On Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Charlie needed to check on Papa, cut the grass, and get the new caregiver set up so he left for home.
I was with Mary Grace until someone came to stay with her so I could run a few errands. I went to file a police report about the many missing items from the house and talked to Police Chief Price about John Brooks’ missing vehicles. He said he would check for me but of course did not know where they were.
I then learned from Chief Price the post office personnel had identified Cami as the person who picked up the mail the previous Friday. Chief Price said Officer Lightsey would work up a warrant on Wednesday for Cami’s arrest. Please understand the mail was an important piece of putting this puzzle together.
I was able to find out what insurance company John Brooks used and went there to get the vehicle identification numbers. I learned the insurance on the Mercedes had been cancelled months ago, and I cancelled insurance on the truck. Later that day, I was told by a friend that John Brooks vehicles had been spotted at Tyler’s grandmother’s house, so I actually drove by there to see for myself, and sure enough they were.
While all this is going on I also had one more thing on my plate: trying to get renters out of our Woodstock house, located down the road from where Mary Grace was staying, so I also paid them a visit. (Needless to say I was stressed and busy)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
I stayed with Mary Grace, and we drove to Centreville to get copies of property deeds and maps. I was glad to find out that the property was still in her name. Of course, if it had not been, it still would belong to her since she was John Brooks only heir.
A representative from DHRS came to see Mary Grace later that day to inspect her current living conditions. He also needed to visit her home, so I took him and Mary Grace to the house “in the woods.” Mary Grace did not mention wanting to get out of the car and go in, and after being greeted by all the dogs, He also opted out. Satisfied he reported everything was good and he could tell we had Mary Grace’s best interest in mind.
When I told Mary Grace the house had fleas, she remarked, “I don’t doubt it with all the dogs.” Her healthcare providers told me Mary Grace would have fleas on her and once had a tick. They shared more stories that would break your heart. On one visit Mary Grace was found sitting on the porch eating pudding with her fingers. I assume John Brooks had the kitchen locked, as I recall it was locked when we got there. I guess she had the pudding in her bedroom and he most likely kept snacks in there for her. I believe the kitchen was probably locked so Mary Grace would not see the whiskey bottles and of course for her safety. They also reported in the winter her feet would be so cold they would not be able to wash them. So sad.
Mary Grace never mentions going back home, never asks about the house or the dogs, and never asks to go to the cemetery. I took her to the cemetery a few days after the burial, but she did not get out of the car. We ask her every so often, and she says, “There is nothing I can do there, no need to go.” After I was financially able to buy John’s headstone, I showed her pictures and she said “I really appreciate you getting that and I know John Brooks would too”.
What bothers Mary Grace the most is the fact that John Brooks committed suicide. She says, “I don’t understand why he didn’t want to live. I told him every day how much I loved him.” When she was in the hospital, she remarked, “If I knew John Brooks didn’t want to live, I would have hogtied him and got him help.” Once when I was with her, she told me the doctor told her there was nothing she could have done, once he had made up his mind. She will remark now and then, I would not bring John Brooks back because he would just do it again.
Wow, I can go all over the place with this story. John Brooks said to me years ago that as soon as something happened to his mom, he had a bullet with his name on it. I am attaching the email to that effect.
I have always heard that the people who talk about suicide will not follow through. Well, that theory does not hold water.
At the end, I will share my thoughts on what I think happened the night of June 22, 2015.
Ok–Let’s keep talking!
Reta
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