The Megan Meier Story
The next day, in his final message, said Megan’s father, Ron Meier, Josh wrote, 'The world would be a better place without you.'
Sobbing, Megan ran into her bedroom closet. Her mother found her there, hanging from a belt. She was 13.
Six weeks after Megan’s death, her parents learned that Josh Evans never existed. He was an online character created by Lori Drew, then 47, who lived four houses down the street in this rapidly growing community 35 miles northwest of St. Louis." -NY Times
I have been pretty upset about this for the last few days - has anyone else heard about this tragedy?
Yeah i heard that a little while ago. She apparently struggled ALOT before this with depression. So it was not just the conversation that set her off. She had many problems before. I dont know how I feel about it. Its unfortunate, 13, I mean...wow.
The thing is Meagan's parents thought they were being safe too. Her mother had talked to Meagan about not getting too serious about this person they had never met etc.
I was really ticked when I first read the story too. I just don't understand how a 47-year-old woman could do that to a child. I also don't understand how it's possible that the law can't do anything about it since they haven't technically broken any law...
It doesn't matter that she was depressed beforehand, or tried suicide beforehand, or any of it. The bottom line is that some crazy, irresponsible, emotionally stunted ADULT WOMAN tormented a 13-year-old child via an anonymous myspace account.
How anyone could NOT know how to feel about this, how anyone could even CONCEIVE of excusing it based on the fact that the kid was previously depressed, is absolutely beyond my comprehension.
Plus, what 13-year-old girl *doesn't* struggle with depression, particularly those who aren't lucky enough to be pretty and popular?
You don't need a lynching. In a way, they lynched themselves.
Think of poor Lori Miller's daughter. She's going to be an outcast from this point forward. No friends. No one will trust her. And this story has gotten around quite a bit.
I am ticked too, ticked that any "Adult" could do this. Further ticked that the law doesn't allow prosecution based on online harassment. Lori had better hope she doesn't even do so much as Jaywalk, though. Remember.. they got Al Capone based on his not paying taxes...
Here is Lori Drew's counterpoint: http://meganhaditcoming.blogspot.com/
ve Original Post by csthomas:
I feel the same way, Lilsammi23! I want me a lynching! Well, not really...but some kind of law or public admonishment. I guess Lori Drew won't apologize because Megan was on anti-depressants.
I'm a pacifist. I always have been. I struggle with the death penalty, cannot watch violent movies, and cry over news stories that a lot of people would barely glance at.
But something about this woman Lori Drew makes me appreciate and understand vigilante justice. If she lived in my neighborhood, I wouldn't trust myself around her. That she won't apologize, that she says she doesn't "feel as guilty" because the girl tried to kill herself before... it just makes me so furious that I hardly know what to say. She's a soulless waste of oxygen and skin.
Sorry for my vehemence. :/
Original Post by csthomas:
HK, I hope you're right - honestly, I've been completely obsessed with this story since hearing about it. The big thing was outing the Drews - I guess somebody posted them on badneighbors.com and since then they're getting hate mail and such (good!) - and is Lori Drew a freakin' sociopath? She feels no remorse for it! She even put a fake page up on blogger under the name of Kristen, saying that Megan Meiers was mean and "deserved it" - the woman is seriously nuts!
Here is Lori Drew's counterpoint: http://meganhaditcoming.blogspot.com/
Wait a minute. This woman actually took the time to create a blog called MEGAN HAD IT COMING?
I dislike and am pissed off about what she did as much as anybody but let's not accuse her of being heartless enough to post that as well unless you're sure it's her.
... ... i think your missing something...
The 13 was mentally ILL ... it could have been ANYTHING that would trigger her to kill herself. Her mom yelling at her, a friend as school getting into a fight with her, a teacher being mean... the 13 had a mental issue and she needed to be protect against herself (by her parents or whatever else...)
Her death isnt the 40something year olds fault. She was just playing online and bad luck that the person she was talking to had a mental problem.
Its like blaming games because some idiot kid shoots up his school because he saw it once. The games didnt do it...NORMAL people (people without mental issues) would be able to draw the line and understand the result of their actions.
Again, the child was CRAZY, she kills herself because someone makes her sad or says something mean.... natural selection (no, i dont think everyone with mental issues should be killed or should be allowed to kill themselves.... but if they end up doing that, its THEIR fault *or the fault of their mental issues*, NOT the fault of whatever finally set them off).
Original Post by loriklorik:
.... So....the mother is evil because she said something mean?...
... ... i think your missing something...
The 13 was mentally ILL ... it could have been ANYTHING that would trigger her to kill herself. Her mom yelling at her, a friend as school getting into a fight with her, a teacher being mean... the 13 had a mental issue and she needed to be protect against herself (by her parents or whatever else...)
Her death isnt the 40something year olds fault. She was just playing online and bad luck that the person she was talking to had a mental problem.
Its like blaming games because some idiot kid shoots up his school because he saw it once. The games didnt do it...NORMAL people (people without mental issues) would be able to draw the line and understand the result of their actions.
Again, the child was CRAZY, she kills herself because someone makes her sad or says something mean.... natural selection (no, i dont think everyone with mental issues should be killed or should be allowed to kill themselves.... but if they end up doing that, its THEIR fault *or the fault of their mental issues*, NOT the fault of whatever finally set them off).
No, the mother is evil for psychologically tormenting a child. Unless you (the general you) are into pushing toddlers down stairs, beating up 7th graders, and hitting old ladies over the head, it should be obvious.
--
I totally missed the part where you said she was just playing online and had bad luck, etc. As has been pointed out, no, she wasn't just "playing online". She created the account specifically to toy with Megan Meiers. She pretended for months to be a 16-year-old boy who liked Megan.
Anyway, I really don't think that blog is this woman, I really really think it sounds like some teenager spouting off. Quoting her boyfriend's brother because "he's in college and really smart"? Yeah, that's an adult thing to do... But that's just me.
But, Lori Drew knew she was unstable and on medication and set up this account specifically to hurt Megan Meier (in revenge for the end of the friendship between Megan and her daughter). They were family friends. Close.
Yea, the mother might have found something better to do with her time... but it wasnt a plot to "mentally torment" (unless you mean show the girl what it felt like when she did the same thing to her daughter... then your idea of "mentally torment" and mine are MUCH different).
Actually, other then being a bit immature, i think the mother that did the fake myspace thing was doing an "ok" thing to show a kid a lesson on empathy. (its just really bad luck she ran into an abnormally suicidal child...)
