Washington County Sheriff to face jury in 2026 for ‘catfish killer’ triple murder lawsuit
VENN
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis will face a jury in 2026 in the lawsuit that stems from the office's hiring of a deputy who traveled to California and killed three family members of a teenage girl he "catfished," after which he killed himself.
According to court records, Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis, Detective William Smarr, and a person representing the estate of the "catfish killer" will face an eight-day jury trial in the lawsuit in Abingdon from Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, 2026, and from Nov. 2 through Nov. 4, 2026.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the victims, with $50 million being sought due to allegations of negligent hiring practices.
In the summer of 2022, 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards engaged in an illicit online relationship with a 15-year-old girl living in Riverside, California, while pretending to be a 17-year-old boy. During this time, Edwards was pursuing a career in law enforcement in Virginia.
Although he had a temporary psychiatric detention and lost his ability to legally purchase a firearm in 2016, Edwards was somehow able to get a job with the Virginia State Police after passing a background check.
Eventually, Edwards left his position at the Virginia State Police for an unknown reason and accepted a job as a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court documents, just days after becoming a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy, Edwards drove to the girl’s home in California.
According to the Riverside Police Department, Edwards used his police badge and gun to gain entry to the girl’s home and conduct false questioning. He then kidnapped the girl and killed her mother and two of her grandparents.
Authorities said, shortly after the killing spree, Edwards killed himself during a police shootout. Perry’s team believes that, despite the killer’s death, it’s still possible for the victims to get justice and create systemic change, starting with improving law enforcement hiring practices.
