Thernstrom to Publish Book on Murder-Suicide

Melanie R. Thernstrom '87, a writer for the New Yorker, said in an interview yesterday that she is preparing a book on the 1995 murder-suicide in Dunster House.

Thernstrom will publish the book with Doubleday Publishing in New York, though she has yet to decide on a publication date.

Thernstrom, who is the daughter of Winthrop Professor of History Stephan J. Thernstrom and a former non-resident tutor in Adams House, declined to offer details of her upcoming book.

Last June she published an article in the New Yorker about the murder-suicide, which occurred as students prepared to move out of the Houses for the summer vacation.

On May 28, 1995, Sinedu Tadesse '96 stabbed and killed her roommate, Trang P. Ho '96, before hanging herself in their Dunster House double.

Thernstrom's article criticized Harvard's role in the tragedy, alleging that the University had been aware of Tadesse's emotional problems before she killed her roommate and herself.

The article also alleged that the University was aware but chose to ignore a 1993 letter Tadesse wrote to a Harvard Law School student whom she had picked at random.

The article quoted the letter: "I am a person who can't swim chocking [sic] for life in a river....All you have to do is give me a hand and put into words what you already know."

Thernstrom also criticized Harvard for withholding important information about the incident.

"In the wake of the tragedy, Harvard officials said that Sinedu never indicated that she needed any help, an assertion that was widely repeated in the press report," the article said.

The article traced Tadesse's mental state during her college years and contained reprints of her diary entries prior to the crime.

In her diary, Tadesse mourned a failed friendship with her roommate and the alienation she felt at the College.

Thernstrom declined yesterday to comment specifically on her new book's arrival date, saying only, "It is not upcoming."

Thernstrom has authored a previous book, titled The Dead Girl, about the brutal murder of a friend of hers in California

Thernstrom has authored a previous book, titled The Dead Girl, about the brutal murder of a friend of hers in California