Former state trooper Austin Lee Edwards, 28 was killed in a shoot-out with deputies in Riverside, California. According to a statement from the city, he's believed to have driven across the country to the home of a teenage girl he met online and catfished
, Austin Lee Edwards, 28, who’d recently worked for the Virginia State Police, is believed to have driven across the country to the home of a teenage girl he’d met online and catfished. Officials claim he murdered the girl’s mother and grandparents before driving off with her on Friday, November 25. The cause and manner of death is still under investigation. The 15-year-old is now in protective custody.
On Friday, November 25, officers were dispatched to check on the welfare of a girl who appeared distressed while getting into a red car with a man. As officers were responding, 911 dispatchers began receiving calls about a fire in the neighborhood, the City of RiversideFirefighters found the bodies of Mark and Sharie Winek and their daughter, Brooke Winek. A preliminary investigation determined that the girl who was seen getting into the car also lived at the home.
“Mark, Sharie, and Brooke were loving people who didn’t deserve this tragedy,” the family of the victims said in a public statement, thanking “everyone for their love, support, prayers, and patience during this horrific time.” The family has aEdwards had met the teenager online and catfished her, according to the City of Riverside’s: “It is believed Edwards had developed an online relationship with the teen and obtained her personal information.
At a press conference on Wednesday, November 30, the girl’s aunt, Michelle Blandin, cautioned parents about catfishing, . “Parents, please know your child’s online activity, ask questions about what they’re doing and whom they are talking to,” she said. “Anybody can say they’re someone else, and you could be in this situation.”Riverside police believe that Edwards traveled to Riverside from Virginia. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, though it appeared to be intentionally lit,
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A Cop Catfished A Teen Girl And Killed Her Family Before Dying In A Police ShootoutThe girl's grandfather, grandmother, and mother were found dead after a house fire that authorities believe was intentionally set.
Read more »
Aunt of Teen ‘Catfished’ by Alleged Killer Cop Speaks Out“Catfishing led to the deaths of the three most important people in my life. My dad, my mom, and my sister,” Michelle Blandin said. “He took an oath to protect and yet he failed to do so. Instead, he preyed on the most vulnerable.”
Read more »
Ex-cop killed in shootout after police say he catfished California girl, killed her familySheriff's deputies in California killed Austin Lee Edwards, a former police officer in Virginia, after finding him with an endangered teenager.
Read more »
Former State Trooper Who Catfished Teen Girl and Murdered Her Family Dies in ShootoutAustin Lee Edwards drove 2,500 miles to kidnap the teen and kill her mom and grandparents.
Read more »
Former Va. state trooper catfished a teen and killed her family, police sayOfficials said the suspect, Austin Lee Edwards, drove from Virginia to California and killed the mother, grandmother and grandfather of the teenage girl he had met online.
Read more »
Ex-Cop Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Teen Girl Whose Rape He Was InvestigatingThe New Orleans senior police officer groomed, kidnapped and sexually abused a 15-year-old rape survivor he was supposed to be helping.
Read more »