CORRECTION: Phoenix PD Investigation Finds That Grindr iPhone App Not Involved in Yesterday's Murder

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Grindr.com

Yesterday, we posted a story about a man who was murdered by a man he met on what we were told by the Phoenix Police Department was an iPhone application called Grindr.

Grindr is a social-networking site that links gay men with other gay men in their area using GPS on their iPhones -- not that there's anything wrong with that.

Here's a brief explanation of how it works from the site:Unlike other dating or social network sites, Grindr is meant to be mobile. And it uses GPS technology to instantly zone in on guys in your area. New in town? Tap into Grindr to check out who's on the scene. On a trip? Use Grindr to find a local who'd like to show you around. Hanging at home? Make Grindr your go-to place and see who's looking to meet up. No matter where you find yourself, Grindr is the go-to app for socializing in seconds with the guys around you.

Last night we spoke to Grindr spokesman Joel Simkhai, who -- concerned with his company's image -- insisted that Grindr was not the social-networking forum that introduced the victim to his alleged killer and that the Phoenix PD had made a mistake.

The PPD later issued a statement confirming Simkhai's statements.

Here's the Phoenix PD release:

Hello all. Our detectives have learned through this continuing investigation that it was not the "Grinder" IPHONE application that was used by the victim to make contact with the suspect, it was in fact a different social network. Because this investigation is continuing, I do not have the information regarding the actual site that was used. I would ask that, as you continue to report this grizzly crime to your viewers readers and listeners, you use "unknown social network" in regards to how the victim and suspect were connected.
 
Phoenix PD spokesman James Holmes tells New Times that the confusion was the result of statements made by witnesses saying the two men met through the Grindr application. Holmes says, after further investigation, it was determined that the men met through a different, unidentified social-networking site.  

So there you have it, folks. We apologize for the miscommunication.


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