Vile web trolls target wife of London attack victim claiming pictures of her injuries are 'fake'

Trolls: A man has slammed Melissa Cochran online for 'smiling so much'.
Clint Payne/PA Wire
Francesca Gillett3 April 2017

Vile internet trolls have targeted the heartbroken wife of a US tourist killed in the Westminster terror attack, claiming defiant pictures of her battling back from her injuries are fake.

Kurt Cochran, from Utah, was mowed down by terrorist Khalid Masood during a rampage on Westminster Bridge and outside Parliament on March 22.

Over $80,000 - around £60,000 - has since been raised online for his bereaved wife Melissa, who was left with terrible injuries after the attack which happened while the couple were in London celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

After pictures emerged of Ms Cochran bravely smiling in hospital, a vicious video was posted online calling the online tribute fund a “hoax” and demanding: “Why is Melissa Cochran smiling so much? Didn’t she just lose a husband?”

Road to recovery: Melissa Cochran in hospital

The cruel video, posted online by Twitter user @DanaEddy, an account which says it is run by a Dana Wells from Texas, shows a photo of Mrs Cochran balancing on crutches as she recovers in hospital following the horrific attack.

The seven-minute video pans over the photograph, attempting to pick it apart, suggesting it is fake.

A man narrating the video says: “Does that look like the face of a woman who just lost her husband tragically?”

He adds: “Look at that face. Look at her face, she’s smiling from ear to ear. So look at that IV pole, no IV. Don’t see any IVS over here... nothing is attached to her arms.

Kurt Cochran, of Utah, was killed in the Westminster terror attack, pictured with his wife Melissa.

“Usually they don’t take you off fluids or a heart monitor or something until you’re discharged. Maybe they’ve got different rules but she’s not hooked up.”

He remarks on a mug seen in the photograph which bears the Union Jack flag, laughing as he says: “They’re trying to sell that it’s in England.

“Maybe this isn’t even in England.”

Several other people have commented on the video, posted by YouTube account Dana W, calling Mrs Cochran a “fake phoney”.

One YouTube user, Eman Puedama writes: “Yes she doesn’t seem very upset about her husband dying.”

Many people who have donated to the GoFundMe fundraising page have hit out at troll Dana Wells and said he “has a history of promoting propaganda conspiracy theories”.

Victim: Kurt Cochran and wife Melissa were on a trip celebrating their 25th anniversary.
PA

Tamara Shaw said: “He seeks to spread lies and promote contention. Pray for him. His heart is filled with ugliness and hatred.”

​Karrie Coates said: “This family has suffered a significant loss. Your comments are cruel and not something they need to deal with.

“Move on and leave the family alone to grieve and say goodbye to a loved one that was taken way too soon.”

Under Dana Wells' Twitter bio, he describes himself as: "Lover of God, husband, father, fisher of men, singer of songs, helper of widows and orphans."

Mr Cochran was one of four people who were killed by attacker Masood. Also killed were PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade and Leslie Rhodes.

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