John Patrick Violette Arrested for Decapitating 4-Year-Old Daughter
Thanks to KitKat, Sinthyia and others for the heads-up on this case out of North Carolina that’s almost too sick to be believed. Sadly, after writing more than 500 of these stories, I’m jaded enough to believe it. Amber Violette came home to her Clayton, North Carolina home yesterday evening and found her 4-year-old daughter, Katlin, with her head cut off of her body.
Think about that for a moment. You come home, expecting to find everything as normal…and there’s your child, killed in the most gruesome fashion. Now imagine the double horror that must set in after police arrest your daughter’s father for the crime. 37-year-old John Patrick Violette has picked up at a hotel in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and booked on murder charges.
No more information than that right now, except the usual blind-as-a-bat bullshit from neighbors who say the mom and dad were a “perfectly normal couple”. (Ooookay…perfectly normal, except dad decided that his daughter’s head looked better severed from her body.) It’s unclear if police suspected the father immediately, or if their suspicion grew when they tracked his credit card purchases and realized he had fled to Washington, where he has neither personal nor business contacts.
I have no gut reaction about this case. If the neighbors are to be believed, this guy “just snapped”. We could be looking at a psych defense for the father. Or is there something darker at play? A neighbor reports that she saw Violette in the middle of the afternoon stalking up to his house, talking angrily into his cell phone. That doesn’t sound like a “dad gone mad” situation; that sounds like a “dad takes revenge upon his wife” situation.
More as it comes in.
Sphere: Related Content
January 13th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Worst parent 2007 award right here. Thankfully NC has the death penalty. But he’ll go for the insanity plea or something. Hopefully they’ll throw his sorry ass in with the general population of a maximum security prison full of lifers with nothing to lose and prison justice will prevail.
January 13th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
I agree, Les. This one would be my vote-hands down! I cannot fathom anyone (let alone the childs FATHER) doing this. I would have to think that they have to be insane to be able to do something like this, but still believe the death penalty should apply. I don’t know how someone could do something this gruesome and NOT be insane. Prison justice would be an acceptable justice also, the general population would take care of this monster!
January 14th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Greusome is definitely the key word. What a monster.
January 14th, 2007 at 11:52 am
[...] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your ownsite. [...]
January 14th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
OMG ! I went to high school with this freak in Huntington Beach, CA.! He was always a kick back pot head. I never would have thought he could do this, but then again it been 20 years since I’ve seen him.
January 14th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Wow that is extremely disturbing. I can’t imagine what must go through somene’s head to do something like that.
January 15th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Over the past few years I have found myself vasciliating on the issue of capitol punishment–that was until I found this website, PBB. I cannot fathom how human beings can inflict such horrible atrocities upon their offspring. I would lay down my life, endure unspeakable torture and death for my children. In my mind, for most, insanity is not a mitigating defense; it is an excuse for very poor impulse control; it is not a state of being. The man is not insane; He knew well enough what he was doing/did; the animal fled the area to escape what is to be his fate. General prison population will see that justices is carried out.
January 15th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
The minute I read about this story yesterday, I felt ill. How in hell does someone do that to their child? And I can’t even begin to imagine the horror that that poor mother witnessed. You’d have to lock me up if I were in her shoes because I’d never be the same after seeing my child like that. What is WRONG WITH PEOPLE???????????
January 15th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
This hurts my soul. No child should have to experience this kind of evil. Worse – the evil is at the hands of her own father. Stuff like this makes me want to build a rocket and shoot myself away from the planet.
I believe most folks are good and most could not do something like this to a dog but I really was deeply scared by this sick story. That poor girl and mother. My heart and prayers go out to them.
Disgusting
January 15th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
I live in Raleigh, NC, and all I can say is WTF is going on with people here????? I am so saddened by this story, I cried when I heard the news in my car. Between this, the Quets being kidnapped form Apex, and poor Michelle Young being murdered in front of her 2 year old daughter in November, I am dumbfounded at what is going on in my usually calm and non-descript city. This is just so awful…. I am thinking about going to this little girl’s funeral, even though I didn’t know her. Is that strange? This is just bothering me so much.
From what the first repsonders have said publicly, the mother’s grief and agony was almost as devastating as the little girl herself.
January 16th, 2007 at 7:34 am
I agree with the last several replies, I think that I would just loose it, they would have to lock me up. This woman will never, EVER get that picture out of her head. I also believe that if I were anywhere in the area, that I would attend this girls funeral, though I am not sure that I could handle that and I am a pretty strong person as a rule…I certainly think that I would consider murdering my husband, I think I would GLADLY spend the rest of my life in jail (or worse) for some revenge for my sweet baby….
January 16th, 2007 at 7:38 am
This is exactly the thought that goes through my mind from people that abuse their children. That they could do the unthinkable. My son was abused and counselors told me that death was a possible issue if the abuse continued. My son is safe now. He was brave enough to tell me the truth about what his dad did and he was only 4 years old at the time he told me. Thank God he did. Just a reminder to everyone to PLEASE, PLEASE, report abuse. The innocent children depend on us! This story is so hurtful to me, because I know that could have been my son. My heartfelt prayers go out to that little girl and her family.
January 16th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I will never understand how someone can do this, especially to their own child. I hope he gets what he deserves.
I also agree with you, amronjm. I think I would loose it as well. I think it would be well worth it.
These stupid ass parents need their asses beat!
January 16th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I live in Raleigh and this is the most disturbing news I’ve read in years. I don’t really even know what to say but that I’m saddened heartbroken for what that girl had to go through, what her mother must have felt and is still feeling, and for what the emergency responders must’ve had to endure.
This is horrific and John Violette will one day have to answer to a higher being for what he’s done.
January 16th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Up here in Canada, we have not seen anything this disgusting since Douglas Worth was convicted of murdering Trina Campbell. I have enough problems dealing with parents abusing their own childred, nevermind murdering them. This is just so bizarre. We are all in shock up here. Considering the artocities that have been going through North America lately, I’m starting to wonder if there is some kind of influence moving it along. This is just totally insane.
January 16th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
And my prayers go out to Amber Violette and that JPV gets FRIED for this.
January 18th, 2007 at 2:57 am
what? they should decapitate him very slowly so he feels that Sh#!
January 18th, 2007 at 11:20 am
And it would be perfect justice if they did… but of course they won’t…
January 18th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Anyone think its a little ironic that people wondering aloud how “anyone could ever do something like this” and then turn around and advocate for the most horrific punishments upon the (alleged) perp?
Violence begets violence people and the death penalty has never stopped people from killing other people – ever!
January 18th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
JT, what are you trying to say? That executing Violette would encourage OTHER fathers to decapitate their daughters?
Um, yeah. I don’t think so.
There are good arguments against the death penalty. That isn’t one of them.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
It sure would make me feel better, and I knew this guy personally. Alleged true, but come on!
January 18th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
When I read about this I was taking a quick lunch break and reading the local news paper on line in Alabama. I wanted to know what happened to the father afterwards (hoping to find that he didn’t actually do this to his own daughter but someone else did) and found this website that I did not know about. I could not find anything on CNN, etc (that disturbs me). After I heard the tape of the Mother crying on the phone to 911, I had to leave and go to the bathroom, because I was crying too. I read they were a very religious family and the father was heard yelling about the end of times, etc. REGARDLESS!!! I do not care if this man in insane or not and I can not believe no one ever witnessed other disturbing activities from this man. Anyone who could do something so horrible to anyone, let alone their own daughter,well he derserves the death penalty and he obviously displayed something that would have been troubling. If he is put in prison, the other inmates will take care of him. My heart goes out to the mother. I would spend the rest of my life in prison or get the death penalty myself, because if I were her, I swear I would kill him myself. How in the world will she be able to move on in life w/ that image she saw in her head????? God, please be with her, the daughter is now in heaven and God bless the daughter for what she had to go through. I just do not understand the evil in this world!!!
January 18th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
JT,
No…killing people will probably not stop them from killing others. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…THIN THE HERD!! As I see it, there is no logical reason for a person like this to continue living. It’s not for revenge, and certainly not to be used as a deterrent. Fundamentally, people like this need to be eliminated from society. If this man ever had the opportunity to father another child…whatever fucked up wiring he has may well be passed on to his progeny. This man is a prime example of a mutation of our species…and, as I see it, he is unfit to continue being a part of it.
January 20th, 2007 at 6:53 am
There is more to this story than the media is telling that has not come out until the trial comes.
It is really awful what is still there.
Please dont bash each other lets try to make sure that a movie does not get started about this little girl or even a book.
The family is going through enough right now. Why should they have to relive it again in a year.
So lets get togeather and see if we can get this stopped.
January 21st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I heard about this on the Friday after it happened. At the time, the news didn’t say how he killed her. They just said he was suspected of killing her and that he was captured. On Saturday, I was out shopping when I happened to pick up the newspaper and read of HOW, he killed her. My son and I were talking about because I got even more upset and was reduced to tears. I could tell that it bothered my son, who usually could care less about anything in the news unless its’ sports related. This “man” actually went through with killing his own child, and in one of the most brutal ways possible. My heart and prayers go out to Amber, little Katlynn, and their entire families. And as for the comments from their fellow church members that they were so religious and that they never would have thought he could do anything like this, maniacs don’t usually wear a sign letting you know that they are psycho. I don’t put anything past anybody. May he rot in hell.
January 21st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Yeah! You go, girl!
January 21st, 2007 at 8:12 pm
The death penalty isn’t a deterrent. It’s called the death PENALTY for a reason. It’s not called the death deterrent. When you do something so sick such as this, you deserve the ultimate penalty.
January 25th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I to went to HS with this guy and he was one of my good friends. I was just in shock when I heard this news. I just cannot believe that my old friend had this in him. I am so upset about this news. This just makes me watch over my 3.5yr old son like a hawk. If any person was to hurt my child like this. They would not have the pleasure of jail. John, I think you luck has run out. Good luck in jail and a life in hell.
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
When I learned of this horrific crime ,I had returned from a weekend at the beach with my two and a half year old granddaughter. Because I had been without cable or reading the newspapers for two days, when I got home I tuned into local news and heard this nightmare-ish story.This beautiful, happy little girl reminded me so much of my little grandaughter.
I immediately went to our state newspaper. I saw Katlin’s picture and story I could not seem to get this little girl out of my mind and heart.
This crime affected me in a far more deep and profound way than any other. It made me look at and examine my own religious beliefs. I believe that humans have “free will” and that we are not robots. Therefore,monsters, like John Violette, are as free to do what they do as much as Mother Teresa or St. Francis. But I believe with the free will comes accountability for our actions.
My husband and I wrote a card to Amber telling her we prayed that her precious Katlin was in God’s hands.Katlin’s picture, with her bright smile, is with me. I think of her every day, and I vow not to forget this little girl.I have prayed for Katlin and her mother every single day and will continue to do so. But it is the kind of horror that keeps coming back to me.How can her mother ever get that sight out of her memory? How could she hold her or tell her goodbye. A child dying of cancer or in an auto accident or even a murder is bad enough but this torture inflicted by the child’s father??? I think of Katlin and pray God spared her in knowing who did this to her and praying that she did not suffer. But I have to test my deepest faith for this ?
I have seen reports from the Raleigh news that the father is ” suffering” from mental illness and that he will be evaluated. They almost make this guy the victim. His minsiter says this is “not the John he know” and his wife is asking for prayers for him. His sister had advised him to discontinue his medication or his mental illness.In no way am I blaming anyone and my heart hurts for Amber and his family. But my heart does not break for John Violette. He did his unbelievably cruel deed yet was able to book a airline flight, drive to Raleigh, and check into a Washington hotel. How much out of his mind was he? Did he show this ? mental illness “when checking in at RDU ? He could not have been in a state that alerted people to see he was wans’t acting normal? If he heard
“voices” in recent times, why didn’t he see a doctor. I have worked in Mental Health for 20 plus years but have never seen this happen with absolutely no signs ? I do not buy the story and I believe that he should be held accountable 100% for the pain inflicted on Katlin. But I am worried that out forgivabl”mental health” excuse attitude will end up giving sympathy to this man rather than Katlin.
This reminds me of the Andrea Yates trial where the mother is “sick”. I don’t deny the illness.But the other is alive and the children are dead. I do question these parents desire to kill their children in a horrific manner and then have the legal system excuse actions. Whu don’t these tortured souls kills themselves instead of the innocent children who cannot escape being left with a crazed parent.I believe John Violette must be ” crazy” and mentally ill but he could have killed himself. I will be interested in what the law, who has so much symaathy to new mental illness( killing innocent children) will do with him for what he did to her.I am 100% for the death penalty for this monster.
Last word, my main focus is this child, Katlin.I say a prayer for her every day.
After reading responses, I was glad to know that there are others who feel as I do and who were as profoundely effected by child’s meaningless death as I was. Her church has a website and there is a playground memorial for her.My heart has been touched by Katlin, and I thought of her today as I was in Clayton for shopping.I don’t think I will ever forget this child. I am not a saint but I hurt to think of Katlin.
This website is wonderful for being able to express heartfelt feelings. Thank you.
Susan
February 8th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I read a recent news about John Patrick Violette, and it turned out he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1990’s, which he seemed to have it under control till the terrible day. Here’s the link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,248902,00.html
What is so tragic is that his wife doesn’t even seem to know he was schizophrenic.
This is truly a tragedy for the entire family when it happened! :/
May 20th, 2007 at 5:29 am
I seriously doubt that the DNA of the father and the daughter match. Isn’t this the state where some judge confused the identity of a stranger with the same name of the “deadbeat dad” and ordered him to pay child-support? Hmmm. Beat dads dead, ladies.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Wait, Roy – so some guy brutally murders his 4-year-old daughter… therefore, according to your “logic”, the mother MUST have been a slut and it wasn’t really his kid? Wow, misogynistic victim-blaming, much? Sounds like you really need to get laid.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I LIVE IN ENGLAND IN THE UK I CANNOT BELIAVE WHAT THIS EVIL DAD DID TO HIS DAUGHTER I HOPE YOUR PRISON SYSTEM MAKES HIM HE SHOULD NOT BE SEGRAGATED FOR HIS PROTECTION HE SHOULD BE PUT IN WITH THE GENERAL POPULATION I DONT REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTYWE DONT HAVE IT HERE IN THE UK BUT I WOULD LOVE FOR HIM TO SUFFER IN PRISON FROM YEARS AND THEN BE TAKEN TO THE DEATH CHAMBER
MUM AND DAD ARE MADE TO PROTECT THERE CHILDREN I WOULD PROTECT MY CHILD TO THE DEATH YOUR LOVE FOR THEM IS UNCONDICTIONAL
June 24th, 2009 at 2:13 am
WTF is that fucker smiling in this mugshot? WTF WAS HE THINKING?!?!? Oh I have a good mind to wipe that smirk off his face myself! R.I.H. John Patrick Violent (I gave “violent” to him as a last name because he was violent)! R.I.P. Katlin, you are safe now.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:14 am
In case you’re wondering what R.I.H. stands for, it stands for “rot in hell”.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I know this man and his family. Though I do not condone his actions, he has been mentally ill for several years now and has not been treated appropriately through the mental health system. I am not trying to make excuses, but he is very kind and loved his daughter. Killing her was out of his character and was not a sane decision. By the way, the picture on this site is not his mug shot but from his driver’s license.
September 10th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Well….heaven forbid I should EVER love my kids as much as he loved his! That’s not love, max – it’s murder.