Intra-familial Homicide: Definitions and Descriptions

Although the following typologies are not definitive, these clearly specified typologies can serve as a starting point for the more in-depth study of intra-familial homicide that hones in on potential contributing factors (e.g., sexual abuse, greed, infidelity, and/or mental illness).

Filicide occurs when a parent kills their child (Frederick, Devaney, & Alisic, 2022). Historical reasons for a father to commit filicide may include perceived disrespect or refusal to adhere to paternal commands. In contrast, researchers suggest that mothers may kill their children for reasons including the inability to care for the child, issues with the paternity and/or legitimacy of the child, or discrepancies over gender issues (Wrightson, 1975). Another related term is prolicide (i.e., the act of killing one’s offspring either before or after birth), which encompasses both infanticide and neonaticide (Prabha, 2016).

Infanticide is the intentional killing of an infant under the age of one year (Friedman, Horwitz, & Resnick, 2005; Giacchetti, Lattanzi, Aceti, Vanacore, & Williams, 2022). The perpetrator in most of these cases is the parent of the child. However, some authors have noted that a step-parent or other caregiver may also commit such an act. The causes for these types of offenses are many and varied cannot be fully explained by a standalone construct (Milia & Noonan, 2022).

Neonaticide is the killing of a newborn within 24 hours of their birth (Ferdinard, 2022; Resnick, 1969; Porter & Gavin, 2010). A common cause of neonaticide is the child being unwanted by the parent (Friedman & Resnick, 2009; Resnick, 1970). Risk factors for neonaticide may include the mother being single or unmarried and the father being absent (De Bortoli, Coles, & Dolan, 2013; Porter & Gavin, 2010).

Fratricide is the killing of one’s brother (Galvin, Quinn, & Cleary, 2021; Peck & Heide, 2012). Mythology is rich in stories about fratricide. For instance, one of the best-known stories in the western world is the tale of Cain and Abel. Another example is the story of Romulus and Remus. These ancient twins fought over the love of the gods, which led to Romulus killing his brother and founding Rome (Wiseman, 1995). Although there is a dearth of peer-reviewed journal articles on fratricide, the available research suggests risk factors for fratricide include stress, conflicts over resources (e.g., inheritance), hatred towards one or both parents, abuse, and neglect (Adam & Livingston, 1993; Ewing, 1997; Peck & Heide, 2012).

Sororicide is the killing of one’s sister (Peck & Heide, 2012). Approximately 100 children are murdered by a sibling each year in the United States (Peck & Heide, 2012). Juvenile sororicide offenders are typically male and often have a diagnosis of conduct disorder (Ewing 1997; Lennings, 2002; Leong, 1989; Patterson, 1943). Rivalry between siblings may sometimes result in physical fights that can spiral out of control and lead to death. This occurs more often when a firearm is readily available. Additionally, when the perpetrator is significantly older than the victim, the perpetrator’s misjudgment of their own strength could be a possible risk factor.

Parricide is the act of killing one’s parent or a close relative (Boots, 2008; Miles, Condry, & Windsor, 2022). This term is also sometimes applied to the assassination of a country’s ruler who symbolically represents a parent (e.g., a king or queen). Delusional thoughts, sexual abuse, and fraud may play a causal role in parricide in certain instances (Perri, Lichtenwald, & MacKenzie, 2008).

Patricide is the killing of one’s father (Haegerich & Bottoms, 2000; Trotta, Mandarelli, Ferorelli, & Solarino, 2021). There are many documented cases of patricide throughout history. The risk of patricide may be increased when a father rejects or shames their child (Haegerich & Bottoms, 2000; Singhal & Dutta, 1990).

Matricide is the killing of one’s mother (Haegerich, & Bottoms, 2000; Trotta et al., 2021). In instances of matricide, the mother is usually murdered by their adult son (Barnett, Miller-Perrin, & Perrin, 2011). The infamous crimes of the Menendez brothers are an example of matricide as well as patricide, as these siblings killed both of their parents in California in the 1990s (Church, 1993).

Mariticide is the murder of one’s husband (McKee, Shea, Mogy, & Holden, 2001). Oftentimes, mariticide is the result of self-defense from ongoing domestic violence by their male spouse (Alvarez & Bachman, 2003; Browne, Williams, & Dutton, 1999). It should be noted that, “women rarely track down and kill partners from whom they are separated. Partner homicides by women most often occur in the couple’s shared residence or at the woman’s private residence if an estranged partner threatens her there” (Browne et al, 1999, p. 68, as cited in Adinkrah, 2008). Nonetheless, the story of a wife paying her brother to murder her husband in 2004 is an atypical example of mariticide (BBC, 1975).

Uxoricide is the murder of one’s wife (Léveillée, & Doyon, 2019; Williams, 2010). Sexual jealousy and suspicions of infidelity are common risk factors in these cases (Adinkrah, 2008). There may be an increased risk of uxoricide in younger women of childbearing age (Shackelford & Buss, 2000). Typical methods of uxoricide are cutting instruments (e.g., knives) or other hands-on (e.g., strangling) ways of killing (Mizea, Shackelfordbo, & Weekes-Shackelfordb, 2011). Shakespeare addressed uxoricide in multiple plays such as Othello, where Desdemona is one of the more famous examples (Shakespeare, 1988).

Avunculicide is the act of killing an uncle (Lessa, 1956). An example of avunculicide is the killing of the King of Saudi Arabia in 1975 by his nephew (Holzwarth, 2018). This topic is a rarely discussed within the research literature of intra-familial homicides.

Familicide is a multiple-victim homicide event where the perpetrator kills their spouse and at least one of their children (Aho, Remahl, & Paavilainen, 2017). Rare and complex in nature, familicides are one of the most difficult crimes to understand (Fegadel, 2014). These shocking events challenge cherished values of the nuclear family as a safe haven. As such, familicides usually receive intense media coverage (Karlsson et al., 2021).

Family Annihilation is a form of mass murder where the perpetrator kills multiple members of their own family (Dietz, 1986; Oathout, 2020). The victims can include their spouse, children, siblings, or parents (Cullen & Fritzon, 2019). Risk factors for family annihilation include financial, professional, and relationship stressors. In some instances, family annihilators kill because they believe that they are trying to spare their families from a real or imagined indignity or tragedy (Yardley, Wilson, & Lynes, 2014). These crimes invoke horror and fascination in equal measures.

Although the killing of family members dates back to the beginnings of humanity, the technical terms used to describe these incidents are not as well known. Listing the types of expressions used for the killings of family members helps illuminate the complexities of family relationships and intra-familial conflicts. This also demonstrates how intra-familial homicides, a phrase often associated with reports of domestic violence, are multi-facetted. The delineation of these terms can help bring clarity to the description and study of family homicide or family violence resulting in death.

Although the killing of family members dates back to the beginnings of humanity, the technical terms used to describe these incidents are not as well known.