triathleteguru wrote:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2399486/frank-meza-marathoner-death
Well, this article outs at least one of the trolls.
Suggestions of "online bullying" are self-serving and disingenuous.
And, as others suggest, may be setting the stage for a litigious pay-day.
It's a crude and dishonest attempt to deflect attention from the real issue; a serial cheat was exposed and, for this and who-knows-what-else reasons, chose to jump to his death rather than come clean or make amends.
Bullying is mentioned as if it were obvious or proven fact. But no examples are provided.
The article is editorial, not journalistic. Look at the title. "Mob". Not "online community" or such. Grab your torches and and pitchforks, folks!
I never saw a body of over-the-line comments here.
And even so, is there indication Meza participated at Letsrun?
What I saw was evolving, factual-based discussion to document serious, sustained cheating, and only necessitated by steadfast public denials by Meza and his supporters. Refutations which, but virtue of investigation and debate, were ultimately shown as deluded or dishonest, or both.
FM's decisions, right until his last, were unfathomable to the reasonable person.
Could anyone here have expected Frank to commit suicide?
FM's family didn't seem to understand him any better. Like a mother who can't believe her "innocent" child could possibly have done anything wrong. Theories were floated from that direction FM had a heart attack and accidentally fell off the bridge, or even that he was pushed. Neither is consistent will the new bullying-made-him-do-it narrative.
What is most probable? Frank being undone by his complex web of deceit unravelling - or his being "devestated" upon learning others had issue with it?
In a last-ditch effort at balanced reporting, the article closes with this; "It’s important to emphasize here that we do not know — and may never know — the extent to which online harassment contributed to Meza’s apparent suicide."
Should have lead with that.
Or better still, not written at all.