A Case Of Catfishing: The Winek Family Murders

On Thanksgiving weekend 2022, residents in a small cul-de-sac in Riverside, California, noticed a red Kia Soul driving around the area. The driver would get out and walk around for a while before driving off. Neighbours thought it strange and contacted the police. Little did anyone know, just a few hours later, a house would be up in flames and the police would be on the hunt for a murderer and kidnapper.

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[eonianomega]

"Infiltrate" the police department? They threw down a welcome mat and invited him in. That's why Virginia State Police said "he didn't ever display red flags."

[lialovett]

If someone is legally banned from owning a firearm, should it not be illegal for them to be hired for a profession that requires them to own one?!?! WTH

[Una...]

"Attempted to kidnap her". He *did* kidnap her. That reporter needs to understand that words actually matter.
You did such a respectful video, truly.

[Kisha_can]

So good to know that people are being accepted into the academy with, not just giant red flags, but blinding flashing red lights with sirens saying, "Do not arm this man, he isn't sane!"

[randomcloverr]

20:41 "We don't even feel comfortable affiliating him with law enforcement" What a joke of a response to murders enabled directly through use of police credentials.

[blckber]

To the neighbor, your an absolute hero. So many cases people witness such obvious abnormal situations and not until much later when interviewd by police they say things such as "yes i seen a teenage girl screaming getting dragged into a van" or
"I heard gun shots and seen a suspicious man leaving the house directly after with blood all over his clothes" .
Never calling police, never mentioning it until asked.
The neighbors in this horrific tragedy was dilligent and saved that girls life.

[Kayla-wyvx]

This is one of the most insane stories I've heard in a while. Horrific.

[ellethegenie]

This man didn't "infiltrate" the police department, he was accepted into it. It's the fact that the police departments take ZERO accountability for this that infuriates me.

[princessofhardrock]

This case is horrifying! The fact that he blacked out the windows of his home and did who knows what to his basement tells me that he had some frightening plans for these girls he met online! What a monster! I hope the family wins their case against VA, as law enforcement should have the most thorough background checks! It wasn’t human error that he was hired, red flags were seen and purposefully pushed aside. It doesn’t matter how “nice” he is! I hope the family can find peace!

[sfcitygirl]

This one hit me really hard. When I was younger, I was that 14-year-old girl chatting with online strangers and meeting with some of them. It breaks my heart to realize I not only put myself in danger but also my family's life. It's so important to educate kids early on how to use the Internet and social media so horrific incidents like this can be prevented.

[minini]

I don’t understand how these psychos are allowed into law enforcement. Are we that desperate?

[c.o]

That poor girl is going to feel responsible forever for bringing that man into their lives. I feel so sorry for her. She will never get past that guilt.

[ASoniaM]

He choose that profession, for no other reason, than to gain the community's trust and then make it so that young girls, and their family members, would trust him, as he entered their respective homes to kidnap their teenaged daughter. Such a vile demon. Smh.

[gordonaliasme]

I live in England where Sarah Everard was abducted and murdered by a police detective. It was a tragic case, and destroyed faith in the police. A memorial service to her was disrupted by police. Disgusting.

[LeopardusFelinae]

Oh. My. God.
Yet he was able to get in, and even completed the academy!!!
Imagine how many of those "best and chosen" sheriff deputies have been running around to this day.
This story is awful from A to Z
Law enforcement corruption is nothing new, regardless, it's blood-boiling.
I feel so sorry for the family and wishing healing to the victims' family 🖤❤️

[michhaynes]

This is crazy and there seems to be no repercussions for the agency involved! How the hell do you give a gun and badge to a man who isn't even allowed to buy his own! This is ridiculous! My heart goes out to the family, this should not have happened.

[ohhkayy]

Wow. The VA state police failed MONUMENTALLY. It's astonishing. Gross negligence is a horrific understatement. Thank God for small miracles as both children survived.

[xshymex]

These people died for no reason at all, so sad

[sabinasabina]

So a man who can't own a firearm legally is given a badge and firearm by the police. On what planet does that make sense! I really hope the family gets every dollar of that lawsuit.

[SerenDipity]

That poor family and their animals. How awful that the daughter has lost everyone. I hope she has support from all the services. So, sad and evil.