Another Murder Linked to Eastport Neighborhood Forum

Police recommend avoiding group altogether

Annapolis (SPP) – Yet again yesterday, Annapolis City Police responded to the scene of a brutal murder that they believe was linked to a discussion on the Eastport Neighborhood Forum on Facebook.

Lynda C. Christensen, 43, was found bludgeoned to death by her Yellow Pages phone book in her home on 6^th Street.

Police were called to the scene by her housekeeper, Rachel Simons, after she was unable to gain entry by knocking or calling Ms. Christensen on her phone. Simons suspected that something was wrong as Christensen’s car was parked on the street and her house cleaning visit had been confirmed less than an hour before.

Officers quickly gained entry only to find Ms. Christensen lying dead in her living room in a pool of blood next to her phone book, which they surmised was the murder weapon. Also in the pool of blood, police found Christensen’s Blackberry which was logged into Facebook and on the Eastport Neighborhood Forum page.

Investigation revealed that Christensen had been involved in a heated discussion regarding a parking issue in Eastport that had generated more than 1000 comments. The discussion soon turned nasty when Christensen went to Casesearch, the online Maryland court database, to run the names of people she disagreed with. Christensen posted screen-shots of results exposing dozens of her neighbors as tax cheats, deadbeats, drug users, sex offenders, domestic abusers, and parking violators.

Police indicated that they have no immediate suspects, but believe that the culprit will be found in the Facebook group. Speaking to reporters, Chief Scott Baker, said “Ms. Christensen is the 20^th person so far this year who has been murdered shortly after engaging in a heated discussion on the Eastport Neighborhood Forum page. All have been bludgeoned to death with objects in their homes. We believe they are related.”

Chief Baker stated they they had yet to determine whether or not one person was responsible for all the deaths. He also indicated that they had not narrowed down the suspect list to people who had engaged in the discussions or were just lurkers. “It’s certainly possible that someone not taking part in the discussions was just really upset about what was being posted and decided to take direct action.”

Baker also stated the police are investigating over a dozen missing persons reports so far this year and most of them have had some connection to the Facebook group. He cautioned against people joining the group. “People are crazy and when they get online, especially if they have had too much to drink, they get angry and post all sorts of ugly things about their neighbors. Some people cannot handle that and then next thing you know you have a hothead showing up at your house beating you to death. We strongly advise that people avoid the Eastport Neighborhood Forum. If you are a member, do yourself a favor and don’t post anything. We have seen the most mundane topics turn into flame wars that end in murder. It’s just not worth it.”