MySpace Mom Leads Teen to Suicide
In the course of growing up, new friendships are formed and old ones are abandoned. When 13-year-old Megan Meier switched to a new school and no longer wanted to hang out with her previous pal, the mom of the spurned girl couldn't take it in stride and instead sought revenge. In a high-tech version of the infamous cheerleader mom, the 47-year-old Lori Drew crafted an online persona via MySpace, masquerading as a 16-year-old boy named Josh. Knowing that Megan was taking antidepressants and had been having a difficult time emotionally, Drew sought to exploit her vulnerability. Drew's alter ego Josh set out to win the affections of Megan, with the intention of breaking her heart. And that 'he' did. To tragic results.
On October 16, 2006, 13-year-old Megan Meier, who loved volleyball and a boy named Josh, hung herself in her bedroom closet after receiving a message from 'Josh' telling her "'The world would be a better place without you".
According to The New York Times, details of the crime were kept quiet for a year while FBI officials investigated. Now that details are being released, folks are outraged. And rightfully so. Because while Megan Meier will never serve another volleyball, or have another boyfriend, or celebrate her 14th birthday, Lori Drew walks free.
Update: On May 15, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Lori Drew and unnamed co-conspirators.
why isn’t she held responsible for megan’s death. she should be. she egged the girl on and caused to want to commit suicide.
The federal “Violence Against Women Act” has several recent revisions concerning cyber-stalking by an anonymous individual using the internet and it could and SHOULD be used to prosecute Lori Drew’s stalking of Megan Meier.
This case disturbs even the deepest parts of my humanity. To say this is beyond a normal human being ability to grasp is an understatement. The wrongs with this event are to great to even name a few. In a day when you would think that citizens of the U.S. would unite together to show the world how strong we are, instead there are parents that would go to such, in all meaning of the word—insane, measures to get revenge for her daughter because her friend moved away…The level of unthinkable events is only surpassed by the fact that no criminal charges are being sought…I know Im not the only one that thinks this is out of this world ridiculous…to say less than the least.