University of Idaho professor sues internet sleuth for defamation

Murder accusations stem from tarot cards

Northern States Security and Investigation parked outside of the house where the homicides occurred | Daniel V. Ramirez | Argonaut

University of Idaho Professor Rebecca Scofield filed charges of defamation against TikToker and internet sleuth Ashley Guillard on Dec. 21, 2022. 

The charges come as Guillard has made multiple claims on TikTok accusing Scofield to be a suspect of the homicides that claimed the life of four UI students.   

Guillard is a TikToker from Texas, who solves crimes online. Using tarot cards and other readings, Guillard claims that she has solved the murders of rapper Kirshnik Khari Ball, Takeoff, Shanquella Robinson, Tiffany Valiante, Kevin Samuels and the King Road homicides. TikToks covering the King Road homicides have garnered tens of thousands of views. 

According to the case filing, Guillard began making claims on Nov. 24 via her TikTok, posting more than six videos that said Scofield was responsible for the murders. She alleged that Scofield was romantically involved with Kaylee Goncalves.  

These claims are still ongoing, with Guillard making response videos about the lawsuit.  

On Nov. 29 a cease-and-desist letter was sent to Guillard demanding she take down her videos and stop making them.  

Scofield claims that the day of the murders she was not in Moscow, but in Oregon with her husband visiting friends. She also said that the students never had a class that she has taught, nor does she recall ever meeting any of them. 

The lawsuit claims that Guillard’s false videos have damaged Scofield’s reputation and caused significant emotional distress. Scofield claims that she lives in fear for her, and her family’s lives, as these false statements may motivate someone to cause them harm.  

The lawsuit is requesting for a trial by jury with the venue in Idaho, as both the defamation and claims are in Idaho.

Daniel V. Ramirez can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @DVR_Tweets  

About the Author

Daniel Ramirez I’m a senior at the University of Idaho studying both Broadcasting and Journalism. I am the social media manager for the spring semester and a writer and photographer for the news section.

5 replies

  1. Jared

    Actually there is a major spelling error. Look at your caption to the picture. It's so glaringly obvious I won't bother to say which word it is.

  2. Don

    "The lawsuit is requesting for a trial by jury..." Maybe "is requesting a trial..." or "...asking for a trial...." would be better. Just proofreading, ask your prof. about it. Best of luck to you!

  3. Fatchickhater

    I've noticed the quality of a work to be entirely based on syntax. No that's math. Dink

  4. R Elkins

    Kudos young man! I found no spelling or grammatical errors in your article which I can't say for 98% of main line news media today. Very concise, non biased report. We need more of this.

  5. Clinton

    Good for her.

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