News Summary
Authorities in South Carolina are cautioning the public against false social media posts claiming that an officer named ‘Carolyn Lynch’ is missing. The misleading information mistakenly identifies an officer from California as being linked to Columbia, SC. Police departments urge the community to verify facts before sharing, as misinformation can cause panic. The incident highlights the pervasive issue of disinformation online, which can have serious consequences for real investigations and community safety.
Columbia, South Carolina – Authorities in South Carolina are alerting the public about misleading social media posts indicating that an officer named “Carolyn Lynch” is missing. These posts, which have surfaced on multiple Facebook pages, erroneously report on the disappearance of an officer and feature an image of a real officer alongside a damaged vehicle that has been riddled with bullets.
The misinformation primarily identifies “Carolyn Lynch” as a missing officer from Columbia, South Carolina. However, the individual depicted in these posts is not from the area but rather Sergeant Porteous of the Lodi Police Department in California. The Lodi Police Department has confirmed that their officer is falsely referred to in these hoaxes as both “Officer Katie Cunningham” and “Officer Carolyn Lynch.”
This issue is not isolated to South Carolina, as similar posts have been circulating across various local yard sale Facebook groups throughout the nation. While the names and locations may vary slightly, the images remain consistent, raising concerns about widespread disinformation.
The Risks of Misinformation
One common characteristic of these misleading posts is that comments are often disabled, preventing users from discussing or questioning the information. Additionally, many of these posts share similar wording, suggesting a coordinated effort to spread false narratives.
How to Verify Missing Person Reports
Background on the Issue
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WLTX: Fake Missing Police Officer Facebook Hoax
- ABC Columbia: Columbia PD Searching for Missing Vulnerable Adult
- KPTV: Sheriff Car Found in Columbia River May Belong to Missing Family
- WMTV: Body of Missing Woman Found in Wisconsin River
- ABC Columbia: Batesburg-Leesville Police Searching for Missing Endangered Woman
- Wikipedia: Misinformation
- Google Search: Missing Persons Resources
- Google Scholar: Misinformation Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Person
- Google News: Missing Persons Cases
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
