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The mother-son relationship between them was marred with psychological issues, drug abuse, and ultimately ended in tragedy.
Their story is a cautionary tale of how the lack of love, support, and proper mental healthcare can lead to disastrous consequences.
Barbara Daly Baekeland was born in Boston in 1922, into a wealthy family. Her father was the founder of the Bakelite Corporation, which was responsible for developing the first synthetic plastic.
Barbara's marriage to Brooks Baekeland, an heir to the Bakelite fortune, in 1946 elevated her social status, and she soon became a fixture in high society circles in Europe and the United States.
Barbara and Brooks' only child, Anthony, was born in 1946. From a young age, Anthony struggled with mental health issues and was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties.
Barbara, who was known for her controlling and manipulative behavior, reportedly took a keen interest in her son's therapy, even going so far as to dictate the course of his treatment.
Her domineering attitude and lack of empathy towards her son's struggles only worsened their relationship.
Anthony's mental health issues were compounded by his drug addiction. In the 1960s, he began experimenting with drugs and became increasingly reliant on them.
His addiction and erratic behavior further strained his relationship with his mother, who was ill-equipped to deal with his struggles. She often alternated between neglecting him and suffocating him with her overbearing behavior.
In 1972, Barbara and Anthony's relationship came to a tragic end. Anthony, who was by then living in London, murdered his mother in their apartment with a kitchen knife.
He was later arrested and spent the rest of his life in psychiatric institutions. The shocking murder of Barbara Daly Baekeland and the circumstances that led to it shook the high society circles she moved in and drew widespread media attention.
The tragic story of Barbara Daly Baekeland and her son Anthony is a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and addiction.
Barbara's controlling behavior and lack of empathy towards her son's struggles only worsened his condition and drove him to the brink of insanity.
The lack of adequate mental health care and support for both mother and son only exacerbated their problems, ultimately leading to a tragedy that could have been avoided.
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