A Virginia sheriff's deputy catfished a California teenager, drove across the country, killed 3 of her family members, set fire to her house, and tried to kidnap her

• Three people were killed in California in a catfishing scheme.

• The teenager was catfished and then killed her family.

• He was killed in a gun battle with police after trying to abduct the girl.

A Virginia sheriff's deputy was identified by officials Sunday night as the person who killed three people in California and then tried to abduct a teenager.

The police received a call for a welfare check after a young woman in distress was seen being ushered into a car by a man.

The fire department responded to the scene first as additional calls were received at the same time regarding a fire at a home nearby. The bodies of Mark Winek, his wife, and their daughter were found in the burning home.

After an investigation, the teenage daughter of Brooke Winek was found later that day being driven around in a car by a man who was killed in a gunfight with police.

The police department said that he had catfished the teenager by obtaining her personal information. After parking his car in a neighbor's driveway, he walked to the teen's home and killed his family.

Insider didn't get a response from the police department.

The home of Edward's is more than 2500 miles away. It's not clear when he first traveled to the state of California or how he communicated with the teenager. Less than two weeks ago, he was assigned to the patrol division of the Washington County Sheriff's Department.

The Washington County Sheriff said in a statement that it was shocking and sad that such an evil and wicked person could infiltrate law enforcement while concealing his true identity as a computer predator and murderer. The Winek family, their friends, officers, and everyone affected by this heinous crime are our thoughts and prayers.

Insider did not get a response from the Washington County Sheriff's Department.

The scope of sexual misconduct by police officers is unknown due to a lack of reporting and a systemic effort to cover up such crimes, according to an investigation by the Associated Press.

According to officials, the minor Winek was uninjured, and a fund has been set up to help her and her sister after the deaths of their mother and grandparents.

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