She Took Her Own Life After Her Best Friend's Mom Catfished Her on MySpace

In third grade, Megan Meier began experiencing depression and ADD, stemming from weight issues. As she entered adolescence, the issues worsened. Despite the problems, Megan was a happy girl who loved to laugh.

Myspace Account: Meet Josh Evans

In 2006, the 14-year-old created a Myspace account. Myspace was founded three years earlier. By this time, everyone had an account, and the world as we knew it had begun to change.

Days later, Megan received a message from 16-year-old Josh Evans. He told her that he lived in O’Fallon and was new to the area. He was homeschooled and wanted to make friends. Megan thought Josh was cute and began conversing with him.

Josh made Megan feel special. Her smile brightened, her sadness disappeared, and she felt alive once again. For a teenager who felt unattractive and sad, Josh's messages were like a breath of fresh air. Every single day, Josh told Megan she was beautiful and amazing, making her feel on top of the world.​

Megan arrived home from school on October 16, 2006, eager to check her messages. She couldn’t wait to read what Josh had to say. Her heart dropped as she read the words across the screen. ‘I don’t know if I want to be friends with you anymore because I’ve heard that you are not very nice to your friends.” The messages only worsened from this point. He called her fat, a slut, and other degrading names. The once kindhearted, compassionate teen was now the complete opposite. She didn't know what had changed, literally overnight.

Soon, Megan started receiving similar bullying messages from Josh’s friends. “Everybody in O’Fallon knows who you are. You are a bad person, and everybody hates you. Have a shitty rest of your life. The world would be a better place without you.”

Megan Commits Suicide

Megan sent Josh a final message. “You’re the kind of boy a girl would kill herself over.” A few minutes later, Megan walked into her bedroom closet and hung herself with a belt. She died in the hospital the next day, three weeks before her 14th birthday.

Josh Evans vanished from MySpace.

Megan’s family mourned their loss.

The Truth About Josh Evans

Then, a month later, Megan’s parents received disturbing news from a neighbor. The neighbor told them that Curt and Lori Drew, who lived a few houses down the road, had created the Josh Evans profile with the help of her 13-year-old daughter. Megan and her daughter had been friends for years, but recently had an argument. The neighbor admitted that her daughter had sent a message to Meagn, pretending to be Josh.

The Drew family had taken vacations with the Meiers. They knew Megan lived with mental health issues that required medication.

Investigators learned that Megan had allegedly spread rumors about Lori's daughter.  Lori created the fake MySpace account in retaliation.

Lori Drew Charged

Authorities charged Lori Drew with several misdemeanors. But it was later determined that she had not broken any laws.

MySpace did take action against Lori. She was charged with defrauding MySpace. Although convicted of three misdemeanor charges, a judge overturned her convictions.

"Absolutely Vile"

The Meirs spoke to Steve Pokin, a columnist with the suburban Journal. Tina Meier told him,

“I know that they did not physically come up to our house and tie a belt around her neck. But when adults are involved and  continue to screw with a thirteen-year-old, with or without mental problems, it is absolutely vile.”

I agree.

Rest in peace, Megan Meier.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/megan-meier

https://abcnews.com/GMA/story?id=3882520&page=1

https://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/megans-story