On December 9, 1985, Dale Burr, a farmer in Hills, Iowa, killed his wife, his banker & a neighbour before killing himself. This story investigates the conditions that may have precipitated these events. The story was often portrayed as an outgrowth of the national farm crisis in the USA. However, Burr’s financial problems were no greater than many other farmers. It is speculated that a lack of coping skills left Burr unable to deal with his economic & personal problems.