MovieChat Forums > In the Realms of the Unreal (2008) Discussion > Did Darger Commit Murder?

Did Darger Commit Murder?

posted 15 years ago by GhostRiver
7 replies | jump to latest

I have recently heard (since 2007) that there is speculation that Darger abducted and murdered the child that was reported missing in the Chicago area in the film. I cannot recall her name, but he wove her persona into his story using an alternate name. Has anything come to light regarding this? Of course there is likely no evidence of this, but a professor in one of my art classes mentioned that the authorities are looking into Darger as a posthumous suspect in the missing child case. I'm by no means condemning the man, just wondering if anyone else had heard of this. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[–] vulpix 15 years ago

There's a very interesting thread about this on another website:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70254

I happen to agree with the first poster, who writes, "My detective sense tells me Darger probably wasn't responsible. He quite probably had either high-functioning autism or severe Asperger syndrome...."

[–] ARH 14 years ago

Asperger's syndrome IS a form of autism.

[–] sparklegirl1983 15 years ago

I don't think he had anything to do with it...there are a lot of people obsessed with missing child cases and murder mystery cases. They love the drama and suspense and speculating about the unknown. And the fact that it was a high profile case in his town regarding a cute little girl (much like the girls in his story) just added to his obsession with it.

[–] Molly-31 14 years ago

Are they really looking into Darger as a potential suspect in Elsie's murder? Can you confirm this?

Let's just say that God doesn't believe in me.

[–] southern_hemisphere 12 years ago

Considering the timeline, his age and that it was in the Chicago area it could be completely likely that he could have had some involvement with this. Not saying he actually committed the crime but considering how personal and obsessive it was to him its not too wacky to think that.

[–] Molly-31 11 years ago

Actually it's turning out to be a pretty wacky idea. There is an article about Elsie on Wikipedia now. Everybody was obsessed with Elsie. All of Chicagoland was looking for her, along with places in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

He was preoccupied with all children who were mistreated (see the response below), that's why it was personal to him. I think it's a lot more likely that he fantasized finding her and returning her to her family and being hailed as a hero. Then when she turned up dead it was like the guy said below, he was angry and frustrated with a God who would let this happen.

You've got me?! Who's got you?!

[–] TheManInOil 12 years ago

Seems like a ridiculous idea.

He was clearly upset by and interested in the case, but look at the psychology reflected in his work. Particularly toward the end when they read out his passages about his life and regrets he doesn't mention it, and given his obvious torments over his relationship with 'god' it would certainly be central to his life's concerns had he been involved.

Not only that, but he was clearly too simple not to allow his personal issues and whatever was on his mind find its way into his work. If he'd done something like that I'd say that either his work would reflect it or he'd stop working altogether, consumed by guilt.

Instead, we see in his work frustration over being unable to do anything about the girl's death and anger at god for not intervening to protect her. His anger isn't directed at himself, but at outside powers preventing him from assisting the girl.

I just don't see it at all, and as far as I know there's no evidence outside of his interest in the case to make him a suspect.

"I'll book you. I'll book you on something. I'll find something in the book to book you on."