Massachusetts State News by Evan Green, Crime and Justice Bureau Chief
A Massachusetts woman is dead after she traveled to Arizona for an in-person encounter with a police officer she met on Instagram and now her friends have questions about the circumstances of her death.
Angela Tramonte's friend said she traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, last week for a meeting with a man she met on Instagram. According to her friend, the man is a police officer.
Both were reportedly hiking in Camelback Mountain, just outside of Phoenix. It is believed that Tramonte told her companion during the hike that the heat made her sick and she turned back while he continued on.
Tramonte was nowhere to be found in the parking lot near the man's home where the two had planned to meet after the hike ended. The man called 911 when he couldn't find Tramonte. An extensive search was conducted by helicopters and ground personnel.
A few hours later, Tramonte was found unresponsive at nearby Echo Trail, where she had been hiking with the man, in an area that was adjacent to a residence. Despite efforts to revive her, she remained unresponsive.
There has been no public comment regarding whether or not her companion is actually a police officer. An official cause of death is pending a medical examination. Investigators believe Tramonte died from heat exhaustion. Despite her friend's concerns, authorities say they have no reason to suspect foul play.
Would you travel cross country to meet a stranger from the Internet? Let us know.