Man Killed By Cops After Catfishing Teen, Murdering Her Household

A legislation enforcement officer from Virginia was killed in a shootout with California deputies after reportedly killing the household of a teen woman he had catfished on-line.

The suspect, recognized as 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards, then proceeded to drive off with the woman after murdering her mom and grandparents, police stated Sunday.

On Friday simply after 11 a.m., police have been first referred to as to a house in Riverside for a welfare examine of a distressed woman getting right into a Pink Kia Soul with a person, in accordance with NBC News.

Welfare Examine For Distressed Teen Turns Into Burning Residence With Three Lifeless Our bodies Inside

Responding officers acquired a number of telephone calls a few fireplace only a few homes away from the house the place the the welfare examine had been requested.

After the Riverside Fireplace Division arrived on scene for the fireplace on the primary flooring, they discovered three grownup our bodies on the bottom inside.

“Their our bodies have been pulled outdoors the place it was decided they have been victims of an obvious murder,” the Riverside Police Division stated.

Investigators have been in a position to shortly decide that the woman from the welfare examine name lived on the dwelling the place three folks have been discovered lifeless, the outlet stories.

Throughout a preliminary investigation, authorities have been in a position to decide the identification of the person she was with, who detectives later discovered had been employed with the Virginia State Police earlier than taking a more moderen job with the Washington County Sheriff’s Workplace, additionally in Virginia.

Authorities ultimately tracked Edwards’ automotive a number of hours later, as he drove the teenager to the unincorporated space of Kelso in San Bernardino County, the place deputies caught up with him.

Catfishing Man Dies After Cops Return Gunfire, Woman Taken Into Social Providers Protecting Custody

Edwards then reportedly shot at deputies, who instantly returned fireplace.

He was pronounced lifeless on the scene, in accordance with NBC Information.

The woman, who was not harmed, was taken into protecting custody of the the Riverside County Division of Public Social Providers. Authorities have been ready to determine that Edwards had “catfished” the teenager woman on-line.

“Detectives decided Edwards had met the feminine teenager by way of the frequent type of on-line deception often called ‘catfishing,’ the place somebody pretends to be a special individual than they really are,” the Riverside Police Division stated.

Authorities added that they believed Edwards obtained the woman’s private data after growing a web-based relationship with the teenager.

Edwards reportedly drove all the way in which cross-country from Virginia to California to go to the woman, the place he parked his automotive in a neighbor’s driveway earlier than strolling to the teenager’s dwelling.

Victims Recognized, Suspect’s Former Regulation Enforcement Employers Verify His Employment

In some unspecified time in the future, Edwards allegedly killed the woman’s mom, grandmother and grandfather earlier than leaving the house with the teenager and driving off, in accordance with police.

The outlet stories that the slain members of the family have been recognized by authorities as 69-year-old Mark Winek; his spouse, 65-year-old Sharie Winek; and their daughter, 38-year-old Brooke Winek, who was additionally the woman’s mom.

An post-mortem will reveal the precise explanation for their deaths, which was nonetheless pending as of Monday. Authorities added the fireplace was additionally underneath investigation, with police claiming it appeared to have been deliberately begin.

In the meantime, the Virginia State Police confirmed that Edwards enrolled in its academy again on July 6, 2021 earlier than graduating as a trooper earlier this yr.

A spokesperson for the division declined to offer any additional data concerning Edwards’ resignation, citing state legislation prevents legislation enforcement businesses from releasing something aside from a date of resignation, the outlet stories.

As of Monday, it was not instantly clear what function Edwards held inside the Washington County Sheriff’s Workplace, with the sheriff’s workplace not instantly responding to requests for remark.

Investigation Ongoing, With Authorities Requesting Anybody With Any Extra Info To Come Ahead

“Our hearts exit to the Winek household and their family members throughout this time of super grief, as this can be a tragedy for all Riversiders,” said Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “That is yet one more horrific reminder of the predators current on-line who prey on our kids. In the event you’ve already had a dialog together with your youngsters on methods to be secure on-line and on social media, have it once more. If not, begin it now to raised shield them.”

An investigation into the three deaths stays ongoing, in accordance with authorities, who asks anybody with data to contact them. These wishing to stay nameless can e mail RPDTips@RiversideCA.gov.

A GoFundMe arrange on behalf of the household has raised $30,340 out of $100,000 aim as of Monday.