Megan Meier’s Story Just Beginning to be Heard
The MySpace Suicide Story Sparks Reactions of Outrage
Angry Commenters Want Justice for Meier Family and Megan
Many Parts of the Country Still Aren’t Aware
The “MySpace Suicide” reaction to the Megan Meier story has been outrage. Outrage on a lot of levels.
Outrage at the vicious Internet attack on a 13-year-old girl by parents of the girl’s erstwhile friend.
Outrage that the responsible adults have not been held accountable by the law.
Outrage that the only action taken has been a complaint filed by the parents who concocted this cruel hoax against the parents of the girl who committed suicide. They filed a complaint with local police against Megan’s parents.
The reason?
After finding out who was responsible for the creation of the fictitious MySpace account that led to their daughters suicide, Megan’s parents destroyed a foosball table they had been storing for the heartless adults.
Some of that outrage surfaced at the Orlando Sentinel:
Girl Commits Suicide Over Internet Prank by ADULTS–Who is Responsible?
I heard this on the MJ Morning Show this morning and had to share. This story is so heinous, disgusting…I don’t even know where to begin.
Any folks out there who are lawyers, law enforcement officers, or judges–can you shed some light? I’m looking for your input.
Some of it surfaced at the home of the original reporter, Steve Pokin, of the story in suburban St.Louis. Readers Respond in Force to Story on MySpace Suicide
Some of you have asked your children to read the story and have requested/demanded to look at their MySpace pages.Of course, there has been outrage over the fact that Josh Evans – a 16-year-old who never existed – was created not by a teen, but by an adult. That anger is reflected in the comments posted on the Journal’s Web sites.
The comments on both pieces were mostly of the “WTF” variety.
DBKP, because we were the first in the blogosphere to pick up on this story, was contacted early yesterday morning by FoxNews from New York.
Read rest of story:
MySpace Suicide Reactions: Outrage! Outrage! Outrage!
Sources:
MySpace Suicide Reactions: Outrage! Outrage! Outrage!
MySpace Cruel Prank Leads to Teen’s Suicide
Readers Respond in Force to Story on MySpace Suicide
Girl Commits Suicide Over Internet Prank by ADULTS–Who is Responsible?
Mondoreb blogs at Death By 1000 Papercuts. Interested readers can e-mail him at
mondoreb@gmail.com.
Editors Note: A number of comments on this story have been removed. While we by no means condone the actions of this family, for legal and ethical reasons we will not publish their street address or phone number.
14 users commented in " MySpace Suicide Reactions: Outrage! Outrage! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWhat is your purpose in posting a link to this woman’s name? Are you trying to encourage vigilantism? Meagan’s death was tragic. Tragic does not equal criminal. This woman hasn’t committed a crime – acted childishly and irresponsibly yes but that’s not a crime either.
Virginia, stop trying to stick up for her. Or should I call you Lori?
Sometimes, things that aren’t considered crimes by our laws are morally much worse and more disgusting than those considered crimes. I’d say Lori Drew is worse than some of the those who have committed what are considered crimes under US law (I’d say she deserves to be outed much more than someone who was convicted for drug usage and who has only hurt himself, for example). She deserves much worse than what has come her way.
Virginia, your comment doesn’t even make sense. If your concern is vigilantism, per se, would that not apply even if Drew were accused or convicted of a criminal offense related to Meier’s death?
Looking at Drews actions in the light most favorable to her, they are indeed vile. They shock the conscience. She deserves all the shame and loss of reputation attendant with her acts. It’s unclear to me why you feel her identity, so long as it is accurate, should be shielded.
In point of fact, the parents could take legal action against her for her intentional, and in this case malicious, contribution to the emotional distress of a young girl with peculiar vulnerabilities ( that were known to Lori Drew.) I think a public shaming and call to account for her actions is perfectly appropriate.
She deserves loss of reputation and should have to atone in some way for her acts of malice.
Far from advocating harassment or vigilantism, I say she should be sued by the parents an shunned by everyone else. You know her very livelihood, the business she owns, requires her to sell an image of ethical dealing on the internet. For me, her abuse of internet services with the admitted assistance of one of her employees is grounds to think twice about having any business dealings with her. A person who would act in such a way is not to be trusted to behave ethically.
Virginia is smokin the crack pipe.
Does she really not think these “adults” shouldnt be held accountable for their role in the poor girls death??!!
She should be stuck in jail right alongside them for siding with them.
WHAT MEDS WAS MEGAN TAKING?????
Who IS responsible…
how about the profiteers that sell
suicide-pills?
Too young to be so alone.
R.I.P.
Virginia, the only reason the actions are not definitively criminal in nature is that the laws aren’t set up to manage cyber issues very well.
The same issues arose with stalking and phone harassment, eventually both sets of legal precedents came down strongly on the side of the victims. The biggest reason the single mother in question is not being arrested is merely due to when this occurred – because in 3-5 years, it will be criminal.
The other reason is that a small town municipality’s legal group will not have the resources to go to trial on a case that has such complex issues. A case like this will go to trial at some point and it will run all the way up the appeals ladders I suspect to get to the final end point.
It already comes very close to harassment and slander. This could easily end up in a civil judgment where the burden of proof is much lower.
“Childishly and irresponsibly” are both behaviors that don’t have to be but definitely can be criminal. Think of the kids who break a window with a baseball – that’s damage to property. Think of toilet papering a house – vandalism. On and on…
Having suidicial thoughts or taking medication doesn’t mean that your life is less valuable or that someone is less guilty for their horrible actions.
“Vengence is mine, saith the LORD. I will repay.”
Funny it doesn’t say, “I might repay.” it says, “I WILL repay.”
God will take care of this situation since the authorities either won’t or can’t.
What will He do? That is not for me and you to know… He knows what will be best. One thing I do know… God gives back BIGGER than what we give whether it is good or bad…
The Bible says if you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind…
I do not know who is responsible for this horrible thing, but God does and He cares and He will work it all out.
As details about Lori Drew’s 6 week cyber-voyeur techniques emerged, the more I am convinced that outing this kind of behavior is not only right, but essential. Essential? Really?
It is becoming clearer everyday that Lori Drew employed many of the same grooming techniques that child predators utilize to charm their way into gaining a child’s trust. The most significant key here is that Lori Drew spent approximately 6 full weeks baiting Megan into this trust by posing as a “cute” boy that Megan would be attracted to.
Right here, Drew utilizes the sexual stimulation that exists in male/female pair bonding in order to manipulate the 13 year old girl.
Lori Drew groomed her victim like many child predators do, enticing her with flirtation, mild sexual conversation and playing on Megan’s weakness. Lori knew that Megan had a low self esteem and was treated for depression.
There are uncanny parallels between the typical Child Predator MOA and those utilized by Lori Drew to control and manipulate Megan in the relationship Lori developed with her.
Outing Child Predators has been public policy in most states and is usually upheld under the premise that the public has a right to reasonably protect itself from criminal behavior where it exists. Families with children have a right to know when those who might prey upon their child, live nearby. Public policy dictates that if a child is exposed to potential harm from predatory activity, then parents should at least have the opportunity to be aware such harm may exist.
But what if a child predator confesses to a crime, but is never convicted? Does the potential for risk exist despite the legal process?
Thus far, details in the case have been heavily supported by Lori Drew’s own admissions, police records and interviews. The amount of speculation in this case has been minimal, and the majority of public outrage has largely focused on the facts presented.
The Missouri Public Records Act of 1961 was enacted partially to inform the public of persons, events, proceedings and reports that may effect the public directly. The records (such as the charges Lori Drew filed against the Meier family), were the principal documents used to tie Lori Drew to her abhorrent acts. By filing this police report, Lori in effect put herself into the spot light. The Blogging community simply connected the dots and reported the results.
The Vice enjoys the sharp irony that Lori Drew’s own actions, activities and zeal to hurt someone eventually lead to her own uncovering. As I see it, public policy laws and Lori Drew’s own manipulations of those laws worked to her undoing. The Vice is appreciative for Lori Drew’s assistance in these efforts.
Danny Vice
http://weeklyvice.blogspot.com
I think what’s going on is bizzarre and i think the parents who created the myspace account claiming they were a non existing person “josh evans” should be held accountable for Megan Meier’s suicide. A law stating crual intentions should be passed she was basically murdered she was driven to suicide and i dont understand how these adults can be so immature this is really tragic and most of all its aggrevating and disturbing !!!!!!!!
Yes, what they did was a mean prank, but that was all it was – a prank. Why are people so harsh to blame somebody else for a person whom takes their own life? Somebody always wants to blame somebody else for a suicide other than that person. If she was unstable, it would only have been a matter of time anyway. I am not trying to be cruel or stick up for the people involved with creating the fictitious account, but I just don’t see how you can call for these people’s heads because of somebody else’s insecurity/issues in life. Our society has become so “sensitive” that you can’t do or say anything in fear that some idiot will either sue or kill themself over something so stupid. What happened to having a backbone and instead of crying and killing yourself just stick up for yourself? Was I mortified after hearing the story? – absolutely, it was definitely in bad taste and judgment to do what they did, but they definitely did not ‘murder’ this girl. Maybe what we should focus on is better help for kids who are depressed, insecure, and issues they may have instead of just playing a ‘blame’ game.
This is just the most insane bazarre judgement one can imagine. May God help these poor parents of the suicidal girl to set laws for proper judgement. Sincerely Joyce C Hoover
KAYLEE–
HOW CAN U JUST WRITE THIS OFF AS A PRANK WHEN IT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A CHILD? BOTTOM LINE- THESE WERE ADULTS THAT PLAYED A PRANK ON A CHILD—AN ADULT!!! AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THEIR ACTIONS. I DONT CARE IF THEY DIDN’T PUT A GUN TO MEGAN’S HEAD, THEY MIGHT AS WELL HAVE PULLED THE TRIGGER. AND KNOWING THAT MEGAN HAD ISSUES AND STILL PURSUING THIS PRANK JUST SO THEY COULD MONITOR WHAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTER ON MYSPACE?!! ARE U KIDDING ME- THIS IS DISGUSTING AND I PUT ALL THE BLAME ON LORI AND HER SICK AND TWISTED WAY OF THINKING. THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR EVERY ACTION AND LORI AND HER FAMILY NEED TO TAKE THEIRS. THEY CANNOT RIDE OUT OF THIS SCOTT-FREE. THEY SHOULD FEEL GUILT AND REMORSE BECAUSE IT IS UNJUST TO BE SO CRUEL TO A CHILD–THIS WAS ONLY A CHILD. REMEMBER THAT.
All I can say is watch what your kids do online and parents need to grow up!
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