Written by his Aunt Maria, here is the story of Mike, a 28 year old member of the Air Force who’s life was claimed after his Catfishing experience.
We live in Alaska. What happens in the lower 48 rarely touches us. The story I am about to tell is not real to me, but my nephew is dead, that is very real.
He died at 28, and by his own hands. He served in the Air Force since graduating from high school. Traveled a bit, then was stationed back home in Fairbanks Alaska. He began online dating and met a young women who said she was 19.
On their first date, immediately he knew she was a minor. He took her to her home and never looked back. He told the leader of his team what happened. This should have been the end…fast forward, he has met a beautiful women, bought a house, very involved of the green dot program for rape and violence victims, had his whole life ahead of him.
Two months ago while at work, authorities came in, took his computer and phone. Explained that they were investigating a minor and his name came up. He then sat staring at the wall in his office for 10 hours. Went home, lined his room with Visqueen and shot himself. 48 hours later, the base commander explained to us…a 14 year old minor was being investigated by the Alaska State Troopers for lying on a dating website and then extorting the men. The commander mentioned four other men were on her list. The troopers were investigating the girl, not the men. They called her a Catfisher. They had her computer and saw everything.
After reviewing Mike’s phone and computer, the troopers and military stated he did nothing wrong…absolutely nothing. He was given full honors, an award, my sister received his life insurance.
Thing is, he knew someone serving 3 years in prison with the exact same story, he thought all paedophiles should be hung. His baby sister is 15 when he found the lier was 14, I can not imagine what went through his head, but promise you he puked. He loved his baby sister.
We now have his phone and computer back, confirming what happened. The other boys have lawyers, but their life in the military is probably over. There is no law against what she did.
Sad thing, I may have her name and I want her to pay for all the lives she destroyed but she is just a kid. That does not change what my family is going through.
Everyone needs to know his story. He was not alone. Who should we blame…all…none?
Maria Anderson