Weld County investigators target possible fake leads in case of missing woman
WELD COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Officials investigating the case of a missing Weld County woman said they are also investigating another matter connected to that case: a possible fake lead.
Family and friends of Kaysey Yoder said they have seen posts on social media claiming to know her whereabouts, but that person will not come forward without compensation.
A cybersecurity expert explained the line between free speech and breaking the law online.
Trolls online could be breaking a number of laws, from cyberbullying to obstruction of justice, according to Mark Young with CP Cyber Security, a private cyber security consultant firm.
“On one hand, we want a free and open social space where people can express themselves,” Young said. “On the other, we have a civic duty to prevent that space from turning into a platform for bullying, harassment and obstruction of justice.”
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Young said a boundary exists between free speech and committing a crime, be it shouting fire in a theater or claiming online to know the whereabouts of a missing woman.
“Freedom of speech should not impede investigations or lead to dangerous social situations,” Young said.
Kaysey Yoder missing since January
Family and friends of Yoder are looking into any possible lead in her case. She has been missing for four months now.
Weld County Sheriff’s Office investigators are also looking into her case.
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Their investigation has had to take a detour: looking into who might be posting claims of knowing where she is on social media but withholding that information for compensation.
“The claims that these individuals are making that they know where the individual is at — if they do and they’re not coming forward, they are impeding the investigation and making themselves suspects within the case itself,” Young said.
Anyone with information about Yoder is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
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