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Here's What We Know About That Pokemon Go Story Making the Rounds
Earlier today, a dead body was discovered in Riverton, Wyoming in the Big Wind River under a highway bridge. A story from County 10 says a 19-year-old woman found the body while playing Pokemon Go. However, after speaking with authorities, including the Riverton Police Department and the Fremont County Sheriff's Department, this could not be confirmed.
"At this time the investigation is ongoing," reads a line from the Sheriff's Department's press release. "Further details as to the circumstances surrounding the death will be released after preliminary autopsy results are received and we have a clearer picture of what occurred."
GameSpot asked spokespeople for the Riverton Police Department and the Sheriff's Department if the person who discovered the body was playing a video game at the time they found the body. However, neither office would confirm this.
We left a message for the sheriff, Jack R. Hornecker. We are also in the process of trying to contact the person who reportedly discovered the body.
The press release mentions only that the body "was discovered by [a] local resident who was walking in the immediate area." The body was found under Wyoming Highway 789 bridge at around 8:40 AM local time.
"The death appears to be accidental in nature and possibly that of a drowning," the press release mentions. "There is no evidence at this time that would indicate foul play. Evidence located at the scene has led investigators to believe the man went into the water at the location he was found."
Riverton Police are working the case alongside the County Sheriff with assistance from the FBI. Check back with GameSpot for more on this case and the possible connection to Pokemon Go.
This story has since been picked up by other outlets, such as Uproxx and Billings, Montana news site KTVQ, though County 10 appears to be the only site mentioning the Pokemon Go connection. It's also worth noting that the County 10 website appears to run on the Pitchengine platform, which allows people to submit their own stories. That doesn't necessarily discredit the story. But that fact, along with some quotes in the story, appear to raise some flags.
The person who reportedly found the body apparently told County 10, "I was trying to get a Pokemon from a natural water resource." This person also referred to multiple Pokemon as "Pokemons," which we wouldn't expect a fan of the franchise to say. However, it's possible this person wasn't a big-time Pokemon fan. After all, the game is sitting at the top of the iTunes charts, so it's visible to a huge audience right now.
In other Pokemon Go news, a man caught a Pidgey while his wife was preparing to give birth. Additionally, the state of Washington is telling people not to play Pokemon Go while driving.
For more on Pokemon Go, check out GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know.
More...
"At this time the investigation is ongoing," reads a line from the Sheriff's Department's press release. "Further details as to the circumstances surrounding the death will be released after preliminary autopsy results are received and we have a clearer picture of what occurred."
GameSpot asked spokespeople for the Riverton Police Department and the Sheriff's Department if the person who discovered the body was playing a video game at the time they found the body. However, neither office would confirm this.We left a message for the sheriff, Jack R. Hornecker. We are also in the process of trying to contact the person who reportedly discovered the body.
The press release mentions only that the body "was discovered by [a] local resident who was walking in the immediate area." The body was found under Wyoming Highway 789 bridge at around 8:40 AM local time.
"The death appears to be accidental in nature and possibly that of a drowning," the press release mentions. "There is no evidence at this time that would indicate foul play. Evidence located at the scene has led investigators to believe the man went into the water at the location he was found."
Riverton Police are working the case alongside the County Sheriff with assistance from the FBI. Check back with GameSpot for more on this case and the possible connection to Pokemon Go.
This story has since been picked up by other outlets, such as Uproxx and Billings, Montana news site KTVQ, though County 10 appears to be the only site mentioning the Pokemon Go connection. It's also worth noting that the County 10 website appears to run on the Pitchengine platform, which allows people to submit their own stories. That doesn't necessarily discredit the story. But that fact, along with some quotes in the story, appear to raise some flags.
The person who reportedly found the body apparently told County 10, "I was trying to get a Pokemon from a natural water resource." This person also referred to multiple Pokemon as "Pokemons," which we wouldn't expect a fan of the franchise to say. However, it's possible this person wasn't a big-time Pokemon fan. After all, the game is sitting at the top of the iTunes charts, so it's visible to a huge audience right now.
In other Pokemon Go news, a man caught a Pidgey while his wife was preparing to give birth. Additionally, the state of Washington is telling people not to play Pokemon Go while driving.
For more on Pokemon Go, check out GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know.
More...