Is Ashli Ford the Svengali of crimefighting?

Or, does she use crime victims and demonize police and prosecutors to promote herself and her products the way they say she does? You be the judge.

NORWALK — This is a recent exchange of comments at StayTunedSandusky.com in response to the story, Will answers come with plea deal at Fred Reer’s final pretrial? The pretrial is this morning and StayTunedSandusky.com will be live at Substack at the first chance during the hearing or immediately afterwards.

As a reporter and editor for the Sandusky Register I was privy to how news coverage about the mystery of Amanda Dean’s disappearance developed and why the state launched an investigation the first week of January 2023. Ashli Ford wasn’t even remotely involved in all that, despite claims at her social media sites that she solved the Amanda Dean homicide case.

A local woman who has successfully advocated for crime victims leads a rally at the Huron County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 3. 2023, what would be Amanda Dean’s 42nd birthday. (Photo/Matt Westerhold)

It’s difficult to see actual events portrayed in a way to personally benefit an individual’s standing as an influencer and not say something to correct the narrative. I started a comment at the page, but finished it here. I hope it’s helpful.

Practice promoting

Here is some of the comment exchange at Facebook that prompted my response:

Reader asks, “Did Ashli Ford really solve the case?”

Anonymous participant 311 replies, “Yes she did.”

Reader wants more info: “Show me the paper work? You can FOIA it, I want to see her name published that she did and none of you can, not even her. You can also FOIA the prosecution witness list and her name isn’t on there, if she did then she would be called as possibly the lead detective to the case and you know what, SHE ISN’T on it for she wasn’t lead detective or even a pea on one either. SHE DIDN’T SOLVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Stop worshipping her like a “FAT GOLDEN CALF” and maybe she will go the “F” away!!!!!!!!