Seth Rich, the former Democratic National Committee staffer who was murdered in Washington, D.C. nearly a year ago, was reportedly in contact with WikiLeaks shortly before his death.
At the time of his death on July 10, police stated the murder was a robbery gone wrong; however, Rich’s wallet, watch, and expensive jewelry were not taken.
The family’s private investigator, Rod Wheeler, told Fox 5 DC there is evidence on Rich’s laptop that confirms he was in communication with WikiLeaks just before his death.
Wheeler told Fox 5 DC, “The police department nor the FBI have been forthcoming. They haven't been cooperating at all. I believe that the answer to solving his death lies on that computer, which I believe, is either at the police department or either at the FBI. I have been told both.”
Asked whether there is evidence that connects Rich to WikiLeaks, Wheeler said, “Absolutely. Yeah. And that’s confirmed.”
“I have a source inside the police department that has looked at me straight in the eye, and said, ‘Rod, we were told to stand down on this case and I can’t share any information with you.’” Wheeler said.
Wheeler told Fox News, “My investigation up to this point shows there was some degree of email exchange between Seth Rich and WikiLeaks.”
“I do believe that the answers to who murdered Seth Rich sits on his computer on a shelf at the D.C. police or FBI headquarters,” he explained.
A federal investigator corroborated the claims made by Wheeler and alleges to have “seen and read” the emails between Rich and Gavin MacFadyen, a former WikiLeaks director who died of lung cancer.
The federal investigator alleges there were 44,053 emails and 17,761 attachments from DNC leaders forwarded from Rich to MacFadyen.
Fox News notes that just 12 days after Rich was murdered, WikiLeaks revealed emails from DNC officials discussing how to stop Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) from being the nominee.
After Rich’s death, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange announced a $20,000 reward for information on Rich’s murderer.
Wheeler told Fox News, “My investigation shows someone within the D.C. government, Democratic National Committee or Clinton team is blocking the murder investigation from going forward.”
“That is unfortunate,” he added. “Seth Rich’s murder is unsolved as a result of that.”
Despite the claims by Wheeler and the federal investigator, Rich’s family called the revelations “fake evidence” said that the investigator spoke to the media without their permission:
As we've seen through the past year of unsubstantiated claims, we see no facts, we have seen no evidence, we have been approached with no emails and only learned about this when contacted by the press. Even if tomorrow, an email was found, it is not a high enough bar of evidence to prove any interactions as emails can be altered and we've seen that those interested in pushing conspiracies will stop at nothing to do so. We are a family who is committed to facts, not fake evidence that surfaces every few months to fill the void and distract law enforcement and the general public from finding Seth's murderers. The services of the private investigator who spoke to press was offered to the Rich family and paid for by a third party, and contractually was barred from speaking to press or anyone outside of law enforcement or the family unless explicitly authorized by the family.
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