Corinne Vien

And I was like, well, the facts are right here. Jake's online presence started as a way for him to show his recovery, to tell his story, and maybe even to inspire others. He read every single comment and response. Occasionally, there'd be a snarky comment made by a stranger, but, you know, such is life in the age of the internet. But Jake also noticed something else.

And I was like, well, the facts are right here. Jake's online presence started as a way for him to show his recovery, to tell his story, and maybe even to inspire others. He read every single comment and response. Occasionally, there'd be a snarky comment made by a stranger, but, you know, such is life in the age of the internet. But Jake also noticed something else.

Occasionally, a new profile would pop up. And to Jake, these looked like burner accounts. And all of these accounts seemed to make similar comments and to have a similar writing style.

Occasionally, a new profile would pop up. And to Jake, these looked like burner accounts. And all of these accounts seemed to make similar comments and to have a similar writing style.

After reading many text threads and email exchanges, I know what Jake is referring to here. There's often the use of capitalization, mid-sentence, in places that you may not ordinarily see it. I pulled an example of this from an email sent by Ellen advocating for Jake back on February 18, 2018. Quote, End quote.

After reading many text threads and email exchanges, I know what Jake is referring to here. There's often the use of capitalization, mid-sentence, in places that you may not ordinarily see it. I pulled an example of this from an email sent by Ellen advocating for Jake back on February 18, 2018. Quote, End quote.

The use of capitalization isn't exactly rare, but Jake wondered if these comments were a clear indication that he was being watched. Amy remembers another challenge. One Jake hadn't anticipated. A request that he never speak about what happened. That this entire chapter of his life remain a secret. It was an unusual demand, but in that moment, Jake realized something else.

The use of capitalization isn't exactly rare, but Jake wondered if these comments were a clear indication that he was being watched. Amy remembers another challenge. One Jake hadn't anticipated. A request that he never speak about what happened. That this entire chapter of his life remain a secret. It was an unusual demand, but in that moment, Jake realized something else.

This was the fourth thing he needed. And on this, he would not budge. His story was his story. He had spent years without a voice. No one was going to silence him now.

This was the fourth thing he needed. And on this, he would not budge. His story was his story. He had spent years without a voice. No one was going to silence him now.

I asked Amy if this was something you could do. And at the time, she was a newly licensed attorney. And she told me that she went through great lengths to consult with family law attorneys, IP attorneys and people who were many, many years her senior and practicing law. In the end, this request was unforcible. Amy told Jake, just sign it.

I asked Amy if this was something you could do. And at the time, she was a newly licensed attorney. And she told me that she went through great lengths to consult with family law attorneys, IP attorneys and people who were many, many years her senior and practicing law. In the end, this request was unforcible. Amy told Jake, just sign it.

It wasn't something that would hold up in courts if he ever got to that point again. But Jake refused. He wanted it to be extremely clear. He was not going to just pretend that this didn't happen.

It wasn't something that would hold up in courts if he ever got to that point again. But Jake refused. He wanted it to be extremely clear. He was not going to just pretend that this didn't happen.

Jake was after a few other specific things. His iCloud account, which had photos of his demise, his recovery, childhood pictures, photos with friends. And he also wanted his mom's belongings. And then some random odds and ends that would help him recover.

Jake was after a few other specific things. His iCloud account, which had photos of his demise, his recovery, childhood pictures, photos with friends. And he also wanted his mom's belongings. And then some random odds and ends that would help him recover.

I asked the same question back to Eli and later to Jake. Why not just give the Alexa back? Why do you want a three-year-old Alexa? And it all came down to accessibility. That Alexa knew his voice. That model was easy for him to navigate. They didn't want him to have to start from scratch with yet another thing.

I asked the same question back to Eli and later to Jake. Why not just give the Alexa back? Why do you want a three-year-old Alexa? And it all came down to accessibility. That Alexa knew his voice. That model was easy for him to navigate. They didn't want him to have to start from scratch with yet another thing.

An Alexa speaker seemed like a small and simple enough thing to give him, but Ellen had originally paid for that Alexa, so it was technically hers. So Jake asked for his TV, some artwork, some personal belongings of his and his mom's, access to his photos and videos, his sperm, the right to tell his own story, and apparently the Alexa.

An Alexa speaker seemed like a small and simple enough thing to give him, but Ellen had originally paid for that Alexa, so it was technically hers. So Jake asked for his TV, some artwork, some personal belongings of his and his mom's, access to his photos and videos, his sperm, the right to tell his own story, and apparently the Alexa.