Reddit, what's your family's dark secret? [NSFW]

My great grandfather's brother (mom's grandfather's brother) was the mayor of a small town and was running for re-election. There were rumors that the opponent was planning to murder my great grandfather's brother so his wife made him stay home on lockdown. My great grandfather, however, figured he was safe to go out since he isn't the target and has no political affiliation and was stabbed in town square in public.

The case went to court and the opponent was jailed for 6 months but ultimately released because nobody besides family would testify out of fear for their lives. My great grandfather's brother ended up winning the election again (having your opponent jailed for murder makes it quite easy) and he ended up adopting his murdered brother's son (my grandfather; mom's dad).

My grandfather was only 7 years old at the time of adoption. My mother (murdered great grandfather's granddaughter) was born many many years later and married my father (whose brother in law happens to be the direct descendent of the murderer). Aka....half the family doesn't talk to the other. Apparently murder leaves lasting grudges.

TL;DR Mom's grandfather was murdered; my father's brother-in-law is the direct descendent of the murderer

/r/AskReddit Thread