ABSTRACT
A psychological autopsy was conducted as part of the review. A psychological autopsy involves an analysis of available data and evidence, such as personal documents, reports, electronic mail, and third-party interviews to understand the reasons and dynamics underlying a tragedy. Homicide-suicide is a complex and multi-determined event. People are naturally perplexed, stressed, confused and overwhelmed when they are confronted by a homicide-suicide. These thoughts and feelings are especially true in the tragic David Lucio/Kelly Johnson homicide-suicide, both well-known and respected senior police officers. Police officers are no different from society at large in facing problems in regards to mental health. There were a number of contributing factors in the Lucio/Johnson homicide-suicide: emotional disturbance, historical stressors, stress, alcohol abuse, and the availability of a firearm. The electronic mail was very desperate in nature, requesting that David Lucio and Kelly Johnson reconcile under whatever terms David Lucio would find acceptable.
