BROTHER KILLS HIMSELF AFTER BABY BROTHER'S DEATH

[Ireneparalegal]

Autopsy on baby unclear

How infant died, why older brother killed himself investigated

Dallas, Texas

Friday September 9, 2005 1:52 p.m. PDT

Associated Press

SAN MARCOS, Texas – An autopsy couldn't explain what led to the death of a 6-month-old whose older brother committed suicide after trying to help the infant.

A cause for the Aug. 11 death of Donovan James Jones remains undetermined. The Travis County medical examiner's office found the baby didn't suffer trauma but couldn't rule out sudden infant death syndrome, said Hays County Justice of the Peace Beth Smith.

Donovan shared a bed with an 11-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister, so it's possible he died accidentally when one of the children rolled over on him, Ms. Smith said.

Donovan's 23-year-old brother, Brian Twine, found him unresponsive in the bed.

Mr. Twine carried the infant for 10 blocks, from their Kyle home to the city's administration building, screaming, "He's not breathing!" said Hays County Sheriff Allen Bridges.

Emergency personnel who arrived a short time later determined the baby was dead.

Authorities were taking Mr. Twine to the police station for questioning about an hour later when he pulled a gun from the holster of an officer and shot himself in the mouth, Sheriff Bridges said.

Mr. Twine died almost a week later at an Austin hospital.

Investigators think Mr. Twine was baby-sitting his younger siblings that morning while his mother was at work.

The other children are in the custody of Child Protective Services while an investigation into allegations of physical neglect and sexual abuse is conducted, said agency spokesman Chris Van Deusen.


How sad this is. I feel that maybe the boy thought it was his fault and couldn't bear the burden.

[Pus$y Galore]

Sounds to me like the older brother knew exactly how the little guy died and he killed himself out of guilt - whether he killed him accidently or on purpose.