Residents of the middle-class subdivision have turned against the neighbor, Lori Drew, and her family, demanding the Drews move out. In interviews, they have warned darkly that someone might be tempted to "take matters into their own hands."
Last December, after neighbors learned of the Internet hoax, someone threw a brick through a window in the Drew home. A few weeks ago, someone made a prank call to police reporting that there had been a shooting inside the Drews' house, prompting squad cars to arrive with sirens flashing.
Someone recently obtained the password to change the Drews' outgoing cell phone recording, and replaced it with a disturbing message. Police would not detail the content.
Clients have fled from Drew's home-based advertising business, so she had to close it. Neighbors have not seen Drew outside her home in weeks.
Death threats and ugly insults have been hurled at Drew over the Internet, where she has been portrayed as a monster who should go to prison, lose custody of her children, or worse. Her name and address have been posted online, and a Web site with satellite images of the home said the Drews should "rot in hell."
"I just really hope that no one comes out here and does something insane," Buckles [a neighbor] said. "If they do, I hope they get the right house."
(This next paragraph has perhaps the most bitterly funny use of understatement I have ever seen in my life.)
Ron and Tina Meier's home is four houses away from the Drews. The sidewalk is curved, so the neighbors can't see each other from their front doors. The breach between the once-friendly families seems beyond repair.
Y'think?
[Another neighbor] McIntyre fondly remembered another guest - Megan. She came across the street to baby-sit McIntyre's 4-year-old daughter Genna and arrived with a clipboard and notes, determined to do the job right. He said the activity was good for Megan, who suffered from depression for years.
"She was a good kid," McIntyre said.
On Oct. 16, 2006, there was a heated online exchange between Megan and Ashley, who was posing as Josh. A few other MySpace users joined in, calling Megan names. It ended when "Josh" said the world would be better off without Megan.
It just breaks my heart, that's all...it breaks my heart.
2 comments:
I'd feel bad for the Drews, except for you know- fucking KARMA bitchez!
I have to wonder how Mrs. Drew feels about all this online harassment. Does she feel unfairly targeted or does she have enough brain space to realize that this is what happens when you're an abusive , manipulative bitch to a depressed teenager.
I wonder whether it might not have been better if charges could have been pressed against Drew & Co.
Because it seems to me what's fueling this "harrassment" is caused by the perception that they escaped justice, as well as the original indefensibly stupid offense.
To me the whole thing is just a tragedy no matter which way you look.
Post a Comment