Authorities in Virginia mentioned Wednesday that “human error” led to the hiring of a former state trooper accused of killing a California household after he “catfished” their teenage relative.
In a press release, Virginia State Police mentioned an administrative evaluate discovered “human error resulted in an incomplete database question” throughout the hiring course of for Austin Edwards, 28. Police did not present particulars concerning the error.
“Though we imagine this to be an remoted incident, steps are at present underway to make sure the error shouldn’t be repeated going ahead,” the assertion mentioned. “The division can be proactively auditing current personnel information and practices.”
The assertion added that Edwards did not disclose something that may have disqualified him from the job.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Instances reported {that a} police report confirmed that Edwards threatened to kill his father and himself in 2016 and was detained for a psychiatric analysis.
NBC Information has not confirmed the small print of the report, and Wednesday’s police assertion did not deal with the matter.
Extra protection of ex-trooper accused of ‘catfishing’ a teen and killing her household
Virginia State Police beforehand mentioned a background examine discovered no “indicators of concern” when Edwards was employed. He graduated from the state police academy on Jan. 21 and resigned Oct. 28.
Month-to-month efficiency evaluations required for all sworn personnel discovered Edwards’ habits did not set off any administrative or inner investigations, Wednesday’s assertion mentioned.
The police company has declined to say why he resigned, citing a state legislation barring it from discussing personnel issues. The company denied a public information request from NBC Information in search of personnel information.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Workplace, the place Edwards was employed after he resigned from Virginia State Police, mentioned previous employers contacted throughout the hiring course of did not report any reprimands or inner investigations.
Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis did not instantly reply to a request for remark Wednesday night time a couple of potential evaluate of its hiring course of.
Authorities imagine Edwards killed the teenager’s mom, Brooke Winek, 38, and grandparents, Mark Winek, 69, and Sharie Winek, 65, at their house in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, on Nov. 25. Authorities assume the house was deliberately set on fireplace.
Afterward, Edwards drove off with the 15-year-old, Riverside police have mentioned. Authorities imagine he had beforehand “catfished” the teenager, or portrayed himself on-line as another person — a 17-year-old — to work together along with her.
The police division beforehand mentioned Edwards died in a shootout with authorities in close by San Bernardino County, however Riverside police spokesman Ryan Railsback mentioned Wednesday that authorities now assume he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities haven’t mentioned how the Wineks died. Railsback mentioned that their autopsies are accomplished however that an investigation into their method and reason for loss of life continues.
The teenager, who wasn’t injured, was positioned with little one protecting providers after the killings and was receiving trauma counseling.
