Authorities have announced additional information about what they believe led to a triple murder in Riverside, California.
The teenage daughter of one of the victims found after a house fire was abducted by a Virginia man who had been “hitting” her online, according to a news release.
Just after 11 a.m. Friday, Riverside police officers were called to a home on reports of a disturbance between a man and a teenage girl. Officers said the teen “appeared distressed” as he got into a red Kia Soul with whom he was later identified as Austin Lee Edwards, 28, of North Chesterfield, Virginia.
While officers were responding to the welfare check, a call was received of a nearby house fire. Authorities later learned that the house on fire was the girl’s house. The Riverside Fire Department initiated a fire attack and entered when they found three adult victims lying on the ground at the front entrance. Their bodies were taken outside, where it was determined that they were homicide victims.
CALIFORNIA HOUSE FIRE INVESTIGATED AS TRIPLE MURDER AFTER 3 DEAD FOUND
Mark Winek, 69, Sharie Winek, 65, and Brooke Winek, 38, were found dead inside their home in Riverside, California.
(Riverside Police Department)
The victims were identified as the girl’s mother, Brooke Winek, 38, and her grandparents, Mark Winek, 69, and Sharie Winek, 65. The exact cause and manner of their deaths are still under investigation.
The cause of the house fire is also under investigation, although authorities say it appears to have been set on purpose.
CITY COUNCILMAN SAYS ‘CHILDREN ARE AFRAID TO WALK TO SCHOOL’ DUE TO NEEDLES, HUMAN WASTE AND PSYCHOTIC BEHAVIOR
Austin Lee Edwards, 28, is accused of killing three people in Riverside. He was shot and killed by San Bernardino County deputies.
(Riverside Police Department)
Several hours later, Edwards was discovered driving the teen through San Bernardino County in the unincorporated area of Kelso, where deputies located him.
When confronted, Edwards allegedly shot the officers before they responded, killing him. The teen was uninjured and was taken into protective custody.
Authorities say Edwards met the girl online and was “fished out,” pretending to be someone she wasn’t. After developing a relationship with her and obtaining her personal information from her, he traveled from Virginia to Riverside to see her, they said. Edwards allegedly parked her car in a neighbor’s driveway, walked to the girl’s home and murdered her mother and her grandparents before driving off with the teenager.
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Edwards had worked for the Virginia State Police and until recently worked with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, authorities said.
“Our hearts go out to the Winek family and their loved ones during this time of tremendous grief as it is a tragedy for all Riversiders,” Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in a statement. “This is yet another horrific reminder of predators out there preying on our children. If you’ve already had a conversation with your kids about staying safe online and on social media, do it again. If not, start now .to better protect them.”
