Police in Canada say a selfie posted to Facebook helped them solve a murder investigation two years in the making.
On Monday, Cheyenne Rose Antoine, 21, pleaded guilty to killing Brittney Gargol, 18, whose body was found lifeless on the side of the road in Saskatoon, in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
According to Antoine, she and Gargol were best friends who had been out drinking when they got into an argument. Antoine admits to the killing, but says she doesn’t remember strangling Gargol to death.
Local media reports that police used a Facebook photo to link Antoine to the murder weapon: a belt, found lying next to Gargol’s body.
A selfie Antoine had posted on Facebook hours earlier showed her wearing the same belt, making her a suspect in the crime.
Crown prosecutor Robin Ritter outlined the complicated investigation to the court. Antoine had led police on a wild goose chase, telling them that the pair had visited several different bars before Gargol left with a man. She also played the part of concerned friend, asking Facebook if anyone had seen Gargol.
Police were ultimately able to use Facebook to track the pair’s movements, proving that they didn’t go to at least one bar Antoine claimed they did. An anonymous tip eventually led police to a witness, a person who Antoine had hysterically confessed the crime to that evening.
“No doubt this young woman has issues … and because of those issues she is dangerous,” said Ritter.
Antoine – who was initially charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter – has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
