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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: April 21, 2007 Evolution of a lie leads to long line of deceit By Scott Steussy and Shirley Wentworth Ashland Daily Tidings Matthew Gemmell | For the Tidings SOU student Brandi Freeman offers her story of grief during a vigil, Thursday, held by SOU students in honor of the students killed at Virginia Tech on April 16. Brandi Freeman's tale began with a fabrication embedded in distant national tragedy, but then imploded in to a story of personal woe as the truth came out, piece by piece. On Friday morning, the Ashland Daily Tidings prepared to run a story about a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. In the article, Freeman spoke before those gathered at the vigil and claimed that her cousin, Kayla Grow, was one of the deceased. Freeman also spoke about the pain of not remaining in contact with family members, and the shock of finding out that one had died in a tragedy. Before deadline, the Tidings was notified that Kayla Grow was not on the list of the dead posted on Virginia Tech's Web site. Editors removed portions of the story containing Freeman, including a photo of her being consoled at the vigil. Further investigation began. The reporter who covered the story rechecked her notes and shared information not included in the original draft of the story, including Freeman's claim that Grow had graduated from Gladstone High School in the Portland area. Calls made to the Virginia Tech registrar office revealed that no student of the name Kayla Grow was registered at the university. Subsequent calls to the Blacksburg Police Department and Montgomery Regional Hospital — where the victims were transported — indicated that no one by the name Kayla Grow died or received treatment for wounds stemming from the Virginia Tech incident. Another call to the Gladstone High School student administrations office revealed that no one named Kaylay Grow had graduated in the past two years. Attempts to reach Freeman were made by phone and she was confronted in person on campus Friday afternoon. "She's not?" Freeman reacted when told the person she had named was not listed among the dead. When asked about Kayla Grow's absence from the Virginia Tech list and her absence from the Gladstone High School list, Freeman said, "Maybe she has a different last name," adding that many of her relatives have different last names and that the last name of her cousin's sister was "Grow." Freeman said she got her information about her cousin's death from her grandmother. Freeman attempted to call her grandmother to verify, but said her phone was on low battery, and promised to call The Tidings when she had more information. Freeman also corrected the spelling of her cousin's name, from "Kaylay" to "Kayla." Vice President of Student Affairs Jonathan Eldridge, who was present at Thursday's night's vigil, was unaware Grow's name was absent from Virginia Tech's list, and asked if she was on the injured list. He promised to follow up. At 2 p.m., Freeman contacted the Tidings and spoke to city editor Myles Murphy. During the interview, Freeman explained the discrepancies by saying that Kayla's last name might also be Wilson. Later in the interview, Freeman claimed her cousin was in a witness protection program and her name had been changed to Emily Hilscher. Hilscher, 19, was the first victim of Monday's shooting and is listed on Virginia Tech's Web site. Parents Elizabeth and Eric Hilscher were unavailable for comment. A call made to the Rappahannock County Public School System office confirmed that Hilscher had been enrolled in Rappahannock schools since kindergarten. During a subsequent and lengthy phone call with the Tidings she was convinced that coming forward with the truth now would be preferable to carrying on the charade in the face of all the facts piled against her story. City Editor Myles Murphy and staff reporter Robert Plain contributed to this report. Current Comments: This must be a slap in the face to all of those who really lost someone in Monday's tragedy. For a student, especially one who participates in student government activities, is disheartening. These actions are inexcusable and her attempt to excuse them makes this even more disgusting. I believe the university should be able to take action in this matter. I am horrified that the entire world will see this and what a horrible reputation she has given the rest of us at SOU. liz - medford. or - April 21st, 3:20 PM "University President Jonathan Eldridge, who was present at Thursday's night's vigil, was unaware Grow's name was absent from Virginia Tech's list, and asked if she was on the injured list. He promised to follow up." University President Jonathan Eldridge....Really? When did he become president? Bill Hendrickson - Ashland OR - April 21st, 5:22 PM Brandi Freeman is so perfect and will , I am sure , some day become a congresswoman , and maybe even President [ or CEO for sure ] . She truly embodies all the qualities that makes America what it is and needs , to keep it on the same track President Bush is on . She is truly America's child . Joe - Ashland , Oregon - April 22nd, 8:29 AM Who notified the tidings of that this woman was not part of the deceased? Are you protecting a source or is your passive voice another sign of your poor journalism? Why was the tidings preparing to run a story that was false? Andrew Scott Bolsinger, will you please answer these questions? Derek - Ashland - April 22nd, 5:07 PM Derek, No need to protect a "source." In trying to find a photo of Kaylay Grow, Mail Tribune editors discovered she was not on the list of those killed at Va. Tech. They notified us in the AM. We weren't "preparing to run a story that was false." We were preparing to run a story we believed to be true, about the vigil where Freeman said her cousin was among the dead. After a 16-hour day, with two newspapers published, we apologize for a typo or two. Editor - Ashland - April 23rd, 8:56 AM Many people have suggested after the shooting at V. Tech that Cho needed counseling and mental health support. Maybe some compassion should be extended to this girl, who is young, inexperienced and, admittedly, mentally ill. I know I will only extend compassion and support to her. Rudeness and cruely to her will only lead to more cruelty and heartache in the end. Z. - Ashland - April 23rd, 3:14 PM I would like to know how this article, or artic-torial, develops community dialogue or manages to look after Ashland's best interest. One of our young students made a HUGE mistake, and is now learning the consequences of her actions. For you to run a play by play of how the action occurred seems like a cheap ploy to totally abstain from the fact you were almost fooled. You did your job and brought up the facts, quit trying to paint a picture of this girl as a villain and yourselves as damsels. J - Ashland, Oregon - April 23rd, 4:46 PM Hello, Good for you in finding a false story. I've seen so many false stories printed by newspapers that I'm really glad to see one that didn't make it to press. Most papers don't care as long as the story sells. As for the other comments I believe your story is a good lesson For Brandi. I see here all the time and will pray that she gets the help she needs. It is availlable on the campus here. G - Ashland - April 23rd, 9:15 PM I am appalled at her blatant lies when there are those really suffering from a loss in this tragedy. Yet this is a blessing in disguise that she was caught now in her lies rather than being able to continue her debauchery as president of ASSOU. Sam - Ashland, OR - April 24th, 11:32 AM Just like Cho, there are many people out there that are mentaly ill. Brandi has admitted mental illness and this episode proves that we may not even understand the exstent of it. My major concern is that now Brandi has left SOU for Portland and we do not know what she will be up to next. Without her friends and family here, we can not protect others or her from herself. I worry about her future acts. This could be a cry for help. If you know Brandi, please ask her to admit herself to a hospital. Sou Student - Gold Hill, OR - April 24th, 1:01 PM HUMMM I would love to see the documentation that states that this girl really has a mental illness. We are a society that is so quick to hid behind an illness.. Give her some more drugs huh. Wouldn�t it be great if she just took responsibility for her actions instead of blaming it on an illness.. WOW that's an idea! K - Ashland - April 24th, 4:27 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. 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