Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Virginia State Police say they are reviewing the hiring process of Austin Edwards. Edwards, 28, who resigned from the force in October, is accused of killing a teenage girl's family in California, after "catfishing" the girl online. Edwards, according to law enforcement, killed himself as police closed in on him and the girl, whom he had driven off with.
The Los Angeles Times says they obtained a police report that shows Edwards was detained for a psychiatric evaluation in 2016. According to the report, police were called to Edwards' home in Abingdon after he harmed himself and threatened to kill his father. Both an emergency custody order and a temporary detention order where issued.
Edwards started the process of becoming a trooper five years later. State Police say he did not disclose any psychiatric incident during the hiring process. WRVA has also reached out to the Washington County Sheriff's Department, whom hired Edwards after he left State Police, but have not heard back.
Los Angeles Times Reports Austin Edwards Once Held For Psychiatric Evaluation
