At first, Susie's family is in complete denial of her murder. They refuse to believe it until an actual physical body part, suspected to be Susie's, is found.
Each character presents anger differently, from Susie's father Jack who destroys memories of his daughter to her mother Abigail's emotional lashings.
Jack quickly enters the bargaining stage of grief by desperately pleading and eventually harassing the police to find more evidence to get the leading suspect, Mr. Harvery, arrested.
The entire family experiences depression by feeling an overwhelming hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, sadness and pity for Susie, themselves and each other.
Finally, each character accepts the death of Susie and slowly begins the process of rediscovery and moving forward.