Web hoax leads to death - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dean Winchester · 11-16-2007, 10:59 PM

DARDENNE PRAIRIE, Mo. —
Megan Meier thought she had made a new friend in cyberspace when a cute teenage boy named Josh contacted her on MySpace and began exchanging messages with her.

Megan, a 13-year-old who suffered from depression and attention deficit disorder, corresponded with Josh for more than a month before he abruptly ended their friendship, telling her he had heard she was cruel.

The next day Megan committed suicide. Her family learned later that Josh never actually existed; he was created by members of a neighborhood family that included a former friend of Megan's.

Now Megan's parents hope the people who made the fraudulent profile on the social networking Web site will be prosecuted, and they are seeking legal changes to safeguard children on the Internet.

The girl's mother, Tina Meier, said she doesn't think anyone involved intended for her daughter to kill herself.

"But when adults are involved and continue to screw with a 13-year-old, with or without mental problems, it is absolutely vile," she told the Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis, which first reported on the case.

Tina Meier said law enforcement officials told her the case did not fit into any law. But sheriff's officials have not closed the case and pledged to consider new evidence if it emerges.

Megan Meier hanged herself in her bedroom on Oct. 16, 2006, and died the next day. She was described as a "bubbly, goofy" girl who loved hanging out with her friends, watching movies and fishing with her dad.

Megan had been on medication, but had been upbeat before her death, her mother said, after striking up a relationship on MySpace with Josh Evans about six weeks before her death.

Josh told her he was born in Florida and had recently moved to the nearby community of O'Fallon. He said he was homeschooled, and didn't yet have a phone number in the area to give her.

Megan's parents said she received a message from him on Oct. 15 of last year, essentially saying he didn't want to be her friend anymore, that he had heard she wasn't nice to her friends.

The next day, as Megan's mother headed out the door to take another daughter to the orthodontist, she knew Megan was upset about Internet messages. She asked Megan to log off. Users on MySpace must be at least 14, though Megan was not when she opened her account. A MySpace spokeswoman did not return calls seeking comment.

Someone using Josh's account was sending cruel messages. Then, Megan called her mother, saying electronic bulletins were being posted about her, saying things like, "Megan Meier is a slut. Megan Meier is fat."

Megan's mother, who monitored her daughter's online communications, returned home and said she was shocked at the vulgar language her own daughter was sending. She told her daughter how upset she was about it.

Megan ran upstairs, and her father, Ron, tried to tell her everything would be fine. About 20 minutes later, she was found in her bedroom. She died the next day.

Her father said he found a message the next day from Josh, which he said law enforcement authorities have not been able to retrieve. It told the girl she was a bad person and the world would be better without her, he has said.

Another parent, who learned of the MySpace account from her own daughter who had access to the Josh profile, told Megan's parents about the hoax in a counselor's office about six weeks after Megan died. That's when they learned Josh was imaginary, they said.

The woman who created the fake profile has not been charged with a crime. She allegedly told the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department she created Josh's profile because she wanted to gain Megan's confidence to know what Megan was saying about her own child online.

The mother from down the street told police that she, her daughter and another person all typed and monitored the communication between the fictitious boy and Megan.

A person who answered the door at the family's house told an Associated Press reporter on Friday afternoon that they had been advised not to comment.

Megan's parents had been storing a foosball table for the family that created the MySpace character. Six weeks after Megan's death, they learned the other family had created the profile and responded by destroying the foosball table, dumping it on the neighbors' driveway and encouraging them to move away.

Megan's parents are now separated and plan to divorce.

Aldermen in Dardenne Prairie, a community of about 7,000 residents about 35 miles from St. Louis, have proposed a new ordinance related to child endangerment and Internet harassment. It could come before city leaders on Wednesday.

"Is this enough?" Mayor Pam Fogarty said Friday. "No, not by any stretch of the imagination, but it's something, and you have to start somewhere."

Dean Winchester · 11-16-2007, 11:00 PM

I hope the mother of that other girl rots in hell. What the hell kind of parent is that? Disgusting

Ireneparalegal · 11-16-2007, 11:03 PM

F***ing pathetic bastards!!!!!!!

Poor girl and her family. What a loss.

Hollow · 11-16-2007, 11:11 PM

well, i hope those selfish idiots are really proud of themselves.

Mr. Television · 11-16-2007, 11:11 PM

Their are some awful people in this world.

That poor girl.

Chelsea · 11-16-2007, 11:15 PM

Un. Freakin. Believable.

Adamantium · 11-16-2007, 11:22 PM

Of course I never met Megan but I want this on the internet.

Megan Meier was a good person and the world is NOT better without her.

James"Thunder"Early · 11-16-2007, 11:35 PM

Terrible, just terrible. It's sick and unbelievable that a parent would behave that way.

ABlairican Pie · 11-16-2007, 11:37 PM

I hope these idiot parents who pushed another girl over the edge by messing with her mind have this rest on their consciences forever. May the consequences be swift and severe.

Mikado · 11-16-2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

well, i hope those selfish idiots are really proud of themselves.

Yeah really...and adult woman should know better! I hope they can find SOEMTHING to charge her with......like a cattle prod!

Mikado · 11-16-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Of course I never met Megan but I want this on the internet.

Megan Meier was a good person and the world is NOT better without her.

Beautifully said Adam

dawsongirl · 11-16-2007, 11:42 PM

I agree. Look at all the **** she has caused.

Let's bully a 13 year old because that's what all "mature" adults do.

****ing bitch. I hope you meet someone on the internet and he rapes and eats you. You don't deserve to live.

Mikado · 11-16-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Of course I never met Megan but I want this on the internet.

Megan Meier was a good person and the world is NOT better without her.

Ive decided to take your idea and run with it....I dont usually have or want a Signature, but, for this week, i dedicate a siggy to Megan Meier VVVVV
(thx Adam)

Ireneparalegal · 11-16-2007, 11:50 PM

MEGAN MEIER REST IN PEACE...

Adamantium · 11-17-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

Ive decided to take your idea and run with it....I dont usually have or want a Signature, but, for this week, i dedicate a siggy to Megan Meier VVVVV
(thx Adam)

That's great.

11-16-2007, 10:59 PM	#1
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	Web hoax leads to death DARDENNE PRAIRIE, Mo. — Megan Meier thought she had made a new friend in cyberspace when a cute teenage boy named Josh contacted her on MySpace and began exchanging messages with her. Megan, a 13-year-old who suffered from depression and attention deficit disorder, corresponded with Josh for more than a month before he abruptly ended their friendship, telling her he had heard she was cruel. The next day Megan committed suicide. Her family learned later that Josh never actually existed; he was created by members of a neighborhood family that included a former friend of Megan's. Now Megan's parents hope the people who made the fraudulent profile on the social networking Web site will be prosecuted, and they are seeking legal changes to safeguard children on the Internet. The girl's mother, Tina Meier, said she doesn't think anyone involved intended for her daughter to kill herself. "But when adults are involved and continue to screw with a 13-year-old, with or without mental problems, it is absolutely vile," she told the Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis, which first reported on the case. Tina Meier said law enforcement officials told her the case did not fit into any law. But sheriff's officials have not closed the case and pledged to consider new evidence if it emerges. Megan Meier hanged herself in her bedroom on Oct. 16, 2006, and died the next day. She was described as a "bubbly, goofy" girl who loved hanging out with her friends, watching movies and fishing with her dad. Megan had been on medication, but had been upbeat before her death, her mother said, after striking up a relationship on MySpace with Josh Evans about six weeks before her death. Josh told her he was born in Florida and had recently moved to the nearby community of O'Fallon. He said he was homeschooled, and didn't yet have a phone number in the area to give her. Megan's parents said she received a message from him on Oct. 15 of last year, essentially saying he didn't want to be her friend anymore, that he had heard she wasn't nice to her friends. The next day, as Megan's mother headed out the door to take another daughter to the orthodontist, she knew Megan was upset about Internet messages. She asked Megan to log off. Users on MySpace must be at least 14, though Megan was not when she opened her account. A MySpace spokeswoman did not return calls seeking comment. Someone using Josh's account was sending cruel messages. Then, Megan called her mother, saying electronic bulletins were being posted about her, saying things like, "Megan Meier is a slut. Megan Meier is fat." Megan's mother, who monitored her daughter's online communications, returned home and said she was shocked at the vulgar language her own daughter was sending. She told her daughter how upset she was about it. Megan ran upstairs, and her father, Ron, tried to tell her everything would be fine. About 20 minutes later, she was found in her bedroom. She died the next day. Her father said he found a message the next day from Josh, which he said law enforcement authorities have not been able to retrieve. It told the girl she was a bad person and the world would be better without her, he has said. Another parent, who learned of the MySpace account from her own daughter who had access to the Josh profile, told Megan's parents about the hoax in a counselor's office about six weeks after Megan died. That's when they learned Josh was imaginary, they said. The woman who created the fake profile has not been charged with a crime. She allegedly told the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department she created Josh's profile because she wanted to gain Megan's confidence to know what Megan was saying about her own child online. The mother from down the street told police that she, her daughter and another person all typed and monitored the communication between the fictitious boy and Megan. A person who answered the door at the family's house told an Associated Press reporter on Friday afternoon that they had been advised not to comment. Megan's parents had been storing a foosball table for the family that created the MySpace character. Six weeks after Megan's death, they learned the other family had created the profile and responded by destroying the foosball table, dumping it on the neighbors' driveway and encouraging them to move away. Megan's parents are now separated and plan to divorce. Aldermen in Dardenne Prairie, a community of about 7,000 residents about 35 miles from St. Louis, have proposed a new ordinance related to child endangerment and Internet harassment. It could come before city leaders on Wednesday. "Is this enough?" Mayor Pam Fogarty said Friday. "No, not by any stretch of the imagination, but it's something, and you have to start somewhere."

11-16-2007, 11:03 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	F***ing pathetic bastards!!!!!!! Poor girl and her family. What a loss.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

11-16-2007, 11:11 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Their are some awful people in this world. That poor girl.
	__________________ Sonny

11-16-2007, 11:15 PM	#6
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Un. Freakin. Believable.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

11-16-2007, 11:35 PM	#8
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	Terrible, just terrible. It's sick and unbelievable that a parent would behave that way.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

11-16-2007, 11:00 PM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I hope the mother of that other girl rots in hell. What the hell kind of parent is that? Disgusting

11-16-2007, 11:11 PM	#4
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	well, i hope those selfish idiots are really proud of themselves.

11-16-2007, 11:22 PM	#7
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	Of course I never met Megan but I want this on the internet. Megan Meier was a good person and the world is NOT better without her.

11-16-2007, 11:37 PM	#9
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I hope these idiot parents who pushed another girl over the edge by messing with her mind have this rest on their consciences forever. May the consequences be swift and severe.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

11-16-2007, 11:42 PM	#12
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,134	I agree. Look at all the ** she has caused. Let's bully a 13 year old because that's what all "mature" adults do. **ing bitch. I hope you meet someone on the internet and he rapes and eats you. You don't deserve to live.

11-16-2007, 11:50 PM	#14
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	MEGAN MEIER REST IN PEACE...