Recently, I've been posting on the disappearance of Eva Ho, known to her friends as Eve. One of the remarkable things about the web is the way information can be brought together. This story is one of those examples. Eve has been missing since August, and the police only just issued a bulletin. In it, Eve is listed as missing, and little else.
But according to her friends, there is a lot the police are not talking about.
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Hopefully the Sing Tao can sort this out. It's important, because the true circumstances of Eve's disappearance might be very grim indeed, but utterly unrelated to the problem of online predators.
Steve, need I remind you that you were the one who first insinuated that Ms. Ho's disappearance was perhaps related to the presence of an online predator. Sure, the Sing Tao staff should do a better job with their fact-checking and translation, but surely there's also a lesson here about the dangers of irresponsible blogging.
I've commented here before about the potential unintended repercussions of your blogging activity on external communities, and urged you to exercise caution in your choice of words and "between-the-lines" messages. Now that blogging has become part of your career--congratulations on the new job, by the way--I encourage you again to reflect on the merits of abiding by a blogger's
code of ethics.
Posted by: A at November 10, 2006 01:18 AM (YK2nB)
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No doubt. It is ridiculous that Steve is failing to even acknowledge--nevermind apologize for--any responsibility for the Eva-Ho-Internet-Predator link.
You were the one who made this a story in the first place -- and on absolutely flimsy evidence.
It should also be pointed out that this isn't the first time your rush to "break a story" has resulted in misinformation being circulated. It is easy to be a blogger who just trades in rumours and speculation; but you really should aspire to be more than that.
Posted by: bob at November 10, 2006 10:18 AM (Lmg9H)
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How about the ethics of the newspaper that (I'm assuming) didn't contact Steve about the issue, but printed unconfirmed statements? Will you guys call up and ream them, or are you selective in your criticism? But I'm sure these two critics are fully aware of the issue and can comment without ignorance. And don't sell me that integrity crap. There is no media with integrity. Not print, not electronic, not internet.
Posted by: mike s at November 10, 2006 01:07 PM (8vcqN)
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Angry is famous but far more more serious implications stem from misrepresentations from the mainstream press. Certainly, your similar ire is pointed in that direction as well.
Posted by: angryinthecornbelt at November 10, 2006 01:44 PM (0p4xh)
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Angry blogs as a hobby. One of things he consistently does is get people to think outside the box, see behind the known facts, consider possibilities. Journalists on the other hand get paid a full time salary to report facts.
This site is a place for brainstorming and making connections. Consider possibilities, research, etc. Put forward a thesis, find evidence for or against. Put forward another and so forth. This is thinking out loud.
Look at last year's Abotech stories by the way. Journalists were put on the scent of a story. Ultimately, they picked up the phone and called Angry for leads. Then did what they got paid to do; investigate and write a story. They took it to the next level. MSM and bloggers complemented one another to get to the truth. A lot of that started out with unsubstantiated speculation.
Angry has a listed email address. Sing Tao bear the responsibility for not verifying their "facts" with him.
Angry did the responsible thing and made this a story. Now these kids might get found because of the increased coverage. Their own community newspaper and police ignored it previously. If you want to look for irresponsible behaviour look in that direction.
A, have you ever contributed one piece of useful information here? If you're planning on a career as Robert McLelland's apprentice, please take it elsewhere.
Angry, keep up the good work!
Posted by: PlaidShirt at November 10, 2006 04:19 PM (F47cQ)
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MikeS, Angryinthecornbelt, PlaidShirt: Steve has in the past identified himself as
"a freelance reporter" to outside communities in pursuit of a "story." If he fancies himself an investigative journalist--which, despite dubious ethics, is his perogative--then he should at least abide by the ethics of the profession.
Bloggers--particularly those who aspire to do investigative reporting via their blogs--are changing the nature of journalism. This is a sign of the democratization of the profession, and in my opinion is all to the good. However, it also means that, in the grand spirit of truth-seeking, bloggers must take greater responsibility for their work. Steve's blog is widely read; his popularity--and thus his influence--is growing. I have suggested only that he exercise this influence responsibly, a criticism that is offered with sincerity. I leave it to him to respond according to his conscience.
Posted by: A at November 10, 2006 05:35 PM (YK2nB)
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My stepson, Thomas, was internet friends with Eve. They did phone calls, email and msn back and forth for over a year. Then one day everything stopped. I am assuming that is when she went missing. Approx. 4 weeks later, my stepson gets a call from a detective in Toronto. He wanted to know everything about their converstaions and if he knew which chatrooms she frequented. He also wanted all the pictures Eve sent to Thomas along with this history of their MSN conversations. I have been reading this blog with interest and have read many things that make a person go hmmmm!
Posted by: Lisa at December 05, 2006 12:42 PM (z7pek)
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Luogo interessante, buon disegno, lo gradisco, signore! =)
Posted by: firewall at December 19, 2006 11:18 PM (yNMmW)
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What do we know about the two males with Eva? They look drug users to me. The police suspect one or both of killing Phillip Sit.
Sit was murdered and cut into pieces, and left out in a field. They probably drove there with the pieces in a bag. Did the police look for DNA in cars usually used by those guys? How com we don't hear about those guys' parents? Eva's father lives in China. Would he be hidding Eva? Did the Toronto police contact the police department where her father live?
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 01:32 AM (ZzqwE)
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Phillip Sit's body was found at the Township of King, which is North of Toronto. Anyone knows the specific spot where he was found? Was he found in a bag? Was the bag DNA searched? Who found the body?
http://www.township.king.on.ca/public/index.cfm
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 02:27 AM (ZzqwE)
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Sit's body was found on August 9, 2005, and police confirmed only on August 25 that it was indeed his body. Why that delay?
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 02:34 AM (ZzqwE)
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Phillip Sit's body was found in a heavily wooded area in the Township of King. I've lived in Toronto for 10 years and never heard about that place. Was the trio known to frequent that place? The body had been there for a year before someone located it. Strange. Who found it? Was it found in a bag? Did the police make an inquiry at the college frequented by Sit? If so, did they talk to the trio back then? If so, have notes survived of their interview?
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 02:40 AM (ZzqwE)
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Lisa wrote: "My stepson, Thomas, was internet friends with Eve. They did phone calls, email and msn back and forth for over a year. Then one day everything stopped. I am assuming that is when she went missing."
You are assuming? You should not. Either you're certain or you're not. Don't say that you assume.
"Approx. 4 weeks later, my stepson gets a call from a detective in Toronto. He wanted to know everything about their converstaions and if he knew which chatrooms she frequented. He also wanted all the pictures Eve sent to Thomas along with this history of their MSN conversations."
Why don't you give us details? Post the photos, the messages she sent to Thomas. That would be helpful! All you gave to us is totally useless. Does your stepson know the guys with Eva? Does he have any damaging information about them? The police tell us that Eve was a "regular kid" but don't tell us anything about the other two! Why the hell is that!
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 02:46 AM (ZzqwE)
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Someone wrote: "I am one of Eve's (we call her Eve) closest friends and I appreciate your concern with her. I have read your blog posted on October 28 about my friend Eva Ho, who is missing along with the 2 other guys. "
Strange to call our closest friend's boyfriend, "The OTHER guy". If I knew and liked the boyfriend, I would call him, "Her boyfriend".
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 02:52 AM (ZzqwE)
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Diana asked: "so did they murder their friend and they're in hiding?"
We are not sure yet. Maybe only the two men are involved in the murder and Eve just stands by her man! You remember the song? The other theory is that they're afraid to be cut in pieces like their friend Phillip Sit! Hopefully the police searched the Township of King which is North of Toronto to determine if their bodies are there.
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 11:33 AM (ZzqwE)
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Oops, where's the third one???
The 43-year-old mother has not slept since her usually conscientious teen failed to meet her midnight curfew on Aug. 14. Eve has not been heard from following a 7:45 p.m. phone call that night to childhood friend Chris Yau saying she was with Jackie.
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialp/ost/story.html?id=202aff7c-e5f3-4038-88a2-24987f0d1a78&k=64164
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 11:37 AM (ZzqwE)
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Phillip Sit's father died a year before Phillip died. What did he die of?
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 03:28 PM (ZzqwE)
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I think the answers to our questions is at Harbord College. I wonder if police have checked if anyone else has not returned to school since the discovery of Sit's body.
http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/harbordci/index.htm
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 03:53 PM (ZzqwE)
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Mike wrote "You are assuming? You should not. Either you're certain or you're not. Don't say that you assume."
The last message, to him, was dated a week before she went missing. So I am certain it was around the time she went missing. I stand corrected.
Mike wrote "Why don't you give us details? Post the photos, the messages she sent to Thomas. That would be helpful! All you gave to us is totally useless. Does your stepson know the guys with Eva? Does he have any damaging information about them? The police tell us that Eve was a "regular kid" but don't tell us anything about the other two! Why the hell is that!"
There aren't any details that would be of interest to anyone other than the police. As for giving you totally useless information, I wasn't give anyone any information I was just making a comment in the comment section. No he didn't know the two guys and no he didn't have any damning information about them.
Posted by: Lisa at February 03, 2007 04:24 PM (x16zW)
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Lisa, thanks for replying. Maybe you have some details that may seem unimportant to you, but that could help the investigation. Eva probably knew something about Sit's death. I can't believe she kept that informaton for herself. She must have shared it with someone.
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 05:01 PM (ZzqwE)
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Not a problem. Everything that Thomas had was sent to the Toronto Police...and that was whether we found it important or not. I am like you, if she knew something about Sit's death, I can't imagine how she could keep it to herself. Also, why don't they have more information about the two guys that went missing as well? That is not really a question it is more of a statement.
Posted by: Lisa at February 03, 2007 05:17 PM (x16zW)
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Did you see this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op9aJ6FN3TI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pywjDbBcVA
Posted by: Lisa at February 03, 2007 05:37 PM (x16zW)
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I saw those videos. Nothing that is useful in my investigation. I think the key player is one of the two missing young men who told his grand-mother he was going to the store and come back in 5 minutes. It's probably a lie. He's the the Rosetta Stone of the enigma.
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 03, 2007 08:03 PM (ZzqwE)
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Hello!
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what do you think about it?
Posted by: chikalew at February 04, 2007 10:28 AM (vGhJa)
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Hello, Chikalew. I launched my personal investigation into Eva Ho's disappearance. Do you have precious information for me?
The police is looking for those three persons because they want to solve one of their friends' murder, Phillip Sit. The police believe that they would have information on Sit's activities the day before he was killed, cut off in pieces and his remains left on a field.
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 04, 2007 10:51 AM (ZzqwE)
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Police will NOT solve the case because people, including the missing persons are afraid to talk. Police techniques are too direct. It's like forcing a dog to get into a car: The more you push him, the more he'll try not to get in. If you can't something directly, get it INDIRECTLY. What I suggest to the police is trap people. Spread a rumour, and let them jump on it. Try the old trick: Throw in a steak, and see the dog jump on it.
Posted by: Mike Smith at February 04, 2007 03:19 PM (ZzqwE)
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hey Mike! why are you saying that Philip was chopped teo pieces? I thought the police didn't release any info in regards to how he died...unless you are someone "special."
Posted by: MasterXan at February 25, 2007 03:19 PM (L6iUN)
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MasterXan, I've found this info on Yahoo.com I don't have the link right now.
Posted by: Mike Smith at March 02, 2007 08:36 AM (DjOC8)
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The police does not believe that Sit was killed where he was found. As it's very unlikely that the murderer would have put the body in the car, carry it up to where it was found, I may have interfered that he cut him in a few pieces and make it easier to carry the body. The other possibility is that I may have read that the remainings were found in a bag. If I though that the was the case, then it would again be very unlikely that the murderer would have carry around the whole body.
Another intringuing aspect of the case is the following:
http://www.kingsentinel.com/news/2006/0830/Front_page/003.html
"In addition, the area where the body of Sit was located is a well-travelled road in a rural area of King Township."
It's amazing that the body was found a year later in a, "Well-travelled road"! As I said, I'm waiting that the snow cmelts down before taking a walk over there. I'll try and contact the person who found the body, and try to resolve the case from there.
Posted by: Mike Smith at March 02, 2007 08:58 AM (DjOC8)
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