A Pristine Suicide

by Bart J. Allen

Squarely in the heart of America, Salina, Kansas is a pretty safe place to have kids. At least, that's what they say. But some places in Kansas are safer than others. The Allens found out the hard way. In the case of the death of their oldest son, seventeen-year-old Destry Greer Allen, they did what nobody else would do to find out the truth about what really happened to him that late night in June of 2004. Originally ruled a textbook suicide, an independent investigation by the Allens discovered it was anything but. Seven years later, Destry's case is still open - an unsolved suicide. What happens when the system intended to protect citizens at the most vulnerable times in their lives not only turns its back, but goes out of its way to wrong them? What happens when the professionals, who citizens trust and depend on to take care of them, go after them instead, to teach them a lesson? The Allens found out.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2011

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detail investigation in the death of a young man. The book needs a professional edit. Learned about this book from a story on a Wichita t. v. station.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not particularly into True Crime stories, but I read this for a book club and I have to say that I found it to be a deeply compelling examination of grief. Mr. Allen has experienced the worst thing in the world, losing a child, and is suffering was exacerbated by two additional injustices: the complete unwillingness of the police to do literally anything, and the feeling that "the wrong kid died," which is ne'r do well nephew still roaming the earth.

The identity of Destry's killer isn't the story here. The story is about how a father copes with his son's death. Men are often driven to fix things, right wrongs, and search for explanations. Mr. Allen was motivated to do the same thing, but he received no support from his community, and in fact was brushed off by incompetent local officials. It's heartbreaking, and yet Mr. Allen tells his story with a matter-of-factness that appears to be all business, not personal. But as we know, it's never just business.

My heart goes out to the Allen family. May they find peace.

[Kaitlyn Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting perspective of a Man who lost his son to "suicide" despite evidence that proves otherwise. Bart Allen tells you the story of his own son. Located close to home, in Salina, Kansas, Bart goes to explain the lies, cover-ups, and illegal actions taken by the local police and Sheriff's department to sweep this homicide under the rug and declare it as a suicide. Evidence points to a close family member, however, the case is still open without ever knowing officially who killed Destroy Allen.

[Preston Hooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salina Pigs Suck.

[Shari L. Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Opening

A very excellent read. My heart goes to the Allen family. As a Salina citizen it sure made me look at things differently.

[Rinke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the being but towards the end it gets very obtuse. I hope that eventually there will be a sequel so we know what happens if anything. Good book to read if you are from Salina.