More Details of McLean Murder-Suicide

The Washington Post  gave more details this morning about the Vienna woman who shot and killed a McLean psychiatrist July 23 at the office he had in his home just off Georgetown Pike.

The story, while filling in details about Barbara Newman, a patient, who shot and killed Dr. Mark Lawrence, still does not answer the question of why.

"Interviews with family members, friends and colleagues of Newman, 62, and Lawrence, 71, reveal them as an unlikely pair to be entwined in such a tragedy," the Post story says.  "Both were remembered separately as caring, dedicated professionals, Newman an immunologist and Lawrence a psychiatrist. Both were athletic and believed in a holistic approach to well-being."

"More important, both told people that they thought Newman had been headed in the right direction as she battled recent health problems and long-standing psychological issues," the story said.

Barbara Ann Newman grew up on Long Island and graduated from a top public high school. She went on to Smith College, earning a degree in psychology, and received a PhD in immunology from Columbia University, The Post story said.

During her college years, friends said, Newman’s father died within a week of learning he had cancer. His death affected her deeply, they said, according to the Post story.

The story in the printed newspaper is more complete than the version on the Post website.

Dr. Lawrence's family plans to hold a service for him Oct. 2.

The family will be sending email invitations to the memorial service. If you are a friend, colleague or patient interested in attending and are not sure that Mark's family will know to contact you, please email marklawrencememorial@gmail.com and state your connection to Dr. Lawrence or his family.

He grew up in Gary, Ind. and attended Amherst College and Harvard Medical School, both in Massachusetts, on academic scholarships. He trained at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and also served on the psychiatric faculties of Georgetown University Medical School and St. Elizabeth's Hospital.

Lawrence moved to the Washington area in 1969 after completing his residency, said his daughter, Katherine Lawrence.

The family moved into a McLean house in 1974 that was designed by Lawrence's wife, Karen, Katherine Lawrence said.

Up until his death, Lawrence taught classes on imagery and ego-state therapy.

He was a husband, father, grandfather and friend and mentor to many.