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Hackers don’t just break into networks to steal.  Sometimes their intent is much more sinister, as an Arizona woman found out.  While Debbie Lee was camping 100 miles away from home someone hacked into her Facebook account and began flooding her status updates with suicidal comments such as “I don’t want a funeral or memorial, I want it to be like I never existed. The way I wish it was.” And “My only friend is the handgun in the back of my closet.” 

Her friends and family were understandably distraught and began posting message after message begging her not to do it.  Her cell phone was flooded too but she was in a remote area with no reception.  When she finally reached an area with service the phone lit up with voicemails pleading with her to not do anything drastic.  Her son eventually got through, just as police were standing outside her home, preparing to kick the door in.

It’s not known who hacked into the account or why but Lee believe it was politically motivated.  The mother of a Navy Seal killed in Iraq, she founded a non-profit organization, America’s Mighty Warriors, which remembers those killed in action and offers support to their families.  She has traveled to military bases around the world and has met with high profile leaders such as President Bush.  Lee said she thinks the hacker was trying to discredit her, and was shocked when the local police closed the case saying that under city and state law there was no crime committed.

“Yes, it causes grief and we do feel for her. We do take that seriously. But unfortunately, our hands are tied by the fact that we have to be out there enforcing an actual statute,” said Sgt. Mark Ortega, a public information officer with the Surprise Police Department.

Arizona, like many states, has no cyber harassment laws on its books.  With online harassment and cyber bullying very real problems, one can only hope that will change soon and all states put laws in place to protect and encourage online safety.

Read [ABCNews]