New Topic Idea: Unsolved Mysteries

[Mimmy352]

Hello! I’ve been advised to post this here, but given the popularity of my unsolved mysteries thread, I figured it might be a good Topic to add to Mumsnet.

The overall “goal” would be to discuss the unsolved crimes, disappearances, and other mysterious happenings in the world. There is potential that these threads could raise awareness for certain cases, but I would hope everyone remembers that these threads would be for discussion purposes only.

What would everyone think? Is it something you’d like to see?

Original Thread Here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4886377-whats-the-scariest-unsolved-mystery-you-know?page=1

posts OR entire threads

Yes, I think this would be really good. I listen to a lot of true crime podcasts and think this would be a great addition

No, I imagine there will be people overstepping. That’s why mumsnet delete posts and have moderators, to ensure everyone gets to say their piece, and those just looking to stir trouble are seen to.

I am also close to a family who had a loved one go missing. She had one news article in the entire 12 years she was missing. I would have loved to see her name mentioned somewhere, as would her family, as it seemed everyone was happy to forget about her.

I believe if posters can discuss cases in a respectful manner & based upon facts & evidence that are already in the public domain then this topic could be of use.

I completely understand those who refer to it as ‘ghoulish’ or that people are trying to be armchair detectives/sleuths etc however I think most people do genuinely care and would like to see these cases solved.

I’m not naive enough to believe that us on Mumsnet are Sherlock Holmes but I do believe that sometimes bringing awareness to a situation/event could possibly help someone/anyone to remember the smallest of things that could be helpful.

Memories that they previously may have thought insignificant or hadn’t even considered before.

I do acknowledge & respect that not everyone will agree however and that opinions on the subject may differ. I can see why others may not like the idea of having this subject as a topic. I believe it would do more good than harm, that is just my personal opinion though.

Well said 💙

Yes please.

Yes definitely!

I’m always shocked at the number of ghoulish people around. Some of the posts on the Nicola Bulley and submarine threads were awful to name two recent ones. So many posts deleted and numerous threads deleted. It was shameful.

I hope mumsnet don’t think just because there are so many ghoulish posters that will support this, that it’s a good thing to have. Numbers don’t make things morally right or right for a website that is meant to provide support.

Definitely

The beauty of MN is there is a 'hide' option.

I believe it would do more good than harm, that is just my personal opinion though.

I don’t believe that. In the family I know, online chat caused so much unnecessary upset at the time and afterwards and that is also the experience of other families they spoke to that had been through similar.

I hope mumsnet take advice from somewhere but I don’t think they will. It will just be another topic for them and fuck the people who suffer due to it.

Anyway, hiding the thread now.

It’s a little bit untoward to call people interested in unsolved mysteries ghoulish. It’s not as if we are interested because we enjoy hearing the suffering of others. People find these things interesting for a variety of reasons.

For me personally, these types of things are heartbreaking when it involves missing or murdered people. I think about them, who they were. I think about their families, and how they are doing now. I think about their legacy. Most of all I think of the thousands of people who step out of their own lives for a moment to acknowledge and mourn the people in these cases. I think of the law enforcement who are still investigating years later, of the families still holding out hope for closure. It’s not enjoyment of the macabre, it’s connecting with people and sharing in their memories.

The Boy In The Box was one that was just recently solved. He was only 4 years old, and horrifically treated in life. He was discarded like trash. No one in his life seemed to care about him. But in his death, thousands of people did. People worked for years to find out who this little boy was, so they could acknowledge him by name and lay him to rest with love. People online mentioned his case in threads like this, raising awareness of his case, and letting other people come to know of him, to care for him. His name was Joseph, and he deserved to be acknowledged

Grim. If it was to raise awareness, fine. But it won't be. It will be for the armchair detectives to talk about human beings with a severe lack of dignity or respect.

Brilliant idea

I agree. MN is particularly prone to grief vulturism and posters often behave as though a missing or murdered person is part of a soap opera just for their entertainment.

It would be a nightmare to moderate because some people cannot stop themselves posting wild speculation and start crying conspiracy if their posts get deleted.

I think the majority of threads will end with posters competing to demonstrate how they haven’t slept for 23 years sobbing and shaking over a missing child.

Yes please!

As I said previously that’s your personal opinion and I respect it whilst disagreeing.

Im really, truly sorry that the family you know have been subject to such abhorrent behaviour & anyone who contributed to their pain should be ashamed.

I also know a family who have lost someone, in mysterious circumstances and they have sadly still not been found.

Foul play is suspected & they are so grateful for people online keeping the case alive & reviving it from going cold. I do appreciate that isn’t the case for everyone however.

If rules are abided, people are respectful in their discussions and actions & base their opinions upon facts then I don’t see why this can’t be a topic of discussion.

As you say, Mumsnet is a place for support.
What better support can there be than many genuine caring individuals coming together to speak about such cases that would sometimes otherwise be forgotten? Whilst being as respectful as possible.

I personally don’t know anyone who sees it as a hobby or anyone who enjoys the pain of others for their own entertainment, all those who’ve I spoken to over the years regarding cases have been thoughtful & genuine and highly respect the families/friends who suffer daily. We all want the same thing, resolution and hopefully one day a semblance of closure for those who desperately need answers.

Anyway I’ve gone on too long, I respect every individual opinion on the subject and understand that not everyone will agree with mine.

Yes please!!

It's no different to discussing a news topic. Easily hidden or avoided if it's not your thing.

Yes please.

I’d be interested, but agree with the poster who said there would need to be some fairly strong moderation.

Might also be worth restricting it to discussion of cases that happened more than, say, 5? 10? years ago, rather than anything that is more current news.

Oh it’s highly unlikely that a collective of MN super sleuths are going to crack decades old cold cases, I agree!

But the cases remaining a talked about event is useful. People talk about the things they’ve read, that their colleague has mentioned, memories get jogger and previously seemingly inconsequential memories can become more significant. It’s how it goes with cold cases.

Legalities will cover more current cases - slander and defamation is a real risk with them and MN will moderate accordingly.

I remember when I was first on MN circa 2009/2010 and the Madeleine McCann threads were routinely deleted. The parents are extremely litigious.

That would defeat the object of keeping missing persons cases alive.

Look at the Noah Donahoo case. The evidence of foul play is huge! Pressure needs to be put on the PSNI and politicians to get to the truth. Keeping his case (and many others like his) in the public eye and showing that we will not be silenced is the only way to route out the rot and get to the truth.

Yes