INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: An in-depth investigative story based on good investigative reporting techniques; obtaining and using public information as a foundation for news stories; including Interviews of both ‘experts’, scientists, and ‘witnesses’ as well as possible suspects; all the while conducting yourself in an ethical and professional manner with an emphasis on producing stories that make a difference. Contributing Reporters: Dan Alvarez '23, Ryan Dierssen '23, Rocco Dominguez '23, Julie Lomurno '23, Lena Palushaj '23, Elise Stuetez '23, Dean Williams '23. Produced by Dan Alvarez and Lena Palushaj.
Breaking News: Investigative Report # 1
Anchored by Julie Lomurno '23, and Ryan Dierssen '23
A tragedy Struck the Westlake Community, Health teacher Ms. Carolyn Kaufman was found dead. Her body was found on the backstage in the JSW Theater. FBI Investigators are saying they believe she was murdered sometime between Friday May 13 and and Monday May 16, 2022.
Kaufman was a life long lover of music, a member of the High School Faculty kazoo band ‘The Mistletones” and veteran educator. She was a volleyball coach as well as a player for the team “Sets and the City”. As health was her lifelong passion she not only taught students healthy habits, but also live them. With her bionic knee she famously walked 5 miles a day and wound up 150 miles from her home. Services will be held at 10am on May 29. Principal Keith Schenker will officiate.
Kaufman was a life long lover of music, a member of the High School Faculty kazoo band ‘The Mistletones” and veteran educator. She was a volleyball coach as well as a player for the team “Sets and the City”. As health was her lifelong passion she not only taught students healthy habits, but also live them. With her bionic knee she famously walked 5 miles a day and wound up 150 miles from her home. Services will be held at 10am on May 29. Principal Keith Schenker will officiate.
Investigative Report #2
Reporters Elise Stuetz '23, Danny Alvarez '23
We continue to follow the investigation of the murder of Mrs Carolyn Kaufman, the beloved health teacher at Westlake High School. The Coroner released the autopsy and determined Kaufman’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head. Evidence indicates that she was hit with either a softball bat or possibly a wine bottle both located at the crime scene. Handwritten Sheet music, a footprint, Kaufman’s cell phone were all located at the gory crime scene. This week FBI Agents released information regarding known suspects. Art teachers Lauren Morris and Carolyn Frawley, Music Teachers Emily Denler, Carlo Capano, Guidance Counselor Nick DiPaolo, Science teacher Michele Spiesman, Social Studies teacher Tricia Oliveras, Math Teacher Sarah McFadden, Special Education teacher Deb Denoia and Athletic Trainer Hilary Picolli.
Investigative report #3
Reporters Dean Williams '23 and Rocco Dominguez '23
Unfortunately, there has been a murder. As every Westlake student is aware, last month the beloved health teacher Ms. Kaufman was brutally murdered in cold blood. While Law enforcement such as FBI Agent Bird are still searching for the killer, we here at the W are working to give you the most up-to-date information on the case. This week, we’ll interview some top suspects, take a look at some suspicious fingerprints, DNA, and blood evidence, and we’ll figure out who was trying to flee the scene.
Hillary Picolli has been at the forefront of this mischievous murder case. Ranked as a top three suspect, she has serious ties. As recently uncovered, Hillary was using a “covid testing” business as a front for her illegal sports gambling Charade.
Hillary Picolli has been at the forefront of this mischievous murder case. Ranked as a top three suspect, she has serious ties. As recently uncovered, Hillary was using a “covid testing” business as a front for her illegal sports gambling Charade.
Investigative Report # 4 and Press Conference
Reporter Lena Palushaj '23
Beloved health teacher Ms. Carolyn Kaufman was found by athletic trainer Hilary Piccoli dead backstage on the morning of May 16th at 6:30 am. FBI agents found the murder weapon - a bat from Art teacher Lauren Morris’s room found to have DNA from both Kaufman and Chorus teacher Emily Denler.
The agents on the case also uncovered an illegal sports betting operation run by Piccoli. While Piccoli was in charge of Covid testing she used it as a front to cover for her sports betting operation. She continues to deny being a part of this illegal activity. Kaufman frequented Piccoli’s temporary office in the music suite for covid pool testing.
With a shared interest in music Kaufman decided to rifle through Denler’s new music in hopes of popularizing herself on spotify. Kaufman finding a new composition on Denlers piano, stole the music and tweaked it so she could claim it as her own.
Both Kaufman and Denler were working with Morris on album artwork. Morris inadvertently played Kaufman’s music for Denler angering her enough to drive her to kill. Denler suggested a meeting to talk about music which in a turn of events led her to killing Kaufman backstage. She struck her over the back of the head multiple times which proved to be fatal. A press meeting was held on Wednesday June 8th with FBI agents Gabby Naz and Mackenzie Kaufmann
The agents on the case also uncovered an illegal sports betting operation run by Piccoli. While Piccoli was in charge of Covid testing she used it as a front to cover for her sports betting operation. She continues to deny being a part of this illegal activity. Kaufman frequented Piccoli’s temporary office in the music suite for covid pool testing.
With a shared interest in music Kaufman decided to rifle through Denler’s new music in hopes of popularizing herself on spotify. Kaufman finding a new composition on Denlers piano, stole the music and tweaked it so she could claim it as her own.
Both Kaufman and Denler were working with Morris on album artwork. Morris inadvertently played Kaufman’s music for Denler angering her enough to drive her to kill. Denler suggested a meeting to talk about music which in a turn of events led her to killing Kaufman backstage. She struck her over the back of the head multiple times which proved to be fatal. A press meeting was held on Wednesday June 8th with FBI agents Gabby Naz and Mackenzie Kaufmann
Investigative report #5
TJ Merli '24