My Illusion of Normal - Book Tour

 

The Peculiar Case of Jean Stevens

Inspirational, Spiritual, True Crime

Date Published: March 21, 2024

Publisher: ‎Mindstir Media

 

As a retired death investigator, I have discovered throughout my career that what I once interpreted as normalcy was grossly misunderstood. I have learned that lifestyles greatly vary from individual to individual, situation to situation, and ideology to ideology. A "normal situation" and "normal behavior" are relative to any given individual in any given environment. The inevitability of death is highly overwhelming. There are some who fear death. But, little do they know, fear has nothing to do with death, for it is death that fears nothing. At the core of the fear of death is the fear of destruction, which refers to the extinction of mind, spirit, soul, and the destruction of the body- that is nonexistent.

This book is the true story and behind-the-scene look into the case of Jean Stevens. A case that would change my life, both professionally and personally, forever. Together, Jean and I learned from each other. This case is particularly of interest since it caters to the topic of death and life and how loneliness brings havoc in our normally functioning life. Since death separates one being from the other, the feeling of never meeting the one that is gone is excruciating. This permanent separation can drive people to do things they wouldn't usually consider doing. How far would you go to remain with the ones you love? You will learn how far an elderly woman went to remain with hers.

 

Read an Excerpt Below

About the Author

Tom Carman is an American author who currently resides in Pennsylvania. As a retired Medicolegal Death Investigator, he has investigated over 2,000 deaths. Additionally, he has served as a consultant on several other cases. Tom has had the opportunity to get first-hand behind the scene knowledge of both scenes and people. Tom believes in love, grace, forgiveness, and hope. As a non-judgmental, now walking in Spirit man, he shares his personal journey with many. For many years Tom lived in flesh and is very familiar with sin, hardship, and knows the difficulties of starting over and accepting death. Having been formerly incarcerated, Tom now dedicates his life to serving the underdogs of the world by delivering hope. He believes wholeheartedly that anyone can receive this hope and begin a new journey leaving their past behind.

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INTRODUCTION

My name is Tom Carman. I am a retired medicolegal death investigator. I am now a born-again Christian who dedicates my life to serving our Lord. This book is the result of over 20 years of experience in the field of medicolegal death investigation. Being directly involved with over 2,000 death investigations, I have had the opportunity to work with many agencies, including county, state, and federal. I have also had the opportunity to meet many families, see the lifestyle, and hear the ideology of hundreds.

I have been deemed an expert in the field of death investigation by the Court of Common Pleas, but else wise, I am a simple man with a love for Christ and a desire to bring others to the Lord by offering hope and lived experience.

It would be within a short period of time that I would come to the realization that people are as unique as many of the cases themselves. This uniqueness often brings light to a very dark scenario. This light brings about explanation, family reunion, and at most times, understanding. Most times meaning that things are not always completely understood. In fact, both families and investigators are occasionally left with an absence of reason and understanding. It is not death we mourn, but the reasoning behind it.

In those respective cases where there is discovery of understanding and etiology, I’m reminded of Matthew 4:16, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

From scripture, Isaiah speaks in a prophetic style. A simple synopsis in a place of the overspreading of spiritual darkness both knowledge and holiness came about them from understanding the principles of Christ. Likewise, with death (darkness), understanding can come about when we possess an open mind and systematically approach each investigation. On the other hand, the inevitability of death is highly overwhelming. Some people in their old age fear death. But, little do they know, fear has nothing to do with death, for it is death that fears nothing. People fear the process of death rather than death itself. As a result, there’s a potential for them to experience the terror of death consciously. At the core of the fear of death is the fear of destruction, which refers to the extinction of mind, spirit, and soul and the destruction of the body- that is nonexistent.

I have discovered throughout my career that what I once interpreted as normalcy was grossly misunderstood. I have learned that lifestyles greatly vary from individual to individual, situation to situation, and ideology to ideology. A “normal situation” and “normal behavior” are relative to any given individual in any given environment. With an open, non-judgmental mind, and a desire to seek facts, the truth will prevail regardless of societal or cultural norms and/or personal beliefs.

The compilation of case notes described within this book will illustrate human action, emotion, and ideology of what these decedents considered to be normal. Perhaps most arguably, normal is no more than fallacy. In no way are any of these cases mentioned intended to be judgmental, disrespectful, or a form of embarrassment to the decedent, family members, friends, or associates. As you read these stories, it is crucial to remember Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

For the exception of Jean Stevens and related investigative information pertaining to this case, all other cases mentioned within this book have been changed for the protection of both the dead and the living. These changes include names, locations and dates. The names and locations used in these cases are purely fictitious and in no uncertain terms represent the factual identity of the person, actual date, or town in which these incidents occurred.

This book does however contain a factual, behind-the-scene look into the case of Jean Stevens. A case that would change my life, both professionally and personally, forever. Together, Jean and I learned from each other. It is with expressed consent and expectation by Jean that her story be told. This case is particularly of interest since it caters to the topic of death and life and how loneliness brings havoc in our normally functioning life. Social isolation can drive people to do things they wouldn’t usually consider doing. Humans are conflicted about their mortality and that of their kin and friends. Regardless of how a person has lived, they’re bound to fall on their knees when they experience abandonment and social seclusion. The denial of death is an essential factor in knowing how and why relationships with other social beings are fundamentally exploitative and harmful. Since death separates one being from the other, the feeling of never meeting the one that is gone is excruciating. Separation drives a person crazy and instills a pursuit of meeting the ones that are gone. Norman Cousins says, “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.” Since humans live their lives socializing and networking, the loss of special moments upon someone’s death makes them feel aloof and heartbroken. Reminiscence of priceless memories shared with the deceased leaves an unfillable void in one’s heart.

Monophobia, which refers to the fear of being lonely at some point in time in the future also triggers feelings of loneliness and goes to the extent of mania. Such feelings are commonly seen within old age groups since they consider that being old jeopardizes their identity and personality. They are of the view that age-related illnesses, loss of network of friends, difficulty communicating, and death of a spouse or a loved one may make them weak, stubborn, and worse – alone. Their intuition tells them that they are no longer helpful to society and thus feel trapped in destructive thoughts involving death and isolation.