Law enforcement officials are cautioning the public about a series of distressing social media posts making outrageous claims about two supposed serial killers who are allegedly terrorizing various states across the U.S. The posts, which went viral, assert the existence of Ryan Edward and Alice Chapman, who were purportedly involved in the murders of several female police officers, and are said to prey on vulnerable elderly individuals.
According to posts circulating primarily on Facebook, residents were urged to "lock their doors and stay vigilant," alarming many communities. But the Ocala Police Department, located roughly 79 miles north of Orlando, rushed to set the record straight. Police officials confirmed to The U.S. Sun, "The claims are completely fake," after receiving multiple inquiries from concerned residents.
The disinformation campaign utilized images of real criminals to bolster its credibility. One mugshot circulating alongside the stories was identified as belonging to Joanna Dennehy, who has been serving life for her role as one of England’s most notorious serial killers, having stabbed three men to death during her gruesome spree back in March 2013. Another mugshot belonged to Thomas Jeffrey Combs, who has no connection to the fabricated stories.
Ocala Police remarked, "Why people are doing it, I can only image; I don’t have a real reason why people are doing this." They clarified they had not identified any genuine individuals named Ryan Edward or Alice Chapman linked to the reported crimes.
Similar fraudulent posts have cropped up across multiple states including California, New York, Texas, and Maine. Notably, police departments from places like San Antonio have also denounced these hoaxes. San Antonio police indicated, "The goal is to get the fake story to go viral," which reflects the troubling trend of misinformation spreading through social media platforms.
Some posts not only misrepresented the accused but also involved swapping their mugshots with images of actual criminals, creating confusion and fear. For example, another presentation of Ryan Edward’s photo was actually of Christopher Lee Russell, who faced charges unrelated to the fictitious narratives.
Even more alarming, reports of similar scams aimed to deceive the public with names like Lloyd Strack. Officials from the Bradenton Police Department were quick to sweep those claims aside as well. They confirmed Strack, who was allegedly linked to several crimes, is not at large and is already serving time for previous offenses.
The disturbing reality behind these false claims emphasizes the need for vigilance among community members and highlights the danger of misinformation online. Police departments are urging the public to verify the authenticity of alarming posts by consulting credible news sources and official statements instead of relying on social media.
"When people share these posts, they may inadvertently cause panic," pointed out police representatives, fostering calls for responsible social media behavior among users.
While the viral nature of these fictitious posts can provoke fear and uncertainty, experts also believe they are part of more elaborate scams which aim to mislead the public and possibly obtain personal information through deception.
Authorities everywhere are stepping up their advisories, emphasizing the importance of ensuring informational integrity, particularly as misinformation can cause unnecessary alarm across entire communities.
This situation shines a light on the interplay between social media culture and public safety. It serves as a reminder to reserve judgment and to seek confirmation prior to sharing alarming news, especially those involving potential threats to community safety.
Residents are reminded: if you see alarming posts making severe allegations, exercise caution. The Ocala Police have requested everyone to refrain from sharing such unverified claims and instead keep informed through trustworthy channels. Authorities continue to work tirelessly to preserve public safety, combatting not just real threats but the pervasive issue of misinformation infecting daily discourse.