Acid Hoaxer Sure Tried To Push A Lot Of Buttons During Her Fake-Out

can cause chemical burns, race-based controversies

Bethany Storro, the self-proclaimed “nice girl” from Vancouver, Wash., who claimed that she was accosted by a woman who called her “pretty girl” and offered her a drink — then threw a cup full of acid in her face, resulting in fairly severe chemical burns on her face and neck — has admitted that she made up the whole thing. “In many ways this is something that just got bigger than what she expected,” a flack for the local police said. It sure did! And it sure makes certain details from the story originally recounting the attack stand out even more:

Neuwelt said it was unusual that Storro was wearing the sunglasses that protected her eyes.

“She on a whim decided to buy a pair,” only about 20 minutes before the attack, Neuwelt said. “The weird thing is, she doesn’t like to wear sunglasses.”

The police actually credited the “weird” aspect of this particular detail with helping them crack the case. Of course, now it makes sense: How else was she going to know which buttons on her phone to press in order to dial 911 immediately after dousing herself?

The assailant was described as a black woman between 25 and 35, who wore a green shirt and khaki shorts. She had medium-length black hair that was pulled back, said Stefan, who is hoping for more information from the public.

Sigh. Etc.

Neuwelt said her daughter had never seen the assailant before, and it would be only speculation to try to explain a chemical attack she called “senseless.”

“It happens in the Middle East all the time,” the mother said.

All the time. Somehow there are only about 550 results for this young woman’s name and “Park51.” I’m kind of surprised! Maybe it’s because she’s Canadian. (Actually, she’s from Vancouver, Washington. So restore my surprise!)

Anyway, it’s a good thing that the rumored Oprah interview didn’t quite work out. Could you imagine the public shaming that would have resulted in?