When catfishing turns to murder

The Murder of Brian Barrett

MarineSniper was 46-year old Thomas Montgomery, a married father of two. In 2005, posing as a young, handsome Iraq-bound Marine, he entered a teen chat room the popular game site "Pogo."

When 18-year-old Talhotblond (Being Mary Sheiler a woman in her 40’s but using her daughters name Jessi and images) started instant-messaging him.

This lead to a full blown romance. It all fell apart a few short months later. One of his daughters was using the computer when a chat from Jessi popped up. She showed her mother and everything was revealed. His wife thought he was actually speaking with an 18 year old so she wrote Jessi a letter outing him.

Jessi was seemingly heartbroken so she reached out to one of MarineSniper’s coworkers (Thomas Montgomery.

This was 22 year old Brian Barrett, he confirmed that Thomas Montgomery was 46 year old man. Brian comforted Jessi (catfish) and started a relationship which angered Thomas Montgomery.

Brian and Jessi decided they would meet up on and that was the tipping point for Montgomery.

On September 15, 2006, Brian Barrett was leaving work when he was shot to death in the parking lot.

Everyone knew how jealous Montgomery was so the police figured it out quickly. They were worried about Jessi so they went to her house and found Mary Sheiler.

They figured out that it was Mary catfishing but she technically did nothing wrong. Her husband divorced her and her daughter went to live with relatives.

Thomas Montgomery was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Catfishing can come with bad consequences. What do you all think?

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/online-love-triangle-deception-end-murder/story?id=14371076

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/web-user-sentenced-for-killing-online-rival-1.636158

DrWatson · 70-79, M

Well, that story made me cringe.

There is so much that I cannot fathom.

To begin with, I would think that after a while, it would be pretty obvious that the 18 year old you are chatting with does not talk like an 18 year old.

I also find it mindboggling to feel so violently jealous over a "relationship" with someone you never intend to meet, since doing so would expose the lie you are telling about yourself.

For that matter, what did she think would happen when she met with Brian and he saw she was not 18?

And I find it rather sick to use one's own daughter's pictures to encourage amorous conversation.

The only sane (although naïve) one was the guy who got killed. 🙁

iamonfire696 · 41-45, F

@DrWatson the exploration of her daughter is absolutely vile and there are no excuses for that.

As for the rest people will believe what they choose too. I have called out many catfish who give excuses and there are still some here who believe they are genuine and believe the lies they tell because they want to live in that fantasy world.

It’s so harmful and damaging but lots of people want to believe the lies they tell.