Dyadic Death: A Typology

In dyadic deaths, a second victim acts in consort with, is associated with, or is killed by a person who, contemporaneous with the first death, then suicides. Dyadic deaths thus include both homicide–suicides and suicide pacts. This paper describes, suggests organizing dynamics of, and illustrates distinct types of dyadic deaths. The proposed typology varies by levels of dominance, dependence–enmeshment, and the presence or absence of hostility in and between partners.