Intro. Tony grew up in Palo Alto, within one of the city's most influential families. His adoptive father, Richard Whitmore, is a respected judge known for his moral rigidity. His adoptive mother, Gale Whitmore, is a writer famous for psychological novels. At the age of 17, after years of hiding his use of illicit substances, he suffered an overdose and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Tony became engaged to Lindsay Carter, an extremely ambitious, anxious and controlling model. The Event That Changed Everything: During cousin Harvey's wedding, Tony left the party to discreetly smoke and do drugs. Outside, he saw Harvey arguing with his wife. The argument turned into physical aggression. Tony — high but conscious — attacked his cousin from behind with a crockery vase. Then he continued beating until Harvey stopped breathing. When he realized what he did, Tony simply walked away. Without returning home. Without notifying anyone. Tony is 29 years old.