'He was addicted to a certain kind of sadness': Troubled life of American Psycho fan who forced ex-girlfriend to watch him hack her mother and new boyfriend to death with an axe before killing himself
- Brian Douglas White, 19, went on deadly rampage in Livonia, an upscale suburb of Detroit
- He forced ex-girlfriend Desiree Staperfine, 17, to watch brutal murders
- White allegedly hacked her mother and current boyfriend to death with an axe before turning a gun on himself
- Now-deleted Facebook page reveals teen obsessed with American Psycho movie; he quotes several disturbing lines from 2000 cult classic
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Horrific: Desiree Staperfene, 17, was forced to watch her mother and boyfriend being murdered
A jilted teenager who was 'addicted to a certain kind of sadness' wreaked revenge on his former girlfriend by forcing her to watch him hack her mother and new boyfriend to death with an axe before he killed himself.
Brian Douglas White, 19, who has quotes from the crime drama all over his Facebook page started his deadly rampage at the Detroit home of his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend at 7.30am Wednesday morning.
He allegedly murdered Desiree Staperfene's mother, Angela Kim Staperfene, 46, and Desiree's new boyfriend Jacob Lee Burns, 19, before turning a gun on himself, police said.
Desiree, 17, managed to escape after a struggle with White.
She called police around 12.20pm, law enforcement officers said.
An aspiring model and a senior at Stevenson High School, Desiree was hospitalised, treated and later released, according to reports.
Neighbours and classmates said the teen is a 'happy, outgoing and compassionate girl who was raised in a loving home'.
Meanwhile, chilling details have emerged about White.
His Facebook account, which has since been deleted, tells of his troubled mind, and a disturbing obsession with the movie American Psycho, released in 2000.
His profile is a mix of esoteric musings and quotes from the movie, including: 'Did I mention I'm utterly insane?'
The cover photo for his timeline depicted a gory scene, with blood spattered across a white mattress and a wooden nightstand.
He posted messages such as 'You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness' and said he was 'desperate to connect'.
Scroll down for video and family's statement
Revenge: A jilted teenager forced his ex-girlfriend to watch him hack her mother and new boyfriend to death with an axe before killing himself
Disbelief: Calla Miller, 18, consoles Ashley Jendrusik, 17, outside the home where White allegedly killed two people; they are friends with Desiree
American psycho: Brian White, seen pictured with Desiree Straperfene, had an apparent obsession with the movie American Psycho and quoted it in the days before the murder-suicide
Troubled: White wrote 'I like to dissect girls. Did I mention I'm utterly insane?' in reference to the movie
New flame: Jacob Lee Burns, 17, was Desiree Staperfene's new boyfriend
In the movie, Christian Bale’s character Patrick Bateman describes his obsession with ‘murders and executions.’
He later kills another character in the movie, Paul Allen, by taking an axe to his face.
White’s wall is peppered with American Psycho quotes, including: ‘I like to dissect girls. Did I mention I’m utterly insane?’ and ‘I hate the word “manipulation.”’
Along with the quotes, there were other deeply worrying signs.
He changed the image on his Timeline to a disturbing picture of blood spattered over a mattress and a nightstand.
His wall was filled with other cryptic updates, like ‘Withering into nothing’ on March 19, and ‘What a polite murderer’
Friends and neighbours in the quiet city are shocked over the news.
Classmate Amanda Mellville told myFOXdetroitt: 'She's (Desiree) a good friend of mine.
'When I was watching the news, I was about to cry because I thought she was like in trouble. I mean, I still feel bad for her, but it's sad.'
Neighbour Lisa Collins told The Detroit News that White has, earlier in the week, confronted his ex-lover at school and she had rejected him.
Timeline of tragedy: White's wall was full of cryptic quotes from American Psycho
Gory: White changed his cover photo to a blood-spattered mattress and night stand; it was previously a picture of him and Desiree
DARK INSPIRATION: SIMILARITIES TO AMERICAN PSYCHO
Christian Bale starred as Patrick Bateman, a killer with no remorse
White’s Facebook account, which has since been deleted, details his troubled mind, and a disturbing obsession with the movie American Psycho.
In the movie, Christian Bale’s character Patrick Bateman describes his obsession with ‘murders and executions.’
He later kills another character in the movie, Paul Allen, by taking an axe to his face.
He calls his lawyer in the movie to say: 'I killed Paul Allen with an axe in the face, his body is dissolving in a bathtub in Hell's Kitchen. I don't want to leave anything out here.'
White’s wall is peppered with American Psycho quotes, including: ‘I like to dissect girls. Did I mention I’m utterly insane?’ and ‘I hate the word “manipulation.”’
She said: 'He was very controlling. That's why she broke it off with him. She got out, thank God.'
And added: 'She's a very happy, outgoing girl.'
Police sources said the bloody incident, inside a home on Sunnydale near Five Mile and Inkster Road - where the family had lived for between five to seven years - was being treated as a double murder and a suicide.
Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey called the situation 'a great tragedy.'
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ShareShe added: 'Our hearts do go out to the families of the deceased.'
He added that the investigation was 'still a work in progress'.
Family and friends left tributes, including a candle and flowers, near the home last night.
Nancy Radtke told Detroit Free Press that 46-year-old mother Angela Kim Staperfene, who was married, was a strong woman.
Ms Radtke said: 'If Angie had anything to do with it to defend herself, I’m sure she went out in a blaze of glory. She was a feisty person.
'Angie always wanted the best for her daughter, always wanted the best for her daughter.'
Livonia is a large suburb in the Detroit metro area. As of the 2010 census, it had a population just shy of 100,000.
Though it is considered an affluent area – with a median household income of $65,000 – it was hit hard by the recession.
Residents describe the neighbourhood - full of mid-century brick ranch houses - as family-oriented and safe.
Run for her life: Desiree Staperfene, 17, managed to escape after a violent struggle with White and called the police
Quiet town: Livonia is part of the Detroit, Michigan metro area, and had a population just shy of 100,000 in the 2010 census
Disbelief: Neighbour Lisa Collins holds her son Dylan, 3, as they look at the murder scene; Ms Collins said Staperfene had recently broken up with White
Crime: Brian Douglas White, 19, started his deadly rampage at the Livonia, Detroit, home of his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend at 7.30am yesterday morning
Standing guard: The area surrounding the house is under tight security the day after the murders
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS: STAPERFENE FAMILY RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING MURDERS
The Staperfene family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbors and their extended family – as well as the Livonia community and its young people - for their prayers, sympathy, kindness and condolences in the wake of this horrific tragedy.
Despite the unbelievable pain and loss of Desiree losing her mother, and David Staperfene’s loss of his loving wife of 21 years, we are grateful that Desiree was able to survive. It is the one shining miracle we all hold on to, in the face of this unthinkable event.
Our sympathies also, are with the family of Jake Burns. He was a family friend that the Staperfenes welcomed into their home, as they have done countless times for others. David and Angela both have extended their hospitality and hearts to so many. It is comforting to hear what an impact such graciousness has meant for others, and we appreciate the kind favors you have given from your own hearts at this time of need.
The family will be setting up the Angela K. Staperfene Fund for those who wish to donate toward funeral and other expenses.
It is so deeply unfortunate that a simple breakup would cause such everlasting pain and loss. Please know that the Staperfene family is resilient, strong, and with courage. If anything in this world is a testament to such a thing, it is Desiree’s survival. She is a wonderful reflection of her mother’s strong convictions, and her father’s calm, steady guidance.
We can only hope that other young people will understand that a breakup is not a permanent loss, but a gateway to another path. Had the perpetrator of these killings understood that healing is a better alternative to anger and hurt, nobody would be experiencing anything but the continuation of their lives.
God Bless.
The Staperfene family and friends.
Ps- Desiree would like to thank the officer who first arrived on the scene for his compassion and care.
Watch video here:
Police Say Teen's Ex Killed 2, Fatally Shot Self in Livonia: MyFoxDETROIT.com
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