2nd ‘Catfish Killer’ lawsuit filed against Washington County, Va. Sheriff’s Office
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) – A second federal lawsuit has been filed centered around a former Washington County, Virginia deputy who allegedly “catfished” a California teenager online before traveling across the county to kidnap her and kill three of her family members.
The lawsuit was filed by the teenage victim and her foster mother Friday and names the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis and Det. William Smarr as defendants. Smarr was named for his reported role as the investigator who reviewed a job application for the accused killer – Austin Lee Edwards.
Edwards’ estate is also listed as a defendant.
Edwards traveled to Riverside, California in November 2022 where police say he killed the teenager’s mother, Brooke Winek, and her grandparents, Mark and Sharie Winek. Edwards then set fire to the home and drove away with the kidnapped teenager.
Edwards died shortly after during a confrontation with police, and the juvenile was unharmed.
In November 2023, family members of the victims filed their own lawsuit against the sheriff’s office and Edwards’ estate. When filed, that lawsuit sought an unspecified amount of financial compensation.
Like its predecessor, the lawsuit filed by the teenage victim Friday alleges violations of 4th Amendment rights and battery. It also alleges false imprisonment and negligent hiring among other charges.
The lawsuit seeks at least $50 million in damages.
In the lawsuit, the teenage victim’s attorney argues Edwards should have never been hired and claims administrators failed to interview all of Edwards’ references or conduct a proper background check.
Windows blacked out at home of deputy accused of ‘catfishing’ murders
News Channel 11 reached out to the sheriff’s office on Tuesday for a response to the second lawsuit. As of Wednesday, the sheriff’s office had not offered a response. No statement was given when the 2023 lawsuit was filed either.
In 2022, days after the Riverside homicides, Andis provided a statement in a news release:
“It is shocking and sad to the entire law enforcement community that such an evil and wicked person could infiltrate law enforcement while concealing his true identity as a computer predator and murderer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Winek family, their friends and all of those affected by this heinous crime.”
Blake Andis, Washington County, VA Sheriff on Nov. 28, 2022
The sheriff’s office also told news outlets in 2022 that Edwards was still in the orientation stages and had not yet taken part in any active duty roles as a deputy when the Wineks were killed.
Before being hired by the sheriff’s office, Edwards was employed as a state trooper by the Virginia State Police. The agency previously attributed his hiring to “human error” following an administrative review.
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