Les Jones

News > Murder or Hoax at forsakethetroops.info?

UPDATE: In comments, Erik notes that Crook has 'fessed up to the hoax.

XRLQ is following the bizarre goings-on at the anti-military site forsakethetroops.info. Today a message on the site claimed the site's Webmaster, Michael Crook, had been murdered by two soldiers, who were in police custody. XRLQ thinks it's a hoax, based on his calls to local police.

The site went inactive as promised this evening. Here's the text that was on the site, and a screenshot:

On Monday evening, the webmaster of Forsake The Troops was brutally assaulted by two men, thought to be members of the military, in response to their opinions about this website. Mr. Crook had been the target of numerous death threats and trespassers at his residence. All of these threats were saved and have been turned over to the authorities. UPDATE:

At 6:19pm Eastern time, Michael Crook died of his injuries, after being rushed by ambulance to the leading hospital in the area for head trauma. The two men who allegedly assaulted him are currently in the custody of police. Mr. Crook died with his wife and infant daughter present.

It is therefore the decision of his family, and associates that Forsake The Troops goes offline, to prevent further incidents of violence and threats against his family. Therefore, this domain will permanantly go offline at around 5pm Eastern time, on Tuesday, May 17th, 2005.

Comments, and well-wishes may be addressed to condolences@michaelcrook.com. Media inquiries (no interviews with family at this time), or sincere inquiries from well-meaning people may be directed to (315) 295-2602.

Leave a voice mail message and your call will be returned by our media representative. The family requests privacy at this time.

Screenshot (111K)