How we report a developing case
These are the rules every case file on this site is built to follow — without exception. They exist to protect two things at once: the accuracy of the record, and the dignity and rights of the people inside it. If a file ever breaks one of these rules, that's a mistake to correct, not a judgment call we made.
Every fact names its source
Nothing appears as a statement of fact unless it can be attributed to a named, publicly available source — a police statement, a court filing, an official press release, or established news reporting. If we can't source it, it does not go on the page.
Never — "The body was identified." (no source = withheld)
No one is guilty of anything here
We never state or imply that a specific person committed a crime. People who have been charged are described using the exact status reported ("charged with," "arrested on suspicion of") and always attributed to the authority that reported it. Uncharged individuals are not named as suspects. Ever.
Never — naming, hinting at, or building a theory around who "did it."
Unknowns are labelled, not resolved
Anything not confirmed lives in the "open questions" section, clearly marked as unconfirmed. We do not fill gaps with inference, and we never let the arrangement of facts imply a conclusion the sources don't state.
The people come before the traffic
These files involve the missing, the dead, and their grieving families. We honour requests for privacy, we don't publish graphic detail for effect, and we don't sensationalise. If a choice trades a family's dignity for clicks, we don't make it.
Rumour and social posts are labelled as such
Information circulating on social media is not treated as fact. Where a widely-discussed claim originates from an unofficial post, we attribute it precisely to that post and mark it unverified — or we leave it out.
Community input is moderated before it appears
Reader discussion is welcome for surfacing public information. It is moderated. We remove anything that names private individuals as suspects, spreads unverified accusations, or targets any person. No comment naming a private individual in connection with wrongdoing is ever published.
Corrections are fast, visible, and logged
When something is wrong, we fix it promptly and note that the file was corrected. If a person we've mentioned is cleared, exonerated, or the reporting changes, the file is updated immediately to reflect it. Removal requests from affected individuals are taken seriously and reviewed quickly.
How each file is produced and verified
This rulebook is public because our credibility depends on it. If you believe a file falls short of these standards, or you're personally affected by one, contact us and we'll review it promptly.