Lori Drew, along with an employee, Ashley Grills, created the fictional MySpace personality Josh Evans, with which she developed an online relationship with her neighbor, 13-year-old Megan Meier. The online relationship became abusive in the fall of 2006, and following a breakup, Megan hung herself in her bedroom closet.
In the aftermath of Meier's death, Drew and her husband have been the subject of threats and harassment. Since the release of Drew's identity, prank calls have been made, including one where someone called the police falsely claiming a shooting had taken place in the Drew household. Another person obtained the password to Drew's voicemail and recorded a "disturbing" message for callers to hear. In December, a brick was thrown into a window at her home.
Neighbors reportedly have "shunned" the Drew family, with one neighbor exclaiming "I just really hope that no one comes out here and does something insane. If they do, I hope they get the right house."
Fast Facts:
- Harassment has been both real-world, and virtual
- DA stated no charges will be filed against Ms. Drew
- Legislation has since been enacted to prevent online harassment in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
Lori Drew Attacks News and Information
- Wikipedia: Megan Meier suicide controversy
- Google News: Lori Drew Attacks
- CBS News: Family Scorned For MySpace Hoax (December 6, 2007)
- "It's like they used to do in the 1700s and 1800s. If you wronged a community, you were basically shunned. That's basically what happened to her," said Trever Buckles, a 40-year-old who lives next door to the Drews.
- Tucson Citizen: "Why a Free Press?: Should journalists heed the cyber-mob?" (December 1, 2007)
- Salem-News.Com: Virtual Vigilantes Hold the Watch... (November 29, 2007)
- St. Louis News: Broken Lives on Waterford Crystal Drive (November 28, 2007)
- Wired.com: Cyberbullying Suicide Stokes the Internet Fury Machine (November 21, 2007)
Lori Drew Attacks Blogs and Commentaries
Google Blog Search: Lori Drew Attacks
Zimbio: Cyberbullying and Vigilante Justice Online... - Megan Meier (November 26, 2007)
Megan Meier Vigilantes: Where is the Rest of the Story? (November 22, 2007)
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