Professor Awarded $10M in Defamation Case Over False Murder Allegations

A University of Idaho professor has been awarded a $10 million judgment in a defamation case against a TikTok tarot card reader who falsely linked her to the 2022 Idaho college murders that shocked the nation.

On Friday, a Boise jury in US District Court ordered Texas-based TikTok influencer Ashley Guillard to pay the substantial damages after determining she had falsely accused history department chair Rebecca Scofield of orchestrating the murders of four University of Idaho students. Guillard had claimed Scofield had a secret romantic relationship with one of the victims and had “ordered” the killings.

“The murders of the four students on November 13, 2022, were the darkest chapter in our university’s history,” Scofield told Fox News following the verdict. “Today’s decision shows that respect and care should always be granted to victims during these tragedies.”

The judgment included $7.5 million in punitive damages and $2.5 million in compensatory damages. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before reaching their decision.

The defamation lawsuit stemmed from a series of TikTok videos Guillard began posting in late November 2022, just weeks after Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death at an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho. The videos, which garnered millions of views across the platform, accused Scofield of having orchestrated the killings despite having no connection to the victims.

According to court documents, Scofield had never met any of the murdered students and was out of state when the killings occurred. Despite receiving cease-and-desist letters and police publicly confirming Scofield had no connection to the crimes, Guillard continued posting accusatory videos to her more than 100,000 followers.

When initially sued, Guillard showed no remorse, instead posting a defiant video saying, “I am not stopping,” and questioning why Scofield needed legal representation “if she’s so innocent.”

During the damages trial, Scofield described the emotional distress she experienced seeing her name associated with the brutal murders online. Her legal team successfully argued that the false accusations portrayed her as a criminal and alleged professional misconduct that threatened her academic career.

Guillard, who represented herself in court, maintained that her statements were merely beliefs based on tarot card readings. She testified that she possessed psychic abilities and used tarot cards in attempting to solve the high-profile case that drew international attention to the small college town.

The actual perpetrator, Bryan Kohberger, was a criminology student at nearby Washington State University. He pleaded guilty to the quadruple murders in July 2025 under a plea agreement that removed the possibility of the death penalty. Kohberger is currently serving four consecutive life sentences in Idaho.

In June 2024, Chief US Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco had already determined Guillard’s statements to be legally defamatory, leaving only the question of damages for the jury to decide.

Following the verdict, Scofield expressed hope that the case would serve as a warning about online defamation. “I hope the case sends a clear warning that making false statements online have consequences in the real world,” she said. “I am hopeful that this difficult chapter in my life is over, and I can return to a more normal life with my family and the wonderful Moscow community.”

The case highlights the growing legal consequences for social media influencers who spread unfounded theories about high-profile crimes. It also underscores the real-world harm that can result from viral misinformation, particularly in sensitive cases involving violent crimes that attract substantial public attention.