The day everyone thought I’d killed someone
I’ll start this by saying that I mean no disrespect to the family involved and hope that they are doing well. No one should have to endure the loss of a child, especially to senseless violence.
In 2005 I was living in Ottawa, working for the government - ok, hardly working for the government. I was playing frisbee six nights a week, going out lots and hooking up with girls - life was great.
In September, a local girl went missing and was later found dead. In Canada murders like this are pretty rare and so it was big news - nationally broadcast even. On the bus and train to work I’d read the free local ‘Metro’ paper and would skim stories about the case. Months went by without any news and it faded from my memory.
I was re-acquainted with all this on a hungover Monday morning - January 14th, 2006. My boss told me that a reporter had called asking about me - if I was a good guy and so on I guess. The reporter explained to him that I’d turned myself in for the murder of the famously murdered girl. Naturally I was taken aside immediately when I rolled into work - keep in mind this is a high security military facility.
I quickly learned that my boss isn’t the only one who had been contacted - a trickle, then dozens of people got in touch with me saying that reporters or police had called. Friends, enemies, frisbee teammates and league organizers. Some guy who barely knew me gave the Ottawa Sun a lengthy interview. Meanwhile it’s national news that Kevin Davis, 24 years old (my age at the time) had turned himself in for murder. Turned himself in - whilst high on drugs, naked and in the street. After initially denying it, he later found a guy who looked like a cop - and was a cop! to turn himself in to.
Fortunately Kevin Davis the murderer doesn’t look anything like me, but I’m sure some people I went to high school with think I’m locked up somewhere.
One more reason for better digital identity.
