Many would agree that the internet could be considered a double-edge sword. As useful as it is, it can also do significant damage, specifically social media. While it can be hard not to, it’s important to avoid oversharing, as you never know what kind of crazy people are lurking in the corners of the world wide web. Take for example, the three people mentioned below, who were so triggered by their use of social media, that they committed murder.
Confrontation. In 2009, Rachel Wade stabbed Sarah Ludemann because they were both reportedly involved with the same man, Joshua Camacho. The pair had been threatening one another for months before eventually, Wade stabbed Ludemann in the heart during a confrontation.
MySpace. It all started when Wade grew upset that Ludemann had posted a photo of her and Camacho at the beach on her MySpace page. Wade insisted that Ludemann take the photo down, but when she refused, things got out of hand. The pair then began threatening each other over social media, texts, and voicemails.
Threats. “Please tell me Sarah why you would be a dumb-a** c**t and put a brand new picture of you and Josh at the beach on your MySpace. Seriously, I told you to watch your f***ing back and not to f***ing chill with him. I’m guaranteeing you that I’m going to f***ing murder you, I’m letting you know that now,” said one of the voicemails that Wade left her nemesis.
Knife. One evening in April of 2009 however, those threats became a reality. The pair met up at Camacho’s home, and began to fight. Wade had a knife in her hand, and began to swing it at Ludemann. Unfortunately, it hit her in the chest, directly into her heart.
Self-defense. Ludemann died several hours after being stabbed, and as a result, Wade was sentenced to 27 years behind bars. To this day, Wade maintains she stabbed Ludemann out of self defense, but says she regrets the way things played out that fateful evening.
Facebook. In 2009, a man brutally murdered his estranged wife after she’d changed her Facebook status from “married” to “single.” Upset, 41-year-old Edward Richardson began to bombard 26-year-old Sarah Richardson with text messages.
Attack. According to the Independent UK, Sarah had gone to live with her parents after she and her ex separated. When she wouldn’t respond to Richardson’s texts, Richardson decided to hunt her down at her parent’s home, attacking her with a knife.
Breaking in. “He gained entry by breaking the front door window and made his way into the property. Once inside he found Sarah in her bedroom and subjected her to a frenzied and brutal attack with a knife and then attempted to take his own life,” said attorney Fiona Cortese, as reported by the Independent UK.
Marriage. Friends and family say that Richardson had a hard time accepting the fact that his marriage was over. Unfortunately, Sarah paid the ultimate price. Richardson was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 18 years behind bars.
Consequence. “The consequence was that Sarah lost her life in a brutal attack at her husband’s hands in her family home. The verdict cannot bring Sarah back but we hope that it gives her family some form of comfort,” said Detective Inspector Andy Wall, as reported by the Independent UK.
Forbidden. In 2008, an Arizona teen was arrested after he murdered his dad in their Arizona home. According to reports, a then 15-year-old Hughstan Schlicker was upset that his dad had forbidden him from using MySpace, which he says was the only way he could contact friends.
Shot. Frustrated, the teen initially considered suicide after finding his father’s gun, but a friend eventually talked him out of it. Instead, he crept up on his dad while he was in the kitchen and shot him in the back of the head. He was charged with first-degree murder after calling police himself and confessing.
Police. ”The defendant first called his friend and told her what he had done. He told her he was going to kill himself but she told him not to. She convinced him to call the police and deal with the situation,” read a police report from the incident, reports Fox News.
Abuse. Schlicker’s sister Laurajean later alleged that their father had physically abused her for years before his death. It’s unclear whether or not her statement was used in court during her brother’s trial, although a probation officer would later deem her “manipulative.”
Environment. “Her home environment was the same home environment that he grew up in. The circumstances seem to suggest you’re going to uncover an extremely abusive upbringing,” said attorney Richard Gierloff, as reported by the East Valley Tribune.
