A University of Idaho professor has filed a defamation lawsuit against a TikTok user after the TikToker perpetuated claims that the professor was responsible for the death of four Idaho college students murdered in their home over a month ago.
Rebecca Scofield is an assistant history professor and author at the university and has become the center of attention for armchair sleuths after social media theories spread online connecting her to the crime. TikTok user Ashley Guillard largely helped perpetuate these claims against Scofield by creating a number of online videos alleging that Schofield hired a hitman to murder the four college students.
As reported by the Idaho Statesman, the lawsuit contends that "Defendant Ashley Guillard—a purported internet sleuth—decided to use the community's pain for her online self-promotion.”
As part of her lawsuit, Scofield is seeking a jury trial and is asking for reimbursement of all applicable legal fees.
The still-unsolved murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, have made national headlines, largely in part because of the slow progress of the case. After over six weeks, law enforcement has yet to name a suspect or even a person of interest related to the case. In the void of information, the internet community has come alive trying to sort out the details of the crime. While many members of the cybersleuth community have helped keep the story alive, with some even providing beneficial details to investigators, the overwhelming majority of the social media buzz is rooted in speculation and conspiracy theories.
TikTok user Ashley Guillard, known online as @ashleyisinthebookoflife and based in Texas, was quick to rise to internet fame over her baseless claims that the professor was entangled in the murder mystery. Over a series of videos, Guillard alleges that the professor was romantically involved with one of the victims, and as a result, she hired a hitman to kill the students. While Guillard has no connection to the victims, the self-proclaimed tarot card reader has been vocal about her suspicions and who she says the murderer is. Her videos touting the seemingly baseless claims have been shared and viewed over a million times online.
Scofield's lawyers share that Guillard was served two cease-and-desist letters before the lawsuit was filed. Despite this, Guillard continued with her online claims allegedly defaming the professor. The lawsuit explains, "Guillard's statements are false,” adding, "Professor Scofield did not participate in the murders, and she had never met any of the victims, let alone entered a romantic relationship with them. Guillard's videos have been viewed millions of times, amplifying Guillard's online persona at the expense of Professor Scofield's reputation."
In addition to defending against the TikToker’s claims, Scofield’s lawsuit explains that she and her husband were out of town visiting friends in Portland, Oregon, during the time of the murder. The lawsuit goes on to push back against the claims that the professor was connected with an ex-boyfriend of one of the victims before hiring him to commit the murders. Scofield emphasizes in her complaint that she did not know the victims or the ex-boyfriend who, according to Guillard, conducted the murders.
Along with touting baseless claims, the lawsuit accuses Guillard of damaging the professor's reputation throughout the university, her community, and even nationwide as Guillard’s videos have a wide-reaching audience. The lawsuit explains that the videos have caused Scofield “significant emotional distress” and that “She fears for her life and for the lives of her family members. She has incurred costs, including costs to install a security system and security cameras at her residence. She fears that Guillard's false statements may motivate someone to cause harm to her or her family members."
Guillard addressed the lawsuit through a video response on her TikTok account sharing, "I am actually gleaming with excitement," adding, "I'm going to immediately start planning because I cannot wait to present my ideas in court regarding Rebecca Scofield and her role in the murder of the four University of Idaho students."
