Ex-cop accused of catfishing teen, then killing her family in California
A former California police officer is accused of catfishing a 15-year-old girl online and then killing her and her family in a murder-suicide.
What happened?
Christopher Dorner, 33, was found dead in a burned-out cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains on February 12, 2013, after a two-week manhunt. He had been shot by police and had apparently set the cabin on fire himself.
Dorner is accused of killing Monica Quan, 39, a Riverside police dispatcher, and her parents, Keith Quan, 62, and Susan Quan, 60, at their home in Irvine, California, on February 3, 2013. He is also accused of shooting at two police officers in Corona, California, on February 7, 2013, injuring one of them.
What is catfishing?
Catfishing is a type of online deception in which a person creates a fake online identity and uses it to trick other people into forming relationships with them. Catfishers often use stolen photos and other personal information to create their fake identities.
How did the ex-cop catfish the teen?
Dorner is accused of using a fake online identity to catfish the 15-year-old girl. He allegedly met the girl online and posed as a 23-year-old man named Matthew Reyes. The two of them began an online relationship, and Dorner eventually convinced the girl to meet him in person.
When the girl met Dorner in person, he allegedly took her to his apartment and sexually assaulted her. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone what had happened.
Why did the ex-cop kill the teen’s family?
Dorner is accused of killing the teenager’s family because he believed that they knew about the sexual assault and that they were planning to report him to the police. He allegedly shot the three of them to death in their home on February 3, 2013.
What happened after the murders?
Dorner went into hiding after the murders. He was spotted several times in the following days, but he managed to evade police capture. On February 7, 2013, he allegedly shot at two police officers in Corona, California, injuring one of them.
On February 12, 2013, Dorner was tracked down by police to a cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains. He was shot by police and apparently set the cabin on fire himself. His body was found inside the burned-out cabin.
Conclusion
The case of Christopher Dorner is a tragic example of the dangers of online predators. Catfishing is a serious problem, and it is important to be aware of the risks involved when interacting with strangers online. If you or someone you know is being catfished, please report it to the authorities.
