My theory

I have a word for you Captain; forensics. Using a cord would leave very distinct marks as well as fibers, telling what kind (hemp/nylon/poly ect..) of cord, and probable size(circumference). This would conflict with whatever staged method. Also there would be defensive wounds (bruising/abrasions/contusions) and matter transferred in the struggle(these killings would be very close quarters and fiber/DNA transfers are extremely common). There would be evidence under the nails of the "victim" as they struggled to free themselves. How about your premise that some were pre-hanged and then staged. Climbing the trees and handling the body would leave tons of otherwise unexplainable evidence all over said tree as well as the surrounding ground. That is just a start. Do you think no one in the town would notice someone always following these young people around? Oh, and how about those that were "killed" inside their own homes with family inside?

Also, you are wrong that, "Those that fit the profile were a) seemingly happy prior to the event". Many were saddened by the news that someone close to them had hung themselves, as well as the 15 year old boy who had just had a row with his girlfriend.

There are a lot of problems in this community and chief amongst them is the absolute apathy shown by the medical profession. The lack of emotional and psychological analysis/therapy is appalling. Next is why are these kids not only drinking and doing drugs and everyone is perfectly fine with that. During the interview with the three young ladies, one could observe a very young lad smoking a cigarette across the street. As these girls confirmed, it is a tough sometimes dangerous place to be a teenager.

And I would be remiss if I failed to point out that there are many other suicides occurring. It's just that the film focuses on the youth. As another poster pointed out in another thread, this is not the only place with a very high suicide rate.

Yeah, I know. It's probably a killer and several copycat killers. The idea is even more preposterous than the suicides. And the swing set was pretty new, most likely built for the youngest daughter.




I can eat 50 eggs - Cool Hand Luke

They mentioned several times that the people who committed suicide had past issues. They weren't happy, healthy, folks. The swing set was clearly quite new. And any first year forensics student knows how easy it is to distinguish a hanging from a strangulation. You're incorrect. Sometimes people do things we just don't understand. Clusters of suicide after an initial success are common.