A New, and Sick, Variation on Munchausen Syndrome

Freshman who reported swastikas drew them as well

By: Robert Lee and Jake Sherman
Hatchet Staff Writers

Posted: 11/5/07

Breaking News Monday, Nov. 5, 4:45 p.m.

The University found the student who reported several swastikas on her Mitchell Hall door was the one who drew them.

Using footage from a hidden video camera, the University Police Department linked freshman Sarah Marshak with the vandalism. She will now appear before Student Judicial Services and could face federal and District charges, a spokesperson announced Monday afternoon.

In an interview with The Hatchet Monday afternoon, Marshak, who had been a reporter for this newspaper, categorically denied drawing the swastikas on her residence hall door.

Marshak saw six swastikas on her residence hall door, where she lived alone.

Another student was caught Saturday night in relation to the drawing of swastikas, the word "nigger" and the text "white power" in New Hall.

Tracy Schario, a University spokesperson, would not comment whether the camera was placed in Mitchell Hall by UPD or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who also was investigating the matter.

• Related articles:
• Freshman who reported swastikas drew them as well (Hatchet Web Update, Nov. 5, 4:45 p.m.)
• One suspect caught in spate of campus vandalism (The Hatchet, Nov. 5)
• Knapp: Incidents damage GW's image (The Hatchet, Nov. 5)
• New swastika found in New Hall (Hatchet Web Update, Nov. 2, 9:42 p.m.)
• Racial slur found on New Hall door (Hatchet Web Update, Nov. 2, 9:51 p.m.)
• FBI called in to assist with swastika investigation (Hatchet Web Update, Nov. 2, 5:10 a.m.)
• News Analysis: What is a hate crime? (The Hatchet, Nov. 1)
• An eighth swastika is found overnight in Mitchell Hall (The Hatchet, Nov. 1)
• University: Seventh swastika not yet hate crime (Hatchet Web Update, Oct. 29, 7:53 p.m.)
• More swastikas found on door (The Hatchet, Oct. 29)
• Swastika drawn on door (The Hatchet, Oct. 25)