A university of Idaho The teacher has filed a libel suit against a self-proclaimed psychic on TikTok after the tarot card reader accused her of killing four of the school’s students, whose killings shocked the US last month .
The federal court case filed Wednesday by the head of the university’s history department, Rebecca Scofield, alleges that TikTok user Ashley Guillard spread baseless allegations that wrongly linked the professor to the murder of 20-year-old Xana Kernodle. November 13; Ethan Chapin, 20; Maddie Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, in Moscow, Idaho.
“Ashley Guillard – a purported internet sleuth – decided to use the pain of the community for her online self-promotion,” the damages lawsuit said of Guillard, whom Scofield has never met before. . Guillard sought to take credit for solving other high-profile murders, including that of the musician Takeoffthe third member of the rap group Migos.
“She posted many videos on ICT Tac falsely stating that plaintiff Rebecca Scofield… participated in the murders because she was romantically involved with one of the victims,” the lawsuit added. “Guillard’s statements are false. Professor Scofield had no part in the murders and she never met any of the victims, let alone formed a romantic relationship with them.
Guillard’s TikTok account – which says “Ashley is God” in the biography – features dozens of videos in which she hypothesizes about the murders, often through tarot card readings. Guillard claims Scofield had been romantically involved with one of the students and ordered their murders in an effort to hide the relationship, according to the lawsuit.
In one of the videos, Guillard wrote, “I don’t care what you say…REBECCA WAS THE ONE TO START THE PLAN.” In another video, Guillard said: “Rebecca Scofield is going to prison for the murder of the 4 University of Idaho Students, whether you like it or not.
The lawsuit recounts how Scofield was with her husband in Portland, Oregon, visiting friends when the students were murdered.
“Guillard’s videos have been viewed millions of times, amplifying Guillard’s online persona to the detriment of Professor Scofield’s reputation,” said the lawsuit, which states that none of the victims ever took a class with him. Scofield.
“She does not recall ever meeting any of these students,” the lawsuit said. He added: ‘She does not know why Guillard singled her out to accuse him repeatedly of ordering the tragic murders and of being involved with one of the victims. Professor Scofield knows she has been hurt by the fake TikToks and misrepresentations.
On November 29, an attorney sent a cease and desist letter to Guillard on behalf of Scofield. Guillard continued to post videos accusing Scofield of the murders in Moscow.
On Dec. 8, a second cease and desist letter was sent, asking Guillard to remove his “defamatory messages,” according to the lawsuit.
“Rather than change his conduct, Guillard made a TikTok showing the cease and desist letter… and explaining that if Professor Scofield, through a lawyer, believes Guillard is making false statements, the lawyer should “file genuine legal documents in federal court”. court … asking me to withdraw it”.
Scofield’s lawsuit describes how she fears that she and her family could be targets of physical abuse. Guillard has since posted several TikToks in response to the lawsuit, including one in which Guillard mocks Scofield by stating, “I’m ON FIRE with excitement! SEE YOU IN COURT REBECCA SCOFIELD!! »
In another video, Guillard writes: “Are you sure you want to do this Rebecca SCOFIELD? This is not going to end well for you.
So far, no suspects have been arrested or even publicly identified in the case, leaving the academic community on edge. A Moscow police statement from earlier this month warned against “speculation, without factual basis, [that is] stoking community fears and spreading false facts.”
“We encourage referencing official releases for accurate information,” he said.
The relative of a person who was considered a person of interest in the case – but has since been cleared as a suspect – has explained how difficult the rampant speculation has been.
Aunt of Jack DuCoeur, ex-boyfriend of Kaylee Goncalves, Told the New York Post his nephew “not only lost the love of his life, and what we all thought and he probably thought too, would be his future wife – you know, getting married and having kids and all that.”
But also, the aunt – Brooke Miller – said “half of America” thinks DuCoeur might “be responsible” for the murders, especially of online users.
Guillard was among those who insisted on calling DuCoeur a potential suspect and that he may have been involved in the murders despite police clearing him.
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