Anyone think it’s a possible that the reason LE didn’t announce a possible catfishing connection previously, until they were able to put a name to it, was to prevent fuelling an online frenzy of SM participants attempting to solve the case themselves, knowing the suspect also has an online presence?
DELPHI, Ind. – In the three years since Abby Williams and Libby German were killed, investigators have fielded nearly 50,000 tips. But one area that could hurt their investigation are online …
cbs4indy.com
“In the three years since
Abby Williams and Libby German were killed, investigators have fielded nearly 50,000 tips.
But one area that could hurt their investigation are online web sleuths who attach names and faces to online gossip attempting to solve the Delphi murders. Police warn that this practice could slow the case and put the public at risk.
Some online groups have upwards of 20,000 members, and accusations within the groups run rampant. Police stress, the bottom line is, if you have a tip, send it to the tip line.
“When you have people who are trying to solve this case with unorthodox methods, it could not only be detrimental to innocent people, but it could harm the case as well,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine.
Police concede social media is both good and bad in a years-long case like this one. It allows investigators to get messages to the public in real time. But an alternate side exists.
“We’ve seen some people trying to make their own connections by putting side-by-side photos on social media, and they’ll put names and where these suspects, that they believe, live,” said Sgt. Perrine….
….One Delphi group on Facebook has 24,000 members; another on Reddit has 30,000. Countless smaller groups exist boasting thousands of members each….”