It was as confusing as it was shocking. How could Christopher Dorner, a former cop and naval officer, turn into a cold blooded killer?
We've been working on that question for weeks, and today, there is some insight perhaps from those who knew him best.
Jason Valadeo flew in from Wisconsin for a memorial service for Dorner, his friend. That's right, there was a memorial service, though it was low key private and not publicized.
However, due to her diligence and sincerity, FOX 11 Legal Analyst Robin Sax was invited by Dorner's mother to attend. Afterwards, she did speak on camera at length to Valadeo, as did another person who knew Dorner well -- former girlfriend Jodi Stark.
We have no interest, of course, in glorifying Dorner. We've said over and over again that what he did was horrifying and no one is sad, quite frankly, that he's dead. However, what we're trying to do is answer the question "why?"
What Valadeo and Stark do is paint a picture of a smart young man who "tried to do the right thing" at all times; how he was essentially shamed and defeated by the LAPD, who he insists fired him unfairly.
Unfortunately, he was either unwilling or unable to get the professional help he needed to deal with his problems, so he spiraled into depression and isolated himself from family and friends, experts say.
Ultimately, he finally snapped feeling that his name had been so tarnished there was no coming back from it. We all know that's not true -- he apparently didn't see it. Combine that with his military and police background and knowledge of weapons and a twisted sense of vengeance, and we know what happened.
The idea is to understand that so as to prevent the ‘'next'' Dorner from emerging from a toxic brew of emotions/anger/hatred/impulse.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-08 01:52:05 GMT
Three parties will split a $1 million reward that was offeredduring the hunt for ex-LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner, the Los Angeles Police Department has announced.
Three parties will split a $1 million reward that was offered during the hunt for ex-LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner, with the bulk of the money going to a couple who were tied up in their Big Bear cabin by the fugitive.
Tuesday, April 23 2013 7:23 PM EDT2013-04-23 23:23:25 GMT
Two women who were injured when LAPD officers opened fire on their pickup truck during the Christopher Dorner manhunt have reached a $4.2 million settlement with the city, officials said.
Two women who were injured when LAPD officers opened fire on their pickup truck during the Christopher Dorner manhunt have reached a $4.2 million settlement with the city, officials said.
They promised us April, but it may be May. That's the word on the status of the re-examination of the Christoper Dorner firing. FOX 11 talked to an ex-LAPD officer who's paying close attention to the case.
They promised us April, but it may be May. That's the word on the status of the re-examination of the Christoper Dorner firing. FOX 11 talked to a former LAPD officer who's paying close attention to the case.
Wednesday, April 10 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-04-10 18:18:16 GMT
LISTEN HERE: San Bernardino County authorities released recordings of the 911 call that led to the fiery end to the manhunt for murder suspect Christopher Dorner in February.
LISTEN HERE: San Bernardino County authorities released recordings of the 911 call that led to the fiery end to the manhunt for murder suspect Christopher Dorner in February.
Wednesday, February 27 2013 5:52 PM EST2013-02-27 22:52:11 GMT
Deputy Police Chief Mark Perez explains the LAPD's Board of Rights hearing process and disciplinary procedures for officers, in response to questions raised in the aftermath of the manhunt for Christopher Dorner.
Deputy Police Chief Mark Perez explains the LAPD's Board of Rights hearing process and disciplinary procedures for officers, in response to questions raised in the aftermath of the manhunt for fired Officer Christopher Dorner.
Saturday, February 23 2013 1:59 AM EST2013-02-23 06:59:27 GMT
Nothing can excuse the murders of innocent people. But dozens of current and former Police Officers say that the allegations Dorner posted in his online "manifesto" about the LAPD rang true.
Nothing can excuse the murders of innocent people. But dozens of current and former Police Officers say that the allegations Dorner posted in his online "manifesto" about the LAPD rang true. Allegations of racism, and a code of silence that protects bad cops.
Monday, February 18 2013 3:12 PM EST2013-02-18 20:12:00 GMT
Here are the key events involving Christopher Dorner.
Here are the key events involving Christopher Dorner, the fired Los Angeles police officer suspected of killing at least four people including a police officer in Southern California and a deputy in San Bernardino County, and posting a manifesto on Facebook.
Los Angeles & SoCal NewsLos Angeles & SoCal NewsMore>>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:05 GMT
Plastic grocery bags would become a thing of the past in Los Angeles under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council, which will cast a final vote next week.
Plastic grocery bags would become a thing of the past in Los Angeles under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council, which will cast a final vote next week that would make the city the largest in the nation to enact such a ban.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:16 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:16:45 GMT
There are new photos of 4 suspects wanted in the severe beating of a transgender woman, and a new $25,000 reward for their arrest. The LAPD has released security video of the attack. You can see the
There are new photos of 4 suspects wanted in the severe beating of a transgender woman, and a new $25,000 reward for their arrest. The LAPD has released security video of the attack. You can see the transgender woman walking on a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard near Ivar early in the morning, nearly three weeks ago.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:38:54 GMT
By all accounts, Ramon and Janet Barreto are an odd couple, both physically and mentally, and you need to know what they look like to be on the lookout for them.
By all accounts, Ramon and Janet Barreto are an odd couple, both physically and mentally. The physical part only matters here because we are talking about a couple on the run, fugitives and you need to know what they look like to be on the lookout for them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:19:32 GMT
The Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center have joined aquatic facilities around the world to break the world record for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson on Tuesday.
The Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center have joined aquatic facilities around the world to break the world record for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson on Tuesday.
A Southern California surfer who was shot at by Torrance police during the manhunt for rogue ex-cop Christopher Dorner has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles suburb and its police department.
A Southern California surfer who was shot at by Torrance police during the manhunt for rogue ex-cop Christopher Dorner has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles suburb and its police department.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:34 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:34:39 GMT
Walter Lee Williams, a former California professor is wanted for the alleged sexual exploitation of children and traveling abroad to engage in illicit sex acts with children.
Walter Lee Williams, a former California professor is wanted for the alleged sexual exploitation of children and traveling abroad to engage in illicit sex acts with children.
A 15-year-old girl got a lesson in intolerance from a TSA agent after he said something about her attire at the screening gates. The TSA is investigating the situation.
A 15-year-old girl got a lesson in intolerance from a TSA agent after he said something about her attire at the screening gates. The TSA is investigating the situation.
Jason Valadeo
Jodi Stark
