Denise Didn't Come Home | 2. The Memory Palace
Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written
Key Insights
Why did Karen Falasca feel disconnected after her sister Denise's funeral?
She felt disconnected because she was in a state of grief and shock, and the funeral was overwhelming with many people, including reporters and detectives, making the experience surreal.
Why did Karen feel that Denise was dressed inappropriately for her funeral?
Denise was dressed in a button-up shirt that buttoned all the way up to her chin, which was meant to hide the ligature marks on her neck from being strangled. This made her look unlike herself, dressed in a way she wouldn't have chosen.
Why did Karen suspect Max, Denise's ex-boyfriend, in her sister's murder?
Karen suspected Max because of his strange behavior after Denise's murder, including his distancing himself from the case and a deep gash on his hand that Karen found suspicious.
Why did Karen feel that Max's confession to the police was false?
Karen believed Max's confession was false because there were no other witnesses or physical evidence linking him to the crime, and his behavior after the murder was inconsistent with guilt.
Why did Karen think Max might have had a motive to kill Denise?
Karen thought Max might have killed Denise because she was trying to end their relationship, and Max may have felt possessive or rejected, leading to a violent reaction.
Why did Karen feel that the police questioning was traumatic for her?
Karen found the police questioning traumatic because she was just 13 and had just learned of her sister's murder. The detectives were persistent and aggressive, making her feel scared and unsupported.
Why did Karen feel that Max's behavior after the murder was suspicious?
Karen felt Max's behavior was suspicious because he started hanging around her house more, trying to spend time with her, and his actions, like kissing her forcefully, were inappropriate and made her uncomfortable.
Why did Karen believe that Denise's case could be connected to other murders in Bergen County?
Karen believed Denise's case could be connected to other murders because of the similarities in the victims' ages, the method of strangulation, and the geographic proximity of the crimes, suggesting a possible serial killer.
Chapters
- Max was Denise's boyfriend for almost a year.
- Denise broke up with Max on the 4th of July, leading to a physical altercation.
- Karen believes Max's reaction to the breakup indicates a possessive and potentially violent nature.
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