable cause statement. Her husband, 64-year-old Neil Bates, was charged with aggravated abuse of a disabled adult and criminal attempt to take a life, according to jail records.
945638754 Barbara Lynn Bates Arrest Report by kc wildmoon
According to the probable cause statement, all three of the family members agreed to participate in the murder-suicide pact after the family learned they were about to be evicted from their Lee County home. Barbara Bates specificially cited “medical ailments of her ason and husband, the loss of jobs, and finally the eviction notice” leading toward the decision.
She said she initially tried to buy a gun for the attempt but was dissuaded by background checks and a waiting period. Instead, she bought sleeping pills, steak for a final meal, and selected a horror movie for the night of the attempt.
Her husband drank during the movie, while she and her son took sleeping pills. At the end of the movie, the family moved to the bedroom, where Neil Bates cut his own neck. Barbara Bates said she didn’t think the attempt was deep enough, so she slashed his throat again and then cut two lines on his forearm.
Then, she cut her son’s throat and waited 30 to 40 minutes before cutting her own wrists before calling 911 “to ensure her dog was cared for after they were deceased.”
She later said she was “displeased” that deputies arrived “so efficiently and did not allow a more significant time gap for the family to complete the process.”
All three were taken to a hospital and are expected to survive.
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[Featured image: Neil Bates and Barbara Bates/Lee County Sheriff’s Office]
