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Investigation Details Released in California Triple Homicide Involving Former Law Enforcement Officer

Law enforcement officials have released harrowing details regarding a multi-state tragedy in Riverside, California, where a former Virginia law enforcement officer allegedly used an online deception scheme to target a teenage girl before murdering three members of her family.

The case has drawn national attention to the dangers of online grooming, sextortion, and the critical importance of digital safety monitoring for parents and guardians.

Summary of the Incident

According to the Riverside Police Department, the sequence of events unfolded following an emergency call from an observant neighbor:

• The Initial Call: On November 25, dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a young female who appeared distressed while getting into a red Kia Soul with an adult male.

• The Fire and Discovery: Simultaneously, emergency crews responded to a structure fire just doors away. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and discovered three adult victims inside who had suffered fatal injuries.

• Victim Identification: The victims were later identified by authorities as 69-year-old Mark Winek, his 65-year-old wife Sharie Winek, and their 38-year-old daughter Brooke Winek.

The Suspect and Cross-Country Travel

Investigators identified the suspect as Austin Lee Edwards, 28, of North Chesterfield, Virginia.

• Law Enforcement Background: Edwards had previously worked as a Virginia State Trooper—resigning in late October—and had recently been hired by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia.

• The Catfishing Scheme: Police determined that Edwards had posed online as a teenager to establish an inappropriate digital relationship with the family’s 15-year-old daughter, a tactic commonly known as catfishing.

• The Confrontation: After obtaining personal information, Edwards drove cross-country from Virginia to Riverside, parked in a neighbor’s driveway, entered the home, and committed the homicides before fleeing with the teenager.

Pursuit and Resolution

Following the amber-alert style vehicle broadcast issued by Riverside investigators, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department located Edwards’ vehicle with the teenager inside.

A gunfight ensued between Edwards and deputies in the Kelso area, resulting in Edwards’ death. The teenage victim was safely recovered and returned to surviving family members.

Family and Community Response

At subsequent press briefings, grieving relatives urged the public and parents to remain vigilant regarding children’s digital footprints and online interactions.

“Parents, please know your child’s online activity, ask questions about what they’re doing and whom they are talking to,” family representatives shared during public statements. “Anybody can say they’re someone else and you could find yourself in this situation.”

Local authorities continue to emphasize resources for families dealing with online exploitation, encouraging anyone encountering suspicious online predators to report them immediately to local cyber-crime units or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).