Recently, to try to maintain some objectivity, I have analyzed the behavior of the main cast of characters. I wanted to try to find plausible reasons why certain actions were done, and perhaps why I might be focusing too much on one outcome.
The one thing I keep thinking that helps me come to a basic understanding of the H family's behavior is the 5 stages of grief. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance are the typical stages one goes through when experiencing grief or loss. They do not occur in any particular order and certainly can be experienced differently from one person to the next.
It would appear they have been cycling through the first four and unable to reach acceptance. Honestly, maintaining the bare minimum of what is considered sane in a situation like this must be difficult. Their daughter missing, the denial about the eventual outcome and who might be responsible appeared to be constantly with them. While WH seemed certain something bad happened, the rest seemed less inclined to entertain that thought.
Anger towards those who would question the family's behavior was one of the more obvious stages exhibited. Examples are seen in JH's public outrage with WTKR, KH's interview on GMA blasting police, friends of AJ in constant social media battles, and WH's distain towards those who would question his past and his reckless manner of accusing others.
Avoiding feelings of helplessness and vulnerability while trying to maintain control are linked to the bargaining phase. In an odd way, WH's b&e could be seen as a way to try and take control. "I'll find who took her, I'll bring her home." The fundraising and constant posting of other missing person flyers fit here as well. "I'll help others and perhaps I'll be rewarded with a positive outcome."
And finally comes depression. I would imagine it is the buffer between the other 3 stages in this case. Anger brings Despair...which brings Denial...which brings more despair...which brings bargaining and so on in no particular order.
This is my opinion. Honestly I am not sold on what I just wrote, but I wanted a counter argument to the theory that most of us subscribe to. I was not seeing a viable explanation in any posts so I challenged myself to find a legitimate way to explain lots of questionable behavior. Not everyone is brought up in a supportive and nurturing environment that can help a person to cultivate the mental strength required to experience these stages in a healthy manner. That variable makes it (at the very least) possible that all this weird behavior is just a family trying to grieve.
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/000617
For the sake of brevity I focused on their behavior prior to AJ being found and left out his sister entirely.
