Ex-Deputy Commits Triple Murder and Abduction
On the morning of November 25, 2022, in Riverside, California, former Virginia deputy Austin Lee Edwards, 28, slaughtered three members of a family and abducted a 15-year-old girl. The victims were the girl's mother, Brooke Winek, 38, and her grandparents, Mark and Sharie Winek, both 69. Edwards then fled with the teenager, leading to a police pursuit that ended with him shooting himself.
Manipulation Through Social Media
Edwards had masqueraded as a 17-year-old boy on Instagram for months to manipulate the 15-year-old victim. He sent her gifts, including cash and Uber Eats deliveries. When the conversations turned sexual, she blocked him. Undeterred, Edwards drove 40 hours from Virginia to California, using his police badge to gain entry to the family home.
Details of the Crime
Once inside, Edwards convinced the grandparents to call Brooke Winek home. He then fatally stabbed Brooke in the neck, severing her spinal cord, and killed the grandparents. He covered the bodies with bags, taped their necks, and bound their limbs with duct tape. The younger sister escaped, but Edwards aimed a weapon at her and said, "Stop screaming." He then doused the house in petrol, abducted the 15-year-old, and fled. Witnesses saw him forcing her into his red Kia Soul and alerted police.
Police Pursuit and Suicide
Officers traced Edwards' vehicle and were shocked to discover they were chasing a fellow law enforcement officer. During the pursuit, the teenager was forced to hold Edwards' hand. Edwards fired through the rear windscreen at pursuing officers before being cornered. He ordered the girl out of the car and then shot himself.
Aftermath and Legal Actions
Surviving relatives have filed lawsuits against law enforcement agencies, arguing Edwards should never have been hired given his history of mental health issues. In 2016, he had self-harmed, received psychiatric treatment, and lost his firearms privileges, yet later became a Virginia State Police officer and a sheriff's deputy.
Comments from Officials
Ryan Railsback of the Riverside Police Department called Edwards "a monster" and "a predator." Police Chief Larry Gonzalez described the incident as "another horrific reminder of the predators existing online who prey on our children" and urged parents to discuss online safety with their children.
