I wonder what level security clearance Turpin held.
Good question about the security clearance. I’m surprised there has not been more reported about what exactly his job was . They say he’s an engineer, but don’t say what kind of engineer, his education level, or what his job responsibilities were. I’m surprised none of his past coworkers have been interviewed (but maybe I have missed some of that kind of thing).
Security clearances involve talking with neighbors and coworkers and former neighbors as well.
I’ve read that he filed for bankruptcy. If you have a secret clearance, you are required to report bankruptcies to the security department at which you work. If he did indeed report the bankruptcy, it is unlikely that he would have been able to retain his secret clearance. If such a clearance is required at his company (Northrup Grumman?), and he lost it, that would likely explain why he was unemployed.
But if he was unemployed…who would have been “transferring” him??
I believe you have to allow access to your credit reports as part of security clearances. Any bankruptcy would certainly be reflected in the credit bureaus. Security clearances are generally every 5 years with more extensive veal’s every 10. Some jobs require access to credit reports annually (I had a job that required annual credit reports).
Yes, I don’t get that either @thumper1 The stuff about his employment is very murky! I only saw one reference that says he worked with computers, but not sure how accurate that is as the reports just keep saying he was an “engineer.” He probably either never did a job that required a security clearance (at least not a top security one) or lost it if , as noted, he filed for bankruptcy. Not sure how any friends?, neighbors could have even given any meaningful input for a clearance, as the family was quite isolated
From ABC:
"David Turpin, 57, was getting a job transfer from California to Oklahoma with the defense contractor Northrop Grumann, the sources said, and as a result, the family was preparing to move “within days” of Jan. 14, when the 17-year-old clambered out of a window and used a deactivated cellphone to dial 911 for help, according to police. Authorities quickly came to the house, ultimately arresting the parents and taking all 13 siblings into state custody.
Sources told ABC News, “There were boxes in the house consistent with moving –- concentrated in hallways, entryway and bedrooms.”"
Cursory search of NG job openings in engineering requires “confidential” or “secret” clearance level. No US citizenship required though.
Ok…I’m confused…did they live in OK at some other point in time…or just Texas?
Not sure but they are originally from West Virginia, spent time in Texas, then ended up in California. But, Northrop Grumman does have a presence n Oklahoma and lots of current job openings there.
I can’t imagine him working at Northrop Grumman with that silly haircut. He looks like one of the Three Stooges.
You would be surprised how some engineers I worked with looked like. Like they came out of a deep forest or lived in a tent under a freeway overpass. I bet the coworkers did not think that haircut was strange.
Well, I’ve tried to stay away from the way he looks, but , at minimum, he had to have stood out with his coworkers. Which is why I’m surprised none of them is commenting. Unless there is some kind of gag order about talking about him?
@BunsenBurner And what kind of “engineers” are you referring to? Most engineers look pretty normal. Most engineering disciplines require teamwork and good social skills, some probably more than others. He may have been into computers, so may have been doing things more behind the scenes, but that is still unclear .
My S and the folks who graduated in engineering with him look perfectly normal to me. I don’t thing stereotypes about appearances of engineers are helpful.
I agree @Hlmom My husband, and sons , all engineers , look quite normal and are also good looking and athletic as well! 
My H is out playing volleyball as I write. I get so annoyed by these stereotypes. I have met very many engineers over the years and have enjoyed meeting coworkers .
I used to work for a systems software development company. Assembler programmers: pretty hard core. Appearance was all over the lot, as was personal hygiene.
H worked mostly with engineers in the fed govt. They all appeared to have normal personal hygiene on the few open houses I was allowed to attend in the decades H worked for the fed govt. It is offensive to label ALL or MOST engineers as unhygienic or awkward when that is a just another stereotype (sadly reinforced nightly be Big Bang Theory).
Hey, you report your experience and others will report theirs. I said it was all over the lot, meaning that people ran the gamut. I said nothing about a majority.
So, mostly computer guys behind the scenes, IT type guys? What is an assembler programmer? If so, that would be very different from a civil, mechanical, etc. that may be meeting with clients, working in teams where social skills are important, etc.