Woman found dead after fraud investigation

Summary

A woman claiming to be a 15-year-old boy with cancer admits to telling a year full of lies.

Story Published: Jul 23, 2009 at 3:40 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2009 at 6:35 PM MDT

Woman found dead after fraud investigation
AMMON - The woman responsible for creating an online fraud involving the Livestrong foundation has been found dead in her car.

Meet 15-year-old Jonathan Jay White. A young boy from Ammon, Idaho fighting for his life against brain cancer. The boy blogs of his optimism and strength, having swooned the hearts of many across the world including donations of generous funds.

The world now knows him as 24-year-old Melissa Rice. The woman behind the cancer, the blogs, and all the lies.

Recently Lance Armstrong, the boy's major contributor with the Livestrong Foundation, received disturbing news. Rice confessed there was no little boy and there was definitely no cancer patient.

Bonneville County Sheriff's office served a search warrant to Rice's house Tuesday. They didn't find her, but found tons of donations and celebrity memorabilia.

A day later, police found Rice dead in her car five miles south of Henry's Canyon.

"It's a tragic situation all around for victims family and any body who donated stuff. Its just a terrible situation," Sgt. Doug Metcalf, Bonneville County Sheriff's Office.

At this point there's no telling why Rice made up the boy and we may never know.

Due to her death, the prosecutor's office has dropped all charges. Police are asking for your help for any clues in this ongoing investigation.

if you have information please call the bonneville detectives office at 529-1375.

Quran burning

A Florida pastor says he is likely to burn copies of the Quran on September 11th. Gen. David Petraeus says the action could endanger US troops. The pastor says he's just standing up to radical Islam. What do you think of the idea?

  • A stupid idea. His symbolic protest puts real soldiers in danger, and shows the world we practice the same intolerance we condemn in our enemy.
  • A great idea. We need to spend less time worrying about whether our enemies in this war might be offended. If this is how he chooses to express himself, I'm all for it.
  • Not sure.