‘Catfishing’ cop pretended are 17, ‘groomed’ Ca woman prior to destroying her family members, up coming himself

The 28-year-old Virginia cop just who killed around three family unit members from a good Riverside adolescent had presented on line due to the fact an adolescent so you’re able to “groom” the brand new 15-year-dated lady, the latest Riverside Police Service said Wednesday.

Austin Lee Edwards illustrated themselves because a 17-year-old while communication on the web into lady, using “grooming” actions, which can include projects such as asking for otherwise offering intimately direct photo, providing gifts and you may providing compliments, Riverside Police Head Larry Gonzalez said within a press conference.

Gonzalez said it is still under analysis how long the brand new digital relationship between Edwards and teenager woman took place and you will just what system they accustomed satisfy otherwise show, but detectives believe those who are typical exploitative approaches for “sextortion” were chosen for this example.

‘Catfishing’ policeman pretended becoming 17, ‘groomed’ California lady just before eliminating their relatives, upcoming themselves

“This can be a different sort of horrifying reminder of one’s predators existing on the internet who prey on our youngsters,” he said. “If you’ve already got so it conversation along with your infants on how getting secure online and towards social network, delight have it once again. Or even, begin they now to better protect him or her.”

Cops trust Edwards, who was simply a newly bound-in law administration manager inside outlying southwest Virginia, about the new teenager woman on the web because of the “catfishing” – pretending to be anybody he isn’t. Then drove nationwide to their home in the Riverside, in which he slain this lady mommy and grandparents and place flame to your house, just before driving regarding towards the girl.

Their car is afterwards stopped inside the San Bernardino County, where government initially said he was killed when you look at the a shootout that have cops, but the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Company launched Wednesday that he passed away out of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Catfishing a lady, killing the lady relatives: In to the Virginia cop’s alleged California rampage

Police say a cop out of Virginia proceeded a horrific rampage Tuesday in Riverside, catfishing an adolescent woman, after that killing the lady mom and you will grand-parents.

The three members of the family killed was indeed defined as Mark Winek, 69, a long time basketball and you can softball mentor during the Arlington Highschool; their spouse, Sharie Winek, 65, a dedicated mom and you can granny; in addition to their girl, Brooke Winek, 38, one mommy away from a couple adolescent lady – for instance the girl controlled by the Edwards. They all lived with her in the Riverside home.

“It horrific skills already been that have an inappropriate on the internet romance between good predator and children,” Michelle Blandin told you because of rips Wednesday, the actual only real thriving girl regarding Mark and you will Sharie Winek. “The guy took an oath to protect, yet , the guy did not do so. Alternatively, he preyed into the really insecure.”

This new Virginia officer whom arrived during the Wineks’ domestic Tuesday got complete law enforcement academy earlier this season, centered on Virginia police force, and had been newly leased because good patrol deputy having a state Sheriff’s Workplace just ten days before his rampage in the Riverside.

While you are Blandin asserted that Edwards attempted to kidnap her relative, Riverside police authorities told you they are not yet , discussing this new telecommunications just like the an enthusiastic abduction, because they’re still combing as a result of real and you will electronic research, seeking know whether or not she try coerced or endangered to get to your Edwards’ auto.

However, Riverside police representative Ryan Railsback said there is no signal the adolescent lady are active in the killings otherwise flames. He said the fresh new teenager wandered into the car that have Edwards since the our home was already burning.

“Inside tragic minute of our own loved ones, all of our sadness, hopefully particular goodwill come from this,” Blandin said. “Moms and dads, delight, please learn your kid’s on the web interest. Inquire on which they truly are creating and you will who he could be speaking to; you can now say they’ve been someone else. . In the event the something similar to it horrifying tragedy can happen here in our community within community, it will happens everywhere.”