Police have arrested three people, including a 17-year-old boy, as part of a fraud probe into a GoFundMe page which claimed to have been set up to raise money in memory of four young men who died when their car crashed into a house.
Ryan Nelson, 20, Corey Owen, 19, Matthew Parke, 19, and Jordan Rawlings, 20, were all killed in the ‘horrific collision’ in Derry Hill near Calne, Wilshire in August.
Following the tragedy, a fundraising page title ‘Jordan, Corey, Matt, Ryan Memorial’ was launched, with more than £4,000 raised within hours.
However, police now believe the page was not set up by any of the four families, was fraudulent, and are now trying to trace everyone who donated money, over fears they may have been victims of crime.
The victims, named as Corey Owen, Ryan Nelson (left), Jordan Rawlings and Matthew Parke (right), died in the ‘horrific collision’ in Derry Hill near Calne, Wilshire in August
Pictured left: Corey Owen and right: Jordan Rawlings – two victims of the crash in August
Officers travelled more than 100 miles to the Northamptonshire area on October 22 and arrested a 32-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
Yesterday officers returned to the same area and arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
A large quantity of Class A drugs was also found at the suspect’s property and he was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.
All three have been released under investigation while enquiries are ongoing.
Inspector James Brain, from the Chippenham Area Community Policing Team, said: ‘The collision back in August was truly devastating for the local community in Calne and I know many people will have seen this fundraising page as an opportunity to show how much they cared and to ensure that a lasting memorial to the four young men was created for the town.
‘I understand that people may be feeling upset and angry about this news, but I want to reassure everyone that we are carrying out detailed enquiries to understand exactly what has happened with regards to this donation page.’
Friends of the four victims suggested shortly after the tragedy that the group had likely been on a night out in Chippenham before the crash, but were unsure whether the drive had been with them.
‘They were just lovely lads – the nicest guys,’ a woman said. ‘They were the life of Calne. They loved a drink and a smoke.’
Photographs, letters, football shirts, beer cans and even a Pot Noodle were left by the side of the A4 following the tragic collision.
One note addressed to ‘Jordan, Corey, Matt and Ryan’ lay propped up against a tree while another letter read: ‘Keep partying up there guys, I’ll always look up and think of you guys.’
A line of bouquets were also placed by the road and framed pictures of the four victims were left as well.
Photographs, letters, football shirts, beer cans and even a Pot Noodle were left by the side of the A4 following the tragic collision in August
Scorched grass and boarded up windows on a property next to A4 near Derry Hill
One letter read: ‘You will forever be in my thoughts and I’ll never forget your smiley faces. You were amazing people to work with and all filled with joy.
‘Keep partying up there guys, I’ll always look up and think of you guys.’
Retired builder Peter Connolly and his wife Margaret tried to save the young men from the blaze after the car slammed into their home, but the fire was too intense.
The terrified young men shouted ‘help us’ as the couple desperately tried to come to their aid.
Mr Connolly, who is in his 70s, told The Sun: ‘I’d gone up to bed just after 2am because I was watching the TV downstairs.
‘I’d just nodded off when there was a sound like a bomb going off. It made the whole house rattle and shake. I was sleeping just 4ft from where the car struck the house.’
He said the collision into his property blew out the windows in his home and caused his wristwatch to stop working at the moment of the crash.
One letter in tribute to the four young men read: ‘Keep partying up there guys, I’ll always look up and think of you guys’
The car is removed from the scene on the A4 in the Wiltshire village of Derry Hill
Robert Merrick, a local councillor, said at the time: ‘The tragic news that we have lost four young men from Calne at the start of their lives in a tragic car accident is devastating.
‘My thoughts are with the families and friends at the time and I offer you any support you may need.
‘The community of Calne will come together once again to help you and your families at this time. I am so deeply, deeply sorry.’
Fellow town councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney said: ‘My thoughts are with the families and friends of the four young males who tragically died after their car crashed into the side of a house in Derry Hill.’
Anyone who donated money to this specific GoFundMe page should call Wiltshire Police on 101, quoting crime reference 54200119835 and providing details of their name, address, phone number and how much money was donated.