Professor Accused of Murder by TikToker Awarded $10M

"Rebecca Scofield, an associate professor of American history, sued Ashley Guillard, a Texas-based woman who for years said in TikTok videos that Scofield was responsible for the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. Guillard claimed to have psychic abilities and testified that she read tarot cards to try to solve the murders."

"The $10 million total is more than the $1 million Scofield's attorneys asked for in their closing arguments. About $7.5 million of the sum is for punitive damages and the remaining amount is compensatory. Scofield testified that she developed severe anxiety, PTSD and intense nerve pain as a result of the accusations."

"The jury's decision sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences in the real world for real people and are unacceptable in our community. The murders of the four students on Nov. 13, 2022, was the darkest chapter in our university's history."

Rebecca Scofield, an associate professor of American history at the University of Idaho, won a $10 million lawsuit against Ashley Guillard, a Texas woman who posted TikTok videos falsely claiming Scofield murdered four university students in 2022. Guillard, who claimed psychic abilities and used tarot cards, posted accusations from November 2022 until August 2025. The actual perpetrator, Bryan Kohberger, pleaded guilty in July and received a life sentence without parole. The jury awarded $7.5 million in punitive damages and $2.5 million in compensatory damages, exceeding the $1 million requested by Scofield's attorneys. Scofield testified that the false accusations caused severe anxiety, PTSD, and nerve pain.

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