Lawsuit filed in Austin Lee Edwards kidnapping, murder spree
Share and Follow

A Virginia deputy met a 15-year-old girl online, traveled across the country, illegally gained access to her residence in California, killed three members of her family, set fire to their home, kidnapped the girl, and then killed himself during a shootout with other members of law enforcement. Now, the surviving family has filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s department that hired him just days before the massacre.

In July 2021, Austin Lee Edwards was hired by the Virginia State Police. In January 2022, he graduated from the police academy. In October of last year, he quit his first job in law enforcement. On Nov. 16, 2022, he was hired by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

On Nov. 25, 2022, Edwards brutally murdered Mark Winek, 69, Sharon “Sharie” Winek, 65, and Brooke Winek, 38. The girl, Brooke Winek’s daughter, was ultimately rescued, but the scars and trauma remain.

“Edwards never should have been hired by the Sheriff’s Department,” lead attorney David Ring told Law&Crime. “He was barred by the courts from owning or possessing a gun because of his mental illness and because he was a clear danger to the community. He used his position as a sheriff’s deputy and the gun they gave him to kill these innocent victims.”

Share and Follow
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Judge Denies Motion to Move Chad Daybell’s Trial Back to Fremont County

The judge overseeing the case of Chad Daybell this week denied the…

Colorado Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Child Abuse Death of 9-Month-Old Girl

A Colorado man convicted in October of killing a 9-month-old baby has…

Men Confess to 1998 Murder of Vulnerable Texas Teen "Basically Used For Target Practice"

A vulnerable 19-year-old seeking independence vanished while bicycling to her job at…

Sony Josaphat charged with murdering newlywed couple

A man allegedly shot to death a newlywed nurse and her pastor…

Catholic Priest Killed in Rectory Break-in at His Nebraska Church

A Roman Catholic priest in Nebraska was stabbed to death early Sunday…

Rafael Romero arrested for murder in death of Lizbeth Medina

Texas Rangers on Saturday arrested a man they say murdered a 16-year-old…

‘Grinch’: Florida Mom Allegedly Lied About Her Children’s Stolen Christmas Gifts

A Florida woman has been arrested after she allegedly lied about her…

Arrest Made in Murder of Texas High School Cheerleader Lizbeth Medina

Authorities on Sunday said they’ve caught the man suspected of murdering Texas…