The 'who' is known, but the 'why' remains

What words can describe the emotional roller coaster the residents of Cherokee County — and especially the families of the victims — have been on for the past week.

When the news of the murder of Kline Cash on June 27 spread, little did anyone realize it was the beginning of a terror-filled week for most Cherokeeans and even some who live in surrounding areas.

Yes, terror. By its very definition that is exactly what many of us have experienced since Patrick Burris claimed his second and third victims — Hazel Linder and her daughter, Gena Parker — four days after he killed Cash.

Terror: a cause of anxiety, worry.

That's exactly what was being felt in this county, especially by the females after authorities announced the killer was targeting women.

Terror: a state of intense fear.

That's what the anxiety and worry turned into after Burris claimed his fourth and fifth victims — Stephen Tyler and his daughter Abby.

During the nine days that elapsed from the Cash murder to Burris being shot and killed in Gastonia, paranoia struck this county of 55,000 souls. Guns were purchased and carried by those who have never owned or fired one in their life. Doors in homes and businesses that normally are left open were locked. Outside security lights burned brightly throughout the night. Law enforcement officers were seemingly everywhere — on every highway and byway. Those who did venture out studied every face and vehicle they saw in search of the man who had been dubbed a "serial killer" by Sheriff Bill Blanton.

I suppose rumors are a natural byproduct of fear. I need not list the ones I heard, for I've no doubt you heard them, too. And probably some I haven't. The strange events that accompanied these murders, such as the car chase and suicide Thursday evening shortly after the Tyler murders and the body found in downtown Gaffney, added fuel to the fire.

The lack of details provided by investigators stoked those fires even more. The sheriff explained that certain details — details that only the killer would know — must be kept from the public to prevent false confessions. We in the media understand that, but now that "they've got their man" it's time for those details to be released so the rumors can be replaced with facts.

The television, radio, and newspaper reporters from all over the region, state and even the country are packing their bags and heading for the next "big" story.

The people around the world (yes, WORLD) who watched, listened and read their stories will be fixated on that "big" story, whatever it is and wherever it happens.

The residents of this county, however, will be talking about it for weeks, maybe years, to come. Some of us may never see our lives return to "normal" — a feeling of relative safety we enjoyed before Saturday, June 27, when we could walk outside our homes without looking over our shoulders.

During the coverage of this case, a lot of media attention has been given to another serial murder that occurred in Cherokee County in the late 1960s. I suppose that's only natural, but we chose not to re-hash that terrifying week when four women were killed by the "Gaffney Strangler," Leroy Martin. What's the point? Except for the fear factor, the cases are not even remotely similar.

Those of us who were living in Gaffney at the time seldom, if ever, think about the "Strangler" and maybe in time this tragedy will be a faded memory.

The intense pain of sadness felt by friends and families over the loss of loved ones will take much, much longer to subside.

It is impossible for us to understand what those families are feeling. The death of a loved one is always accompanied by grief, sadness and sorrow. The circumstances in this case magnify those emotions, especially so for the youngest victim, 15-year-old Abby Tyler.

To get a better understanding of her short life and how she impacted others, read the comments from her friends on Page 1B in today's paper. Keep your tissue handy.

We are all struggling to comprehend the reason behind these murders.

Why?

Why did Kline Cash, Gena Linder Parker, Hazel Linder, Stephen Tyler and Abby Tyler have to die in such a heinous manner?

Why?

That's the one question none of the evidence in this case can ever answer. We will never understand why this happened.

Evil cannot be understood.

Cody Sossamon (cody@gaffneyledger.com) is publisher of The Gaffney Ledger.