The recent death of Trinidad Etong, wife of prominent Filipino broadcaster Ted Failon (Mario Etong in real-life) has spurred a lot of speculation about the circumstances of the case especially amongst bloggers and internet forums, particularly the question of suicide (which is the currently positioned angle of the Failon household) and the possibility of parricide, homicide, or murder which is being investigated by Philippine authorities on the case.
Obfuscating the case findings are the instances of tampering with evidence on the part of Failon’s househelp, which are placing them under accusation of obstruction of justice, as well as instances abuse and brutality on the part of the Philippine National Police in the conduct of the investigation. Furthermore, the recent finding that no one in Failon’s household tested positive for gunpowder burns, including the now-deceased Mrs. Etong, raises more doubts and speculations about her death.
As for me, I won’t dwell on questions of speculated guilt (whether Mrs. Etong’s, Ted Failon’s or others) here–as there are already a growing number of commentaries on this subject. Browsing through the numerous facts, theories, and speculations on the case thus far has brought my curiosity onto one undisputed piece of evidence in the Etong case: the suicide note of Mrs. Etong.
There’s already a sizeable amount of research done on the nature and context of suicide notes. Not all cases of suicides are accompanied by notes, but many studies have partly established the suicides normally accompanied by notes.
On age trends:[1]
- Suicide notes written by young people were longer, rich in emotions, and often begging for forgiveness.
- Suicide notes written by the elderly were shorter, contained specific instructions, and were less emotional.
- Most note leavers mention their difficulties.
Among the elderly:[2]
- Most were unknown to psychiatric services, and used a non-violent method of suicide.
- Those that left suicide notes used less violent methods of suicide such as suffocation by plastic bags, electrocution, or car exhaust.
- Those that died by more violent means such as hanging, drowning, jumping, immolation, or wounding, were less likely to leave a suicide note.
Other trends:
- Those written by those using violent methods contained less joy, less love for others, less humor/irony, less thanks, suggesting a greater amount of alienation from significant others.[3]
- Those written by women were found to show less intrapersonal hostility, gave fewer instructions concerning final affairs, accepted less personal responsibility, and used fewer absolute terms than those written by men.[3]
- Higher proportion of letter writers in female populations, and suicides by more lethal methods such as carbon monoxide, hanging, or sharp instruments.[4]
- Non-letter-writers had tendencies to commit suicide for reasons of psychiatric disorders.[4]
Most common reasons that people contemplating suicide choose to write a note include:[5]
- To ease the pain of those known to the victim by attempting to dissipate guilt.
- To increase the pain of survivors by attempting to create guilt.
- To set out the reason(s) for suicide.
- To give instructions as to disposal of remains.
- Occasionally, those who have committed murder or some other offense will confess their acts in a note.
Those occasions where people fail to write a note are:
- They are so focused on the practicalities of what they are about to do (e.g. loading a pistol or tying a noose, etc.) that the idea of leaving a note does not occur to them
- Their choice to commit suicide was impulsive, or at least hasty enough that there was no time to compose a suicide note.
- They have nothing to say and/or nobody to say it to — common for those without surviving loved ones or other social relationships, such as the elderly.
- They feel that they cannot express what they wish to say.
- They simply do not wish to write about their choice, or cannot see any point in doing so.
- They are functionally or completely illiterate, or uncomfortable with written language.
- They hope the suicide will be considered to be an accident or homicide. This is common in those who wish to be buried in consecrated ground or hope their families will be able to collect on insurance.
Which brings us back to Mrs. Etong’s suicide note, which I requote here.
Papa, I’m so sorry. Gustong gusto ko pong magsabi sa iyo ng totoo. Pero hindi ko po alam kung papaano ko uumpisahan. Sobrang takot na takot po ako. Aaalis po muna ako. Kasi hindi ko po kaya at nahihiya po ako sa iyo. Sana po mapatawad mo ako. Sorry, sorry – Mama.
Papa, I’m so sorry. I really want to tell you the truth. But I don’t know how to start. I’m really so afraid. I will take my leave for now. Because I can’t handle it and I am ashamed to face you. I hope you forgive me. Sorry, sorry – Mama.
Just analyzing the note’s characteristics, against the research above:
- It appears haphazardly done, and ambigious — suggesting that it was done either in haste, or in an unfocused state of mind. This is consistent with the method of suicide–as violent methods of suicide (e.g. stabbing, hanging, gunshot, drowning) are more consistent with impulsiveness and lack of preparation, however these are also usually cases of suicides which do not normally leave a note.
- It appears to dwell on the emotional disposition of the writer, rather than the reasons prompting the suicide, and with no apparent instructions to those the victim is leaving behind. The note emphasizes on apologizing for a wrongdoing. This kind of composition is consistent with suicides among younger age groups, rather than suicides among the elderly.
- It contains some curious syntax, like the word “po”–which is usually an honorific reserved for addressing elders, and uncommon between married couples (e.g. it’s a word normally used by children addressing their parents/grandparents). Also as of this writing, it has yet to be made public whether the note is consistent with other samples of handwriting from the deceased.
Generally speaking, the suicide note either contradicts the usual profile of violent suicides or the age and profile of Mrs. Etong herself. However, I’m not drawing any conclusions on this matter here.
Just saying if Mrs. Etong’s suicide note is genuine, it simply begs the further question of why her case should fit the exception, rather than the rule.
References:
[1] Suicide notes: what do they tell us?
[2] The significance of suicide notes in the elderly.
[3] THE CONTENT OF SUICIDE NOTES: DOES IT VARY BY METHOD OF SUICIDE, SEX, OR AGE?
[4] Differences in characteristics between suicide victims who left notes or not
[5] Suicide Note – Wikipedia
Intelligent post.
How old was Mrs. Etong? Maybe she felt she was a “young one” instead of “elderly”, and acted as such. I also say “po” to my wife, which is more tongue-in-cheek than being respectful. Perhaps the couple used “po” playfully or passionately, we don’t have enough data on their family dynamics.
I’m not ruling out foul play, but I’ll give Ted the benefit of doubt if damning evidence isn’t forthcoming.
I believe Mrs. Etong was in her early 40s. Meanwhile, in the studies quoted elderly could mean as young as 40s, but yes age could be contextual–especially across cultures, and this extends to the specificity of the family dynamics as well.
Exceptions are definitely not impossible–but qualifying them should also be part of the emphasis of the reconstruction of the crime scene. (Note that in more recent news, forensic experts are arguing about the left hand/right hand item on exceptions as well).
Regarding the evidence, I think it’s part of the misfortune of the case that the scene was tampered with which delays the resolution of the investigation. The media frenzy on both sides must be excruciating to Ted’s family and relations.
The antics of the police and other government units (e.g. PAO) aren’t helping either.
Her use of “po” and “opo” is just the couple’s words of endearment to each other, that’s accdg to their common friends and family.
I’m curious how much Mrs. Etong squandered from Ted, and where she spent it. Is it lost bet in casino? bought EDC at 4.50? What exactly did she do to make her fear for her life(if she was murdered) or commit suicide? By the way, I think Ted Failon is one of the highest paid in abscbn, around 20-30k per day!
Side comment.. He’s Ted Failon, I wonder why he married a fat wife who can’t even keep his income safe and intact. The sister is prettier. (just wondering)…
There’s really nothing on the suicide note that indicates exactly what the problem or concern of the wife was–the issue regarding finances was supplied by subsequent interviews with both Failon and Mrs. Etong’s sister.
On why Ted chose Mrs. Etong for a spouse, apart from the fact that that would be quite callous to speculate on, you could consider that Ted was not a highly-paid media-icon when he started out.
Meanwhile, ruling out the “po” issue should be easy enough to do–by just comparing it with other samples of the deceased’s writing, preferrably other correspondences which also feature the “po” usage.
Samples of mobile phone texts could also support the notion that “po” is a common term used between spouses. However, it was not clear on the existing media reports whether Failon has surrendered his and his wife’s phone to scrutiny.
My questions is ” why the sister of Trina Etong living in their house?”
I think that’s not unusual for Filipinos–most have extended family ties. (e.g. in-laws living in house).
your site looks “delicious” =)
hope to be your friend.
I also propose we link up each other?
would you be open to this?
more blogging, more FUN!
Interesting….I think you need to add the tag “How to…”
… without giving the readers any ideas. 🙂
i dont think it’s financial problem..i just thought that after all their hard work and “experience” dealing with financial problems for about more than ten years why would she be bothered by it too much and make her end her life?..can it be other reason???besides financial problem what could it be?why is she begging him to forgive her?what is it that she had done?
I heard Mrs. Etong invested a huge amount in Legacy Insurance? It’s suppose to be a ponzi scheme again. Anyone care to share what this Legacy scam is all about?
The Legacy Group is not insurance but pre-need, but it is definitely a scam. These people assured everyone that time deposits in their rural banks will yield 20% per year. Some even said 33% per year. They also came up the “double your money in 5 years” scheme.
To the unseasoned, this sounds too good to turn down. In truth, it’s too good to be true. No one can give that huge profit without some form of risk.
Here is the full story. http://blogs.inquirer.net/moneysmarts/2009/01/19/tales-of-woe-from-legacy-scam-victim/
There ARE legitimate pre-need firms, rural banks, and insurance companies that are ethical and will take care of your investments. It’s just that the owners of the Legacy Group are a pack of criminals.
Banks and finance companies don’t make money that they don’t get from someone or somewhere else.
If a company like Legacy is giving you 20% per year, then that means they are getting more than that to make a profit.
It then begs the question of where they are investing your money to get that return. Are they lending it out at higher rates? If so, what kind of company or person would borrow at such high rates? (hint: they’re not the kind that pays back the money faithfully).
We should do a follow-up post on financial scams and how to spot them.
Keep in mind that any investment requires a long time to grow into wealth. The promise of getting rich quick is the first sign of a scam.
Hey Mark! Ha ha. Reminds me of a part in this film:
My Q is, If some one did suicide by hanging and left a note stating ‘non-corporation at workplace and also have mentioned names of men who did non-corporation leading to his suicide in his suicide not, what action should be taken against them.
What’s ‘non-corporation’?
Reblogged this on Mindocr’s Weblog.
[…] First, studies regarding suicide notes show that when people chose to commit suicide impulsively, there is no time to compose a suicide […]