The Sharpe family murders was a March 2004 Australian double murder, in which John Sharpe killed his pregnant wife, Anna, and his nineteen-month old daughter Gracie, in the Melbourne suburb of Mornington.For his part in the crime, he became generally known as the 'Speargun killer' or the 'Mornington Monster'.
Sharpe repeatedly fired a spear gun into the heads of his victims, and would later exhume the body of his wife, dismember her, then disposed of her body in a landfill. Claiming his innocence, he would later appear on national television in emotional interviews seeking information on his family's whereabouts. Sharpe eventually confessed to the murders and was sentenced in 2005 to life imprisonment., with a minimum non-parole period of 33 years. He will be eligible for parole in 2037.
John Myles Sharpe was born 28 February 1967 in Mornington and grew up in that area. Sharpe met his New Zealand born wife, Anna Kemp, when they worked together at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. They married in October 1994 - Anna was four years his senior. They then lived together in various locations around the Mornington Peninsula area south of Melbourne.
Their daughter, Gracie Louise Sharpe was born in August 2002. She was born with a condition called hip dysplacia - a congenital abnormality in her hips which required orthopaedic treatment by a corrective harness for the first three months of her life. She cried often and had difficulty sleeping, a situation which appeared to place some strain on the marriage. Even after the harness was no longer required, Gracie still had difficulties in feeding and sleeping for which Anna sought professional assistance.
In 2003 Sharpe purchased a high powered spear gun, along with a second spear, from a sports shop known as Sport Phillip Marine in Mornington. He had not previously shown an interest in spear fishing, but was known to have test fired the gun, in order to become familiar with its operation, in the backyard of their then Spinnaker Rise, Mornington home. Soon after, in September 2003, the Sharpes purchased the house at 116 Prince Street, Mornington.
In about November of that year, when Gracie was about 15 months old, Anna became pregnant again. Sharpe later told police investigators that this pregnancy came as a surprise to him. Sharpe apparently decided that he did not want another child - in his mind, one was enough of a burden - and he began to resent Anna and the unborn child.
Wikipedia
John Sharpe's Astrology Chart
The chart has no known birth time, but there are some significant insights that can still be revealed about this man's character from his chart. First, as you may have noticed he has quite a few astrological bodies in water. The sign of Pisces is particularly heavily tenated with Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Chiron all placed in the twelfth sign. As most people have read the element of water represents the sensitive and compassionate souls, and these types often need to have relationships with other people. Some water people live their lives through others.
Pisces is a changeble and malleable sign, easily influenced by the environment and can become more easily distorted and emotionally disturbed by life. Pisces is also the sign of self-sacrifice and compassion. Now, just because you have the Sun in Pisces does not mean all these qualities are innate and full blown. The Sun in the natal chart rules what you are becoming, it is the solar essence of an individual. The Sun represents the constant unfolding of the individual identity. Put simply, the Sun shows the direction and purpose of an individual life. Pisces is the sign of sacrifice, sensitivity, and a connection to the feeling life of the collective. The sign of Pisces represents two fish swimming in opposite directions and this symbolizes the psychological pull in opposite directions and the difficulty inherent in this sign.
The Sun in Pisces needs to involve himself in work which provides an emotional connection to others and contributes to the imaginal realm of other human beings. Sometimes it involves selfless service or artistic endeavours. However, John Sharpe couldn't cope with the challenge of reality, and he resented the responsibilities that he had been 'burdened' with. After he had murdered his wife and child he went on national television and decieved the public with emotional pleas. No doubt, the Piscean emphasis in his chart aided him in this sorrowful broadcast, which you can view
here I wouldn't say he gave an oscar winning performance.
Pisces is known as the natural actor of the zodiac, and this sign can self-decieve, be deceived or lie to others. The Sun is conjunct Mercury in Pisces. Mercury is in the sign of it's fall and rules communication on the imaginative and intuitive level. Sometimes this type of conjunction can mean that the individual has difficulty seperating from their own opinions, but it is also symbolic of a weak sense of direction and great mental sensitivity and it can lead to a distortion of facts. The Sun in Pisces trine Mars in Scorpio shows a side to him that was more confident in his masculinity, and an adventurous side (dangerous weapons too).
The Sun in Pisces in traditional terms tends to dissolve the individuality and they can sacrifice themselves in the name of others. Mars in Scorpio, is entirely different; it is strong in it's own sign. Mars in Scorpio will tend to act in secret, and they can become fixed on their course of action. Loyalty matters to this sign and betrayals are not easily forgiven. This side of his nature is willing to overcome any obstacles but it can be at the expense of others. Sharpe told police he killed his wife because she was controlling and moody although he is the one who has the "water chart" in all respects. He claimed the marriage was unahppy. He said that killing his daughter was an act of "irrational bloody madness" and that he was thinking of taking care of his daughter by himself and then he just lost the plot. Other theories say that Sharpe had a history of abusing children and he killed his wife after she had discovered him abusing their daughter.
The Sun in Pisces trines Jupiter in Cancer and this would usually present an optimistic character. This aspect can be a positive dimension to his character, however, it can also make him too complacement in the face of life's difficulties. Two naturally confident planets trine his ego/identity and thus self-confidence comes with ease, of course there is always the danger of self-inflation and delusion. Jupiter in Cancer signifies the principle of protection and is usally a good placement for a homemaker! The square to Mars in Scorpio describes careless actions regarding his desire nature and the protective influence of the family. John Sharpe has plenty of water trines in his chart, he has a closed and flowing Grand Water Trine between Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron and Neptune. All grand trines have an internal flow and there can be many postive benefits to this chart formation. However, it can also make the individual emotionally enclosed.
Dr Walton said Sharpe had a long-term inability to confront problems but, despite having difficulty in expressing "any sort of feeling", he now expressed sorrow for the family of the victims.
Jupiter and Neptune in his chart are the dispositors of his Piscean group of planets, and are pretty much well aspected. Naturally, he played on other people's sympathy but this paticular combination and with Jupiter trine Neptune can show inflation and grand delusions. I think he probably thought he was some sort of savior. Traditionally this aspect would show a kind and sympathetic character who can be inclined to religious or spiritual enthusiasm.
The chart has a kite formation which in general is usually more productive than the grand trine. Mercury in fall in Pisces trining Jupiter and Neptune probably aided him in his lying and deception, he may have even started believing his own hype and lies (jupiter-Neptune) he is so enclosed in himself he probably couldn't tell you the real truth. Jupiter is the planet of optimism and exaggeration and he would expect things to turn in his favour. Considering his "grand trine chart" it was reported that he didn't handle stress too well. Grand trines especially involving water and Neptune can avoid the struggle of real life and can emotionally retreat. Mercury in Pisces trine Nepune shows a powerful imagination and he can be impressionable and gullible, or likewise 'easily' decieve others. There is great mental sensitivity here and he is easily in touch with what we would call the irrational world.
Mercury in Pisces is probably under the most stress in the chart, it opposes the outer planetary conjunction of Uranus-Pluto. Mercury also conjuncts Chiron in Pisces, and this planetray picture tells us of a man who thinks differently, he doesn't like to be told what to think. He also needs great mental stimulation or he beomes bored easily, he may suffer from nervousness (Uranus). He may also be lacking in common sense. These aspects can make him quite touchy for his mind is deeply sensitized. He can be stubborn and opinionated and during his own childhood he may have felt manipulated or dominated in his thinking. According to reports he has always been sly and manipulative and has probably more secrets that we don't know about (Pluto). The combination of Mercury- Uranus-Pluto can also describe his mentality as detached and seperate, this can be a creatve, visionary and powerful combination, but it can also unsettle the mind leading to fierce detachment.
Chiron is in Pisces in his natal chart and shows emotional wounds and dissapointments which are often experienced through emotional expectations. He can suffer deep feelings of helplessness and victimisation. The family background and current situation can contain apparently 'pointless' sacrifices. It is hard to retain faith in life for this position of Chiron. Here is a reading by Martin Lass: Source for following reading and interpretation in full to be found
here.
The Wound:
The Wound of a loss of Faith and Trust in the Divine and/or in the Universe. A deep-seated sense of betrayal and/or victimization by life and/or God/Universe. A loss of Faith in the power and omnipresence of Love. Fear of being hurt. A core belief in the injustice, inequity, unfairness and victimizing nature of the Universe. A feeling of being forsaken by God, mirrored in the story of Jesus Christ.
The Wound's Expression:
Shutting our inner doors to the Universe, to the Divine, to God.Suffering silently within ourselves, i.e. private hurt.Yet, paradoxically, seeking to merge, to Return to Oneness, to become whole again. Developing a hard shell and a pragmatic and sometimes cynical exterior manner.This is the most common expression.Conversely, can be overly sensitive, gushing and teary.Can be susceptible or gullible to outer influences that appear to offer Love or union with something divine or mystical.
Fear of opening up to others, yet needing close personal contact.This can lead to clouded judgment when choosing partners. Yet, paradoxically, each partner will offer another reflection of what we need to see about ourselves.Often suspiciousness, fear of opening to others, fear of being hurt and lack of trust will sabotage relationships. Nonetheless, highly sensitive inside - even overly so.Can feel like a victim of the injustices, inequities and suffering of the world. Can manifest as agnosticism or even atheism. Expresses very often through artistic and creative output.
As you have seen in the above report he was born around the same time as Kurt Cobain who used his Piscean creativity through music, but who suffered the same feelings of victimisation. He ended his own life by shooting himself in the head. Sharpe also has Uranus opposite his Chiron in Pisces.
Chiron opposite Uranus below:
This aspect is perhaps the most active of the Chiron/Uranus aspects barring the conjunction.The opposition causes us to run in the opposite direction to our Woundedness.In doing so, we run into Uranus, who then proceeds to show us the higher view of that from which we were running.When Uranus' Truth and its bigger Picture become too difficult to handle, challenging us beyond our current capacity, we run again, back into our Woundedness, back to Chiron.Here, due to Uranus' light shining on the Wounds, we find new material to work with, adding to our overall understanding.When what we find there again becomes too Painful, again we run, again bumping into Uranus.So it goes on, in a tic-tocking journey of Healing and evolution of consciousness.
If we are not able to deal with the Wounds and Pain that come up and we are not able to deal with the greater Truth that Uranus offers, then we are stuck in a kind of nightmare of constant running.In this case we tend to try to do anything to 'blank out'.We attempt this by using alcohol, drugs, sleep, work, music and all other types of 'escapism' to avoid the Wounds, blockages and unresolved issues.If we try this for too long, however, it will inevitably be reflected in our bodies through illness, disease and general unwellness. This all-or-nothing kind of psychology is the very reason why Chiron-opposition-Uranus (and Chiron-opposition-Pluto) is an aspect that confers Healing ability and/or focus in our lives.We cannot avoid it; we cannot run away from it; it follows us wherever we try to go.
Mercury conjunct Chiron can show wounds in his ability to communicate effectively about his feelings of victimisation and emotional wounds. It shows deep blockages in the communication area of the natal chart. Chiron conjunct Saturn in Pisces shows defensive wounding and his defence to life's difficulty can be to play the "poor victim in society". Mars square Jupiter can symbolise that he lacks moderation and balance in his over-zealous and vengeful actions (Mars in Scorpio).
The most telling evidence in his chart for the unhappy marriage is his Venus conjunct Saturn this can symbolise someone who is quite shy and repressed when it comes to showing affection and love, he will often find himself in relationships where he/she is incapable of responding in an affectionate or loving manner. This is the classic love vs duty aspect and often shows career or other marital burdens limiting the expression of a love relationship. Deep down he feels unlovable and it can show an over-developed duty to the partner. Or it can infer that the partner is dutiful, hardworking, but perhaps cold in feeling. The wife may have felt depressed and limited in the marriage. Marriage and relationships will always carry a deep sense of duty and burden. Most people are able to respond to this by working hard and building a committed relationship together with shared responsibility and working as a "team".
Sometimes the individual feels a deep sense of guilt in realtionships and failing at a realtionship fills him with a deep sense of inadequecy regarding his own self-worth and lovability. In some cases it can represent a selfish person and considering Venus is in Aries (detriment) his own desires in relationships and his essential passionate desires are thwarted. He believes that love will give him what he wants and his desires come first. However, it is difficult to feel pleasure when he is powerfully aware of his committments and responsibilities. The marriage overall may have lacked sexual and physical affection, and if the abuse rumours are true he sought these needs elsewhere. I have mostly focused on the negative possibilities of all the aspects because we know he has acted out his chart in this way. The positive aspect to Venus-Saturn is being self-sufficient in relationships and the need to develop an optimistic attitude in marriage. Venus-Saturn can show the painful loss of a relationship through rejection, death, or general unhappiness in the marriage. It takes time to learn how to build a loving realtionship.
Overall this is the 'genaral nature' of his personality. I have focused on the negative aspects because there is no point beating about the bush when we know he is a disturbed killer. I will now peruse his transits for the time of the murders. We might gain insight about what type of planetary action triggerd him off. The first important aspect to consider is transiting Saturn in Cancer the sign of family obligation and responsibility square to his natal Venus in Aries. This transit is telling us he was most likely feeling heavily burdened in his relationship, and this amplifies his natal Venus-Saturn aspect.Venus-Saturn can indicate more responsibility and a realistic assessment of a relationship or it can represent seperation. Transitng Uranus in Pisces conjuncts his Sun indicating he was feeling restless and ready for change. I had the exact same transit at that time because I too have Sun in Pisces at 8 degrees. I met my current partner suddenly and had fallen pregnant unexpectedly. For me, it was a pleasant surprise. For him, however, another baby meant more added responsibility and an extra burden (Venus-Saturn). He resented the news. Transiting Pluto in Sagittarius squared his natal Uranus-Pluto conjunction indicating a time of forced change and sudden upheaval. Transiting Pluto square Chiron in Pisces can show painful awareness of his wounds and limiatations. Here is a reading below:
You have very deep emotional experiences that force you to face your issues about power, intimacy and loss. You have some very difficult choices to make regarding the use of your power. You may be strongly inclined to challenge all sexual taboos and rules, and to embrace your shadow side. Self-healing depends upon squarely facing your obsessions, attachments and buried rage, otherwise you may be strongly inclined to hoard and misuse your power, acting out your unresolved feelings in potentially destructive ways. If you do your deep psychological work you can become a powerful force for healing and awakening, creating a dimensional bridge that can be used by others as well as yourself. You can be very charismatic and compelling in your role as mentor, guide and healer. Source
Samuel Brashear Avis (February 19, 1872 – June 8, 1924) was an American politician who represented West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives from 1913-1915.
Hernán Gaviria Carvajal (November 27, 1969 – October 24, 2002) was a Colombian football central midfielder. Gaviria died on October 24, 2002, when he and teammate Giovanni Córdoba were hit by lightning during a practice session with Deportivo Cali.
