A California teen became the target of catfishing that ended tragically as the man catfishing the girl killed her mother and grandparents on November 25, 2022. The Riverside PD arrived at a residence to respond to distress calls regarding a girl getting into a car with a man.
Virginia Man Catfishes California Teenager and Kills Her Family Over the Thanksgiving Weekend
At the same time, firefighters were in the neighborhood fighting a blaze not too far from where the girl was seen with the man. After the fire was controlled, three bodies were found inside and authorities determined that the three were obviously homicide victims.
The three deceased adults were identified as Mark and Sharie Winek, 69 and 65-years-old respectively, and Brooke Winek, their 38-year daughter and the mother of the girl. When the two events were linked, an alert was put out about the kidnapping and the homicides. The teenager was found with Austin Lee Edwards (28)—a deputy in Washington County, Virginia—by San Bernardino County deputies.
Edwards initiated a gunfight with deputies and was killed. In their investigation into Edwards, authorities found that he met the teenager by catfishing her. Catfishing involves pretending to be a different person than themselves for a variety of reasons. Because it involves deceiving someone, it has led to situations ranging from awkward to fatal.
In Edwards’ case, he struck up an online relationship with the teen and was able to get personal information about her. He then left his home in Virginia and drove to California where he went to the Winek residence and killed her mother and grandparents. Edwards then left the house with the teen.
The teenager has been placed in protective custody, Riverside PD Chief Larry Gonzalez gave his and the department’s condolences to the Winek family and the city. He also touched on the importance of motioning the online activity of minors:
“This is yet another horrific reminder of the predators existing online who prey on our children. If you’ve already had a conversation with your kids on how to be safe online and on social media, have it again. If not, start it now to better protect them.”
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