There are few things that capture the imagination more than tales of murders provoked by some mental disorder that provokes the events leading to a crime. In this case report Broughton et al (1994) examine such a case.
Who was it?
The report looks at an individual - Kenneth Parks. A 23 year-old male.
Kenneth Parks according to this case study had gotten into no insignificant amount of financial difficulties due to a newly acquired gambling issue. The issue grew worse and began to have a substantial impact on Parks' ability to sleep.
a delayed sleep-phase pattern with sleep onset regularly occurring in the early hours of the morning around 1:00-2:30 a.m. followed by 4-6hours of solid sleep
The frequent fights between Parks and his wife grew worse as Kenneth struggled with his gambling issues. At last, Kenneth sought help but in 1987 despite plans being made to inform his parents-in-law of the difficulties the murder would happen on the 22nd of May.
After having had a game of rugby during the day, Kenneth Parks has yet another restless night and finally falling asleep the next thing he remembered was waking up to the petrified and deceased face of his mother-in-law.
Other symptoms involved a heavy amnesia. Psychological researchers then subjected Parks to a multitude of tests and discovered that his symptoms as well as sleep studies conducted by them showed a clear link to somnambulism.
This is a fascinating case, inasmuch as not only the murder itself but how tricky the diagnosis could be.
We humans look so decent but our brain is capable of killing even in sleeping state.
Brain is so fascinating part of body. But sometimes it can be brutal.