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Recent Articles By Keegan Hamilton

National Features

The voice-mail inbox for Lori Drew's cell phone is full. Of course, that's the least of her problems. If the name doesn't ring a bell, you likely only read her story as it was initially published, without her name. Drew is at the epicenter of a cyber hoax that may have triggered the suicide of a thirteen-year-old St. Charles girl named Megan Meier.

According to Meier's parents, their daughter had battled depression and self-esteem issues for several years, acting out with at least one suicide attempt. But Megan's spirits soared when she met who she thought was an attractive sixteen-year-old boy named Josh on MySpace. Eventually, on October 16, 2006, the fictitious Josh broke off the relationship with a farewell message that reportedly read, "Have a shitty life. The world would be a better place without you." That same night Megan hanged herself with a cloth belt from a support beam in her bedroom closet. The person who created the MySpace profile "Josh" is Lori Drew, the Meiers' 47-year-old neighbor.

It was the falling out between the two teens, she said, that made her do it. She wanted to see what Megan was saying about her daughter.

More than a year after Megan's death, on November 13, 2007, a lengthy account of the online ruse was published in the St. Charles Suburban Journal. Several million mouse clicks later, the small, middle-class suburban community of Dardenne Prairie, where the Drews and Meiers live just three doors apart, has been shaken to its core. The mainstream media and the blogosphere, with its countless anonymous voices, have stoked a firestorm of outrage — first, over the fact that the Drew family was not named in the Journal story, and later, over the cruelty of Drew's deception.

"Lori Drew is very much responsible for Megan Meier's death," wrote one blogger at Hits USA, "just as though she had shot or stabbed her."

Though the Drew family went un­­named in the Journal story, some key details mentioned in the article — specifically the fact that Tina Meier, a real estate agent, was the person who sold the Drews their home on Waterford Crystal Drive — enabled readers to track down numerous details about the family.

One of those details included the name of Lori Drew's advertising business, The Drew Advantage. A comment left on the business' profile at yelp.com called the MySpace deception a "crime worthy of being stoned to death."

When a weary Ron Meier, seated at his kitchen table, hears the Drews' home address, cell phone numbers, their business clients' contact information and other details are available with a rudimentary Google search, he says simply, "That's awesome." He later adds, "All that information needed to be out there a long time ago. They need to make their life a living hell. It won't be the hell my family lives with the rest of our lives, but it will be part of it."

The Drews could not be reached for this story. A knock on the family's front door went unanswered and the only sound inside came from a yippy dog. Their home phone has not been disconnected, but it rings endlessly. Neighbors say they haven't seen the family in days and have no idea as to their whereabouts. A person answering the phone at Coldwell Banker Gundaker in O'Fallon, where Curt Drew worked as a realtor, said Drew was no longer with the firm and quickly hung up.

The venom directed at the Drew family has drawn deep concern within law enforcement ranks, and police patrols in the neighborhood have increased since the story broke. "They'll basically end up doing the same thing to that family and their daughter that they did to Megan," says Lt. Craig McGuire of the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department. "We are concerned about the threats being made on the Internet. It's fostering an atmosphere of vigilantism that causes us a great deal of concern."

John McIntyre, who lives in a house across the street from the Drews, does not share the sheriff's concern. "Personally, I wish someone would throw a bomb in their house. I don't want to hurt the kids, but both the parents were on the Internet doing it," McIntyre says, his hand resting on the blond hair of his toddler-age daughter. "I read something that said that lady didn't kill Megan. But she's 47 and Megan was 13. The lady knew what she was doing. She knew how to push buttons."

The fact that there is currently no crime with which the Drews can be charged is particularly galling to many. In response, Dardenne Prairie's mayor, Pam Fogarty, and the city's aldermen last week passed the strongest measure they could against Internet harassment, making it a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine and 90 days in jail. Fogarty says she hopes people will write their legislators and push for stronger state and federal laws.

In any event, the Drews cannot be charged after the fact, prompting some to try and take justice into their own hands — or, in this case, their computers. Since the story broke, there have been cries online for a boycott of the businesses that advertised with The Drew Advantage, not to mention Lori's overflowing voice-mail box and the humiliation of becoming one of the most vilified people on the World Wide Web.

Upon learning of the Internet deceit, an enraged Ron Meier drove his pickup truck onto the Drews' lawn and dumped the smashed bits of a foosball table that the Meier family had been storing as a Christmas present for the Drews' daughter, with whom Megan shared a tumultuous friendship.

Write Your Comment show comments (22)

  1. I read this story in horror. As a parent of a young daughter, I am impressed with the civiilty the Meiers have shown. I can't begin to imagine what they are going thorugh, but I certainly think it is likely that, in the same situation, I would do more than hack up their foosball table.

    Comment by craig — November 28, 2007 @ 11:54AM

  2. This case needs to have charges brought or a civil suit. This was predatory in nature (adult to child) as well as sexual, stalking and telecommunication harassment.
    Pre-meditated ending in wrongful death.

    We would be very happy to assist in a lawsuit, for Megan and for all the youth in our country watching to see if anyone really cares.

    Please contact us at
    The Defense Foundation For Children USA
    Denise Marhoefer
    defensefoundation@gmail.com

    Comment by Denise Marhoefer — November 28, 2007 @ 12:04PM

  3. Thomas Oltmanns you are wrong. Have you worked extensively with young adults? I have and find your comments to be out of touch with reality. You have spent too much time in the classroom and doing research in your lab to know anything about the reality of working with young adults and the triggers that can set them off on a destructive path. Get your nose out of your research and start working with patients and you will realize that Lori Drew is directly responsible for the death of Megan Meier and no psychobabble theory will prove otherwise.

    Comment by BR — November 28, 2007 @ 12:36PM

  4. I am the only person who finds it odd that the Meiers', prior to their daughters suicide, had no qualms with their 13 year old daughter talking online to someone who stated they were a 16 year old male? Come on now, we all know, if the person is in fact 16 and not some adult posing as a teenager, then the 16 year old is just looking for a "good time" from a 13 year old who just started puberty...If the parents were so adament at the time about monitoring Megan's online activities, why did they not see a GIANT red flag when their 13 year old is being courted by some 16 year old horn dog???
    Don't take my comments the wrong way, its terrible Megan killed herself, that being said, the Meiers', in my opinion, were HORRIBLE parents.

    Comment by Lee Aaron Hamilton — November 28, 2007 @ 05:31PM

  5. "Lee Aaron Hamilton"?

    Is that you Mr/s Drew?

    Comment by NotEither Drew — November 28, 2007 @ 07:01PM

  6. At first glance, a few civil charges seem viable:

    Intentional infliction of mental distress (IIED).
    Wrongful death.
    False light (invasion of privacy).

    Comment by law student — November 28, 2007 @ 07:12PM

  7. If the bureaucrats in the sheriff's office and the prosecutor's office were willing to actually show some signs of life and -- dare I say it? -- make a decision, they would charge and prosecute the Drews and Ashley Grill. Then they wouldn't have to worry about "vigilanteism" because the public employees who are paid to administer the criminal justice system would be doing their jobs. As it stands now, the people who are being paid to do that job are not doing it, and the so-called "vigilantes" are stepping in to at least clip the perps' wings. Were it not for the Drews and Ashley being outed, they would be free to keep on doing that to any kid who snubs one of the Drew's children.

    "There is no crime we can charge." Translation: "My skills are too weak to make the case and I don't want the world to see me screw up. Besides, it all pays the same. Now, what did I do with that paperwork for my award?"

    Comment by Rumpole — November 28, 2007 @ 11:57PM

  8. What goes around comes around. An eye for an eye, etc. etc. etc.....

    Comment by Sharon Waldrop — November 29, 2007 @ 08:52AM

  9. The police report, as posted on TheSmokingGun.com, actually reads as follows:

    According to Drew "somehow" other "my space users" were able to access the fake male profile

    The inclusion of the "scare quotes" indicates to me that the police officer who penned the report took Lori Drew's assertion with a healthy dose of skepticism.

    Comment by Michael — November 29, 2007 @ 12:19PM

  10. I am surprised by how negatively this article portrays the comments on the internet about Lori Drew (and her assistant's) behavior. The article seems to suggest discussing morality, and the complete break-down of it in this case, is the same as vigilantism. This seems like a dangerous thing to suggest. We would be far worse off if people did find someone who behaved like Lori Drew (preying on children) socially acceptable.
    I teach ethics and I have to say I will be using this case for decades to come. It reminds me of the ancient examples of mothers who somehow-- without even having as their objective the motives that are more typical of criminals. I think Lori Drew's name will be infamous for decades, at least, is what I mean. And I wish her family would ask her to simply acknowledge the moral wrong of seducing a child on the internet, and to acknowledge that doing something this wrong is bound to be dangerous to the well-being of the victim, even if the child chooses not to commit suicide.

    Comment by Tulah Cramer — November 29, 2007 @ 12:52PM

  11. I urge all with a sense of decency to hunt LORI DREW til she too hangs herself.Think if this was your daughter,girlfriend,sister,ETC

    DO NOT LET LORI DREW GET AWAY WITH THIS!SHE MUST BE STOP OR SHE WILL MURDER AGAIN! And next time it just might be your daughter!

    HUNT THE BITCH DOWN!

    Comment by Alfred — November 29, 2007 @ 02:43PM

  12. A good prosecutor should be able to charge at least a few things:

    Stalking.
    Involuntary manslaughter.
    Indecent solicitation of a minor (if the online flirting ever became sexual).

    Comment by law student — November 29, 2007 @ 05:26PM

  13. I read the police reports over at smokinggun.com With the stuff that's she's filed, you'd think Lori Drew was the real victim in this case. While I do not condone vigilante justice, I have to admit that a small part of me thinks the Drews deserve everything that's happened to them thus far (and probably deserve even more).

    Comment by Scott Lasser — December 1, 2007 @ 05:20AM

  14. It's rather frightening that the people who decry Lorie Drew's actions are now doing exactly the same themselves - using the internet to intimidate and bully. I don't for a minute condone what this woman did. She is an adult and must be responsible for her own actions. But I'm darn sure all the circumstances have not been made public. Who knows what sort of argument the girls had? Could the Miers girl have bullied Drew's daughter? Can't you think of any circumstances where a mother would be tempted to 'pay back' her daughter's ex-friend? Gee, I can.
    Sure, the laws need to change, but laws are always running behind when it comes to technology, so why not use the whole episode to push for what needs to be there.

    Comment by Pat — December 1, 2007 @ 04:55PM

  15. http://www.what-a-world.com has been following this story and believes it is critical that the Drew's get a dose of the their own medicine. I mean for cri-sakes - a mother, an older person should have the caring and maturity not to be a cyber-bully to a 13 yr old girl. And to have an employee - that is paid by Drew Advantage part of the crime... well that shows lack of judgement.

    I agree - every advertiser to Drew Advantage should request their money back. Coldwell Banker, a highly reputable real estate company was wise to show Curt Drew the door. Can you imagine placing your trust in Curt Drew? In Lori Drew?

    What amazes me is that they still live in the neighborhood. That just shows they are dumb too.

    http://www.what-a-world wants everyone to remain in this case and hope that the Meier's can win a civil lawsuit against the very face of evil Lori Drew. We are however saddened that this horrible and evil act cost not only their daugher's life, but their marriage as well. Perhaps Curt will realize he is sleeping with the devil and leave to... and i would not blame him.

    Comment by phil geffen — December 1, 2007 @ 07:44PM

  16. On Wednesday, October 21st, city officials wasted no time enacting an ordinance designed to address the public outcry for justice in the Megan Meier tragedy. The six member Board of Aldermen made Internet harassment a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.

    Does this new law provide any justice for Megan? Does this law provide equitable relief for a future victim?

    The Vice rejects the premise of this new law and believes it completely misses the mark. Classifying this case as a harassment issue completely fails to address the most serious aspects of the methods Lori Drew employed to lead this youth to her demise. The Vice disagrees that harassment was even a factor in this case until just a couple of days before Megan's death.

    Considering this case a harassment issue is incorrect because during the 5 weeks Lori Drew baited and groomed her victim, the attention was NOT unwanted attention. Megan participated in the conversations willingly because she was misled, lured, manipulated and exploited without her knowledge.

    This law willfully sets a precedent that future child exploiters and predators might use to reclassify their cases as harassment cases. In effect, the law enacted to give Megan justice, may make her even more vulnerable. So long as the child victim doesn't tell the predator to stop, even a harassment charge may not stick with the right circumstances and a good defender.

    Every aspect of this case follows the same procedural requirement used to convict a Child Predator. A child was manipulated by an adult. A child was engaged in sexually explicit conversation (as acknowledged by Lori Drew herself). An adult imposed her will on a child by misleading her, using a profile designed to sexually or intimately attract the 13 year old Megan.

    Lori then utilized the power she had gained over this child to cause significant distress and endangerment to that child. She even stipulated to many of these activities in the police report she filed shortly after Megan's death.

    City officials who continue to ignore this viable, documented admission and continue to address this issue as harassment are intentionally burying their heads in the sand, when the solution is staring them right in the face. Why?

    There are several other child exploitation laws on the books. To date, none of them have even been considered by City, State and Federal officials in this case. The Vice is outraged that a motion was never even filed, so that the case could at least be argued before a judge or jury.

    Danny Vice
    http://weeklyvice.blogspot.com

    Comment by Danny Vice — December 2, 2007 @ 09:11PM

  17. http://meganhaditcoming.blogspot.com/

    Lori Drew posted an open letter on her blog today (see address above) to the Internet community. She ends her post with "Here I am, Internet. Come get me."

    Comment by Meiers Family Supporter — December 3, 2007 @ 03:36PM

  18. Pam Fogarty needs to be bitch slapped along with Lori Drew. A Misdemeanor is a slap on the wrist- anyone in Criminal Law knows this. Pam Fogarty, Banas etc....I feel sorry for this town to be run by a bunch of uneducated politicians.

    Comment by Goat — December 4, 2007 @ 12:36AM

  19. I can only say what kind of woman is so empty and petty that she would involve herself in her children's relationships to this extent?? This is an extremely disturbing trend. Adults need to use perspective and leadership, not bring themselves down to this childish level, interacting in such a cruel and ugly manner with a child of thirteen. Don't all of us, especially females, remember how heartbreaking and tough it can be to be a teenager? to be thirteen? I'm forty-nine and I can remember. I have two beautiful daughters that thankfully have made it into their twenties without having to face this kind of cruelty form their peers-let alone an adult mother of a teenage daughter!!!!??? I have been following this story, as I do most things St. Louis periodically, and I have to say this woman's actions are truly incommprehensible to me. I can't begin to think of what her family is going through because of her lack of self control and judgement, and don't want to think of what the Meiers family has withstood thanks to her actions. I hope God has mercy on her sorry soul because no one else will.

    Comment by expat St. Louisan in Virginia — December 7, 2007 @ 10:22AM

  20. I am amazed at the backlash against the Drews. When I read the history of the dispute, The Meiers seem to have no clue as the the involvement of their daughter. Apparently she was nothing short of a bully who had her myspace account suspended by her parents. She seemed unstable and seemed to delight in the bullying and control over the Drew daughter. Why is everyone jumping on the Drews and nobody looking at the instability and going-ons in the Meier home. That seems to be where the problem originates. There seems to be a serious problem in that household. Somehow, the public has sided with the Meiers and not looked deep enough into the story to see the real truth. Look at where the problem originates!!!!!

    Comment by Amazed Reader — December 9, 2007 @ 08:46PM

  21. To Amazed Reader-I have not heard anything to the detriment of the Meiers girl. Maybe that's because most don't speak ill of the dead. Especially those dead the result of a pathetic suicide of a 13 year old girl who obviously was in such personal torment and misery that she felt she had no recourse but to fashion a noose and hang herself in her own bedroom. I guess most of us would find it very difficult, if not impossible, not to sympathize and open our hearts to her family. The Drews, whose children are still alive thankfully, and their family still intact, are perhaps suffering the backlash of a populace who are amazed that a grown woman and mother would come to the point in her life where she felt it necessary to stalk a child, tormenting someone whom she was aware was unstable, destroying this child to the point where the child was so bereft of any alternative but the ultimate release. So, I in turn, am amazed you find this backlash imcomprehensible and your sympathies so misplaced as to fall at the feet of the woman who tortured a child to death.

    Comment by expat St. Louisan in Virginia — December 12, 2007 @ 12:03PM

  22. http://stcharlesjournal.stltoday.com/articles/2007/11/24/news/sj2tn20071110-1111stc_pokin_1.ii1.txt

    To Amazed Reader-Your post is not factual. The above link refers to a story that seems to be thoroughly researched and excellently reported. Please copy the link into your browser address bar. Megan is still being bullied when posts such as yours go out unchallenged.

    Comment by expat St. Louisan in Virginia — December 12, 2007 @ 02:19PM

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