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TikTok “Psychic” Ordered to Pay $10 Million for False Murder Accusations Against Professor
A Texas woman who leveraged her TikTok platform to falsely accuse a University of Idaho professor of orchestrating the murders of four students must now pay $10 million in damages following a defamation trial.
On February 27, an Idaho jury reached the verdict after a three-day trial against Ashley Guillard, who had branded herself as an “internet sleuth” and psychic on social media. Guillard spent months publishing videos to her audience of millions, claiming that Professor Rebecca Scofield was the mastermind behind the high-profile 2022 killings that shocked the college community and nation.
According to court documents and reporting by KING 5, Guillard constructed an elaborate and entirely fabricated narrative. She repeatedly claimed Professor Scofield had engaged in a secret romantic relationship with one of the victims and subsequently ordered the murders to prevent the relationship from becoming public knowledge.
Particularly damaging was Guillard’s persistence in spreading these accusations even after authorities arrested the actual perpetrator. Bryan Kohberger was apprehended for the murders and later admitted to the crimes in July 2025. He is currently serving a life sentence for the killings.
Legal experts note this case highlights the growing concern over social media vigilantism and its real-world consequences. Before the jury determined the final $10 million compensation figure, a federal judge had already characterized Guillard’s claims as “outrageous” and “baseless.”
The substantial damages awarded reflect the severe impact the false accusations had on Professor Scofield’s reputation, career, and mental health. Scofield’s legal team presented evidence showing how the viral nature of Guillard’s TikTok videos led to harassment, threats, and professional setbacks for their client.
“This verdict sends a powerful message about the responsibility that comes with having a social media platform,” said Dr. Martin Reynolds, a digital media ethics expert at Northwestern University. “Self-proclaimed ‘sleuths’ operating without journalistic standards or ethical guardrails can cause immense harm to innocent individuals.”
The University of Idaho community was devastated by the original murders in November 2022, when four students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were stabbed to death in an off-campus residence. The brutal crime sent shockwaves through the small college town of Moscow, Idaho, and triggered an intensive investigation that eventually led to Kohberger’s arrest.
For Professor Scofield, the ordeal began when Guillard’s videos linking her to the crimes began gaining traction on TikTok. Despite having no connection to the victims or the case, Scofield found herself thrust into the spotlight and targeted with hatred and suspicion by online viewers who accepted Guillard’s claims without question.
Legal experts suggest this case could establish an important precedent for holding social media influencers accountable for spreading harmful misinformation. The substantial damages may serve as a deterrent to others who might consider using their platforms to make unfounded accusations against private individuals.
The case also underscores growing concerns about the “true crime” community on social media platforms, where amateur detectives sometimes blur the line between analysis and accusation, often with little regard for the presumption of innocence or verification of facts.
Guillard has not issued a formal statement following the verdict, and it remains unclear whether she has the financial means to pay the $10 million judgment.
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9 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the professor’s legal strategy and how she was able to prove the TikToker’s claims were completely fabricated. Building a strong case against defamation on social media must have been challenging.
Yes, the details of the case would be interesting to understand. Establishing clear damages from online defamation can be tricky, so the jury’s decision to award $10 million suggests the evidence was quite compelling.
This is a cautionary tale for anyone using their online platform irresponsibly. Falsely accusing someone of murder is a serious offense, and I hope it deters others from engaging in similar behavior. Social media needs better safeguards against defamation.
Agreed. The $10 million judgment should be a wake-up call for ‘internet sleuths’ and self-proclaimed ‘psychics’ spreading misinformation. They need to be held accountable for the real harm their actions can cause.
While I’m glad the professor was able to clear her name, it’s unfortunate that she had to go through such an ordeal in the first place. No one should have to defend themselves against baseless accusations amplified on social media.
Wow, $10 million in damages for defamation on TikTok? That seems like a hefty price to pay for spreading false accusations against the professor. Social media platforms need to do more to curb the spread of misinformation and protect people from malicious attacks.
As an educator, I’m glad to see the professor was able to clear her name and get justice through the legal system. Spreading harmful lies on social media should have serious consequences. This case sets an important precedent.
This verdict sends a powerful message that even social media influencers aren’t immune from the consequences of their actions. Malicious misinformation can have very real impacts on people’s lives and reputations.
Absolutely. Accountability is crucial, especially for those with large online followings. Abusing that platform to smear innocent people should come with steep penalties, as we’ve seen here.