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It's true. Palfrey could well have been murdered - the circumstances of her death are at least 'suspicious.' The law enforcement presumption from the moment of the 911 call has been "suicide" - a conclusion reached before any forensic examination of the crime scene. Because of this presumption, the local police have not investigated the scene as if it were a possible homicide. The questioning by local police has all been oriented toward finding evidence of "suicidal intent." At this point, the only evidence of such "intent" comes from statements made by Palfrey, a woman known for, shall we say, hyperbolic rhetorical tendencies. Examine the numerous statements she's made in her years and you'll find as many statements against "suicidal intent" (insisting she is stronger than that). Law enforcement personnel, operating from this presumption, do not have to be bribed, coerced, or otherwise controlled: they will simply fail to investigate other possibilities. There are few recent actions on her part which suggest suicidal ideation. Generally, "actions speak louder than words" - unless you're a dead hooker with a list of important clients.
But no one cares. Aside from other "sex workers" and a few people who will be labeled as "conspiracy nuts," no one cares about Palfrey's death. Americans are more interested in debating the morality and utility of prostitution; to many, Palfrey got what she deserved, suicide or not. (Arguably, even those pushing for more investigation care more about abstract notions of justice than persecuted prostitutes.) Even Salon, whose editor is on record as stating she wants the site to be known for its "investigative journalism," concurs without he conclusion of suicide, without analysis of the so-called evidence.
News outlets which hammer us for months over white sorority girls who go missing exhibit no desire to push for an investigation into this mysterious death. Just another dead whore to journalists (including apparently Salon). And after all, some of their favored politicians might be on those phone lists - not to mention valued sources and (gasp!) perhaps other journalists!
No one cares if you're not white, blond, and sexy - and even then, if you're a hooker, well... Go ahead and die by strangulation in a hot tin shed behind your mama's house. No one in America is going to push for investigation into your mysterious death - not if you're a prostitute.
