Dial G for Murder

Dial G for Murder

Nov 21, 2005
1 minute read
eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Google is useful for all kinds of things—finding Web pages, getting driving directions, even doing math. Now add murder to that list. According to a published report from television station WRAL in North Carolina, investigators looking into the 2-year-old murder of Janine Sutphen said that the prime suspect in the murder, Sutphens husband, Robert Petrick, used Google to search for terms such as “neck,” “snap” and “break,” in the weeks before his wife died.

The evidence was collected from computers seized from Petricks home and shows that Petrick also used Google to collect information on the levels of local lakes, water currents and boat ramps four days before he reported his wife missing in January 2003. Sutphens body was eventually found floating in a Raleigh lake.

eWeek Logo

eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site's focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.