Facebook posts, tweets, Instagram pictures and IP addresses are being used more and more by police and lawyers to help identify the movements and actions of suspects and victims.
And now, a selfie has helped solve a murder case, and led to the conviction of a 21-year-old woman who strangled her friend to death.
Police used Facebook posts to track the movements of two friends who had gone from a house party to a string of bars, before one of the girls, Cheyenne Rose Antoine strangled her friend to death after a heated argument.
The selfie showed Antoine wearing a belt that was later found near 18-year-old Gargol’s body which was left near a landfill in Saskatchewan, Canada. The body was discovered by a passerby.
Antoine had tried to throw police off the scent by posting on Gargol’s Facebook page the morning after their night out, writing; ‘Where are you? Haven't heard from you. Hope you made it home safe.’
She also asked her Uncle to provide an alibi for her.
According to the BBC, Antoine said that the girls were both drunk and high when they got into the argument that led to the murder, and while she has pleaded guilty, she says she doesn’t recall the events taking place.
The court heard that Antoine had been abused in care for a long time, and had recently reported abuse by her foster parents.
Antoine has been sentenced to seven years in prison, the term was shortened after a guilty plea from Antoine, who showed remorse for her actions.
‘I will never forgive myself,’ she said. ‘Nothing I say or do will ever bring her back. I am very, very sorry... It shouldn't have ever happened.’
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.