FORT STEVENS STATE PARK, Ore. - Rockland Stephens committed a real asshole move by taking his 10-year-old son, Shane Davis, on a camping trip during one of his weekend visits with his son. Instead of campfires, S’Mores and father-son bonding, this guy fed a hose from the tailpipe of his van into one of the windows, killing both himself and his son in a planned murder-suicide.
The thing is, this guy had already proven himself to be a bit mentally unstable when years earlier, he ran away to Fiji with another child of his to keep the mother from having custody. This mother, Shannon Davis, was just in court in January in which she obtained a restraining order based on the behavior of Stephens. She alleged that Stephens had threatened to kill her, an accusation he denied. The judge also increased his visitation rights with Shane, allowing him to alternate weekends.
This last weekend, Stepehns registered to stay for a couple of nights at the campground located in Fort Stevens State Park. When Stephens did not meet the mother at the planned drop-off point, she flagged down a State Trooper. She was afraid he had fled the country with Shane like he did before with Shane’s older sibling. On Monday, March 17, an arrest warrant was issued against Stephens in Columbia County Circuit Court for attempted custodial interference and contempt of court. But he didn’t flee the country. He did much, much worse. Park officials noticed that his van had not left the site after the planned departure date, and that the pair were not seen anywhere outside the van. Park officials called police broke into the van on Tuesday, finding their bodies. A note was found as well.
Shane Davis was a student at Lewis and Clark Intermediate School in St. Helens and by the time I post this, the candle light vigil being held at the school tonight is already over. I wonder if the kid knew what was happening, or did the father wait until he went to sleep before snaking the hose through the window.
7 responses so far ↓
1
mm_classy
Mar 22, 2008 at 10:01 pm -My heart just sank as I read this. How horrifying and tragic. This just really made me cry. Why couldn’t he just end his own life, and not take his son with him. My heart breaks for the boys mom.
2
ImmortalOne
Mar 23, 2008 at 12:19 am -I can get taking your own life, as tragic as that is… What I can’t get is taking your son with you and planning his murder and your suicide. Whatever mental illness this man had, the courts totally failed this child. The fact that the father wasn’t under the care of a mental health professional is concerning after the allegations. This is really a tragedy that this mother should never have had to face… My heart truly goes out to her and the families.
3
Wonder
Mar 23, 2008 at 1:54 am -hopefully he was asleep first and didn’t feel anything…. I feel so horrible for the survivors and this boys soul. Makes you wonder if he was exciting about going with his dad or put up a fuss about having to.
stupid magistrate !!! wonder how much back support he owes (either granted visits based on he was paying regular or the popular excuse one thing don’t have to do with the other
4
Jack Shizz
Mar 23, 2008 at 10:36 pm -I’ll never EVER understand these monsters who feel the need to murder others before offing themselves. What a f*cking piece of sh*t.
5
Hippiepoet
Mar 23, 2008 at 10:56 pm -I’m just going to sit here in my pharmaceutical haze and believe that this little boy was already asleep when his Father did this. Tragic fucking story. The little guy was probably all excited about going camping with his Dad. I know I loved camping when I was a kid. (I still like to go camping but now I prefer to sleep in the van, on the seats that fold out into a bed….easier on the back.)
6
bornagainpagan
Mar 24, 2008 at 7:02 am -Selfish fucker - just couldn’t leave something good behind, could you? had to hurt mummy for all the hurt she caused you, right?
FUCKTARD!
7
Angel
Mar 24, 2008 at 10:28 am -Stories like this really make me thankful that my ex-husband is such a good father to my two oldest children. He would never do anything to hurt them. I feel so sorry for this mother, and hope that she has people around her who can help support her through this ordeal.
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