CHRISTOPHER Rowe turned to Facebook when he was trying to find out information about his parents and sister, found dead after a triple murder in Kapunda.
Yesterday, however, the social networking website was hijacked by internet vandals who ruined the intent of the tribute pages that were set up in memory of Andrew, Rose and Chantelle Rowe.
As family and friends sought solace and support, an internet "troll" posted crude messages and offensive images.
By 2pm yesterday, more than 6000 people had joined three Facebook tribute pages set up in memory of the Rowes.
But their attempts to console each other were sidetracked by the vandals who made particularly offensive posts about Chantelle, 16, pictured.
Facebook sent a message to all Australian page administrators in March offering advice on the best security settings to reduce "trolling" after vandalism of tribute pages set up for deceased children and teenagers including Trinity Bates, Elliot Fletcher, Michelle Morrisey, Saxon Bird and Corey Siemers.
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But Deakin University information technology lecturer Ross Monaghan said yesterday that Facebook's message to page administrators was not an adequate response. "I can't start to imagine the added pain that families and friends feel when this sort of thing happens," he said.
"The people who have created these tribute pages to help families, friends and communities through these horrible situations are often going through a lot of stress themselves.
"The last thing they want to do is be online 24/7 monitoring what gets posted.
"Facebook and other social networking companies make considerable profits from their sites and they should do something about it."
Victims' Rights Commissioner Michael O'Connell said it was "appalling" that people published "disrespectful, humiliating and degrading information".
Police refused to comment on the defacing of the Rowe family's tribute pages but the vandals were not able to distract family and friends from expressing their sympathy for the family's only surviving member. Christopher Rowe's own Facebook page was flooded with messages of support.
Kate Smith wrote: "I know that nothing can be said to make you feel any better and I couldn't imagine what you are going through right now. Just know we are all thinking of you ... stay strong".
On the tribute sites, loved ones shared their grief and comforted each other.
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