The CHP eventually accepted responsibility for the leak. A fake Myspace page was created that at first looked like a tribute to Nikki but led viewers to the horrific images. Some of the graphic images – leaked by people who worked for the California Highway Patrol – were accompanied by messages that disparaged the dead teenager and her family. In the next few weeks, as the Catsouras family was trying to cope with Nikki’s death, photos of Nikki’s remains began circulating online. That was the start of the family’s horror. Still strapped into the driver’s seat, she nearly was decapitated.

The Porsche flew across the dirt median and into oncoming lanes before slamming into an unmanned toll booth in Lake Forest, killing Nikki instantly. She’d taken off in her father’s Porsche and, while driving as fast as 100 mph, she clipped another car and lost control. Nikki was killed on the afternoon of Oct. If losing a child is the worst pain imaginable, the Catsouras family has had to endure that and more. “When you say things online, you don’t see the consequences.” “I’m hoping that with more awareness, things can change,” Catsouras, 46, says. (When you do that) you don’t just harm one person … you can destroy an entire family. “I hope this book will send a message to anyone who has taunted or bullied someone online, or is thinking about it.