Nikki Catsouras “Porsche Girl” Died – Crash Photos Leaked by CHP

Posted on: December 8th, 2007 by: Meg50 comments

Nikki Catsouras was just 18 years old last Halloween when she took her father’s Porsche without permission and while driving 100 miles an hour clipped another car, lost control and slammed into a cement tollbooth. She was killed instantly. Her parent, Christos and Lesli Catsouras were devastated with grief and thought things could not get worse but that is where they were wrong.

Nikki’s parents are suing California Highway Patrol for leaking accident scene photos that ended up all over the internet. The girls parents have been tormented by anonymous e-mail’s that contain pictures of their daughter at the accident scene. One horrific photo shows the dead teen decapitated and still strapped in the front seat of her father’s Porsche.

The pictures made their way to over 1,600 online websites. The family no longer uses the internet and has pulled their 16 year old daughter from school because they fear other students might confront her with the pictures. She is now being home schooled.

A judge in California ruled that the lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol could go forward. The CHP, in a letter to the Catsouras family, admitted that their dispatchers violated department policy but stated that they are not legally responsible for the pain and anguish that it caused the family. That won’t be for the CHP to determine – but will be up to the courts to decide.

May 2, 2009 UPDATE: The case has gotten renewed interest while the family awaits a legal ruling from the 4th District Court of Appeals that is due by June 1, 2009. Their original case was dismissed in Orange County Superior Court. The judge ruled that Nikki’s right to privacy did not extend to her grieving family. The court can uphold the findings or can send it back to trial. The charges stem from the CHP leaked photos of the dead girl’s body that were distributed widely on the internet.

We’ve included additional photos below.

BE FOREWARNED: More ‘horrendously graphic‘ Nikki crash photos available here.

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Filed under: Across the Nation

50 Responses to “Nikki Catsouras “Porsche Girl” Died – Crash Photos Leaked by CHP”

Sandy, on March 6th, 2008 at 5:18 pm Said:

I just wanted everyone to know that one of the attorneys involved in this case, R. Rex Parris is running for Mayor of Lancaster California. This man has ridiculed the family, called them “silly” and “emotional” in the press, and has ardently defended the right of people to post these disgusting photo’s all over the internet.
You can get more information at http://www.intheav.com or http://www.avpress.com
judd, on May 7th, 2008 at 7:50 am Said:

sick freaks take the photos off rip your head off and put it on the net
judd, on May 7th, 2008 at 7:52 am Said:

i mean to the people that put them on there and let that family get some closure gosh man it is sick honestly do you not have anything better to do then put that on the net get a LIFE!!!!!!!!!
Heidi, on June 5th, 2008 at 2:04 pm Said:

to her mom and dad,my prayers have been constant for healing. remember she felt nothing and now waits to see ya again.
I am so sorry.
Taylor Plummer, on July 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 am Said:

Hey ,I feel so bad for you guys the people that did that had to have ben sick people!well I hope you guys get through and theres no more harrasment!
J K, on July 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 am Said:

I don’t think it’s so bad that people are exploting this. It is an unusually scandellous case. Or it wouldn’t be known and you wouldn’t be on this site discussing it!!! Hypocrites!
It is part of life and she wasn’t really an angel, Was she?
Obviously her dad was going through a mid life crisis to have a porsche in the garage in the first place, And she was spoiled to take the car for a joy ride!
Don’t act like you’re above it all. If you weren’t so curious, you wouldnt be on this site – you dumbass, mediocre ( lopk in the dictionary), bush voting, religious Americans.
Harvey, on July 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm Said:

what i cant understand is how emotional you guys are just becasue a judge was upholding the law, the judge is protecting the photographers first amendment right to take the pictures and also upholding the copy write of the photographer to do what he wants with the pictures, yes what happened was bad, but still you have to understand that laws are to protect people, and that statement goes both ways.

and one more thing you no one is forcing you to look at those pictures.
karen dempsey, on July 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm Said:

im soo sorry that had to happen to u my prayers r with u
Stacy J, on July 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm Said:

I completely understand the family not wanting these photos published online…HOWEVER… if there is a way to use these photos to show teenagers EXACTLY what happens to the human body in a car crash, then maybe some good can come of this tragic event! I am a crime scene investigator and am completely APPALLED at the fact the a CHP employee… traffic homicide investigator most likely… released these photos. i know the routine…they thought they were incredible photos… and they are…and send them to friends and those friends forwarded them and posted them online! I’ve been in this line of work for 7 years and am still dumbfounded by traffic fatalities and the physics behind them.
I hope the family can recover from their loss and see that these photos in the proper setting will do some good!
john, on July 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm Said:

wat u suck puting pics of her on here u should be ashamed of yourself for doing this. wat happend if u were dead and i put a pic of your dead body or pics of u and pics of your jacked up car and u still in it. huu would u like that ya i bet u won’t.
john, on July 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm Said:

very sad that would suck being nikki felling the impact then the metal going through you the instantly dieing. and being her parents would suck cause having to stand seeing your own daughter cut up and dead but still in the car not covered up or taken out of the car. i feel sorry for the whole family. i give my heart out to the family and any other relitives and friends.
Kim Seay, on July 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm Said:

I would just like the family to know how truly sorry many of us are for their loss. May GOD always be with you and help you in your healing process. Your daughter was a beautiful girl and she does not in any way deserve the disrespect or disgrace many people are giving her. GOD BLESS your family and may your hearts remember the good times!!
Maggie, on July 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 pm Said:

To the family of this beautiful young lady, My thoughts and prayers be with you through this difficult time. and to those who posted these pictures of this tragic accident you all should be ashamed of you’r selfs, what if that was someone in you’r family ask you’r self how would you have felt to see you’r family member like this.
Tammy, on July 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 am Said:

If only teenagers would see this, then maybe they wouldn’t drive like this. That’s why I wish they would change the driving age, then these kids would get more driving experience. I think it was horrible what happen to this poor girl. My prayers are going out to this family.
eddie, on July 3rd, 2008 at 10:06 am Said:

I feel torn between two things I feel the same as tammy I think if teens see the pictures they will think twice of drivng dangerously, but also in the familys point its a shame that they are being put through all that, for someone to send them the pictures and harras them is a shame, my brother died at 18 also in a car crash on christmas so I feel their pain, my prayers go to the family
Anselmo jr, on July 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm Said:

Im so sorry 4 da family,I hope they arrest the cocaine dealer and send him away 4 ever , justice will come in god’s wrath, peace to the family
Io, on July 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm Said:

I’m a Mom of young adults who sometimes drive too fast, and sometimes I forget and drive too fast myself.

The pictures are even sadder than they are gross. The little foot and arm are unbearably poignant, more emotionally upsetting than the poor ruined face. It’s a picture of a small, delicate, beautiful creature destroyed by its own impetuousness and lack of judgment — flaws *all* teenagers display at times.

As a parent who has also buried one child, I can see her parents’ point, and there is *NO* reason for people to send cruel taunts to her family. What happened to this lovely little girl could happen to anyone who isn’t being careful. It could happen to someone in *your* family.

But at the same time, I think the pictures are useful for accident prevention.

God knows, *I’m* never speeding again.

I *want* my kids to see this. One picture, plus imagining the grief of her family, is worth 1,000,000 words.

But oh, what pain for her family. Dear Lord.
john, on July 4th, 2008 at 5:20 pm Said:

sad feeling in my stomach
jess, on July 5th, 2008 at 1:23 am Said:

to lose a child is the worst feeling a parent has to go through but to do it in the eyes of the public is even more difficult to all you sick people let these people grieve………………..
Daysha McNeil, on July 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm Said:

I am so sorry about what happened to your daughter.

Just believe in God and everything will be okay!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!
Angel, on August 4th, 2008 at 3:04 pm Said:

First of all you people are sick! This young girl has a family people that love her and have to deal with her lose everyday! They don’t need reminders from sick of you people dont you think their lifes have been affected enought? for her little sister to not even be able to go to public schooling? what pleasure are you getting out of this?! You should be ashamed of your selves My heart goes out to the family and for all you disturbed people you’re time will come when you pay for the pain you caused on her family.
Sorry, on August 5th, 2008 at 8:13 am Said:

I think that this is awful and I would like to say sorry that this had to happen to such a young girl, For all of you calling her spoiled I guest you were never young talk all you want about your rights to post pix but unless you knew her, talked with her and saw who she really was then you dont have the right to talk about the dead like that nor the right to send the pix to the family have your rights and post them they might do some kids so good but have some kind of humanity and stop harrassen they family
peoplemagazine lover, on October 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am Said:

Maybe a bit delayed for my comment, but pitty for the girl anyway; it is a sad period for the family.
R. Johnson, on October 30th, 2008 at 5:46 pm Said:

The crimes Nicole committed (speeding, reckless driving, drug use, hitting another vehicle, etc.) were done on public roads and I don’t thing there is any problem posting accident pictures on the internet. It’s not the same as if someone snuck into her home and took pictures without her knowledge. The pics are there for those who want to click, and don’t need to be seen by those who don’t click.

Third parties have a right to post pictures, and the victim Nicole hit while speeding has a right to sue the family, etc. etc.

That being said, to those individuals that tormented the family by sending emails with those graphic pictures, that is another thing. That is certainly harassment. Humans are curious about accidents, death, etc. but emailing pictures to Nicole’s loved ones was done to inflict emotional harm.

Those folks need to be sued, not the CHP.
Blah, on February 10th, 2009 at 9:16 pm Said:

I don’t understand why people freak out so much when photos are posted. Things like this happen everday.. IT’S HER FAULT!!! Nobody forced her to do what she did.. Maybe seeing the photos will prevent others from doing the same. Grow up Idiots!
Kate, on April 11th, 2009 at 9:08 am Said:

those pictures are horrific. I cant beleive her parents have seen them. I hadnt heard of this story until stumbling across this website and its shocked me to my very core.
I feel physically sick that someone would want that girls mourning parents to see her lying dead decapitated

horrific story….
Kate, on April 11th, 2009 at 9:10 am Said:

i do agree with other posts saying that she was an idiot and it should teach other kids not to be irresponsible. That is undoubtedly the lesson here

but showing her parents the pics??? wtf?!?!
Rhi, on April 18th, 2009 at 11:24 am Said:

I am sorry that someone had to show her parents the photos but the photos SHOULD be used as a deterrant to teens out there to be careful and not stupid or careless. The reports of how she was FROM HER OWN MOTHER’S MOUTH indicates she was a spoiled, careless, little brat…but to have this happen is horrible but still her parents should have held a tighter leash on her…bottom line and to sue the police? What is it with people wanting to run after everyone and sue them left, right, and sideways? What are they trying to pay for the loss of their porsche, her funeral, and buy another porsche to replace that one??? Truly people it’s not about the lawsuit it’s about your child’s memory, the loss, and helping to prevent this from happening to other teens or individuals…and to run off because you didn’t want to get busted using Coke again…grow the heck up…
Zeke, on April 30th, 2009 at 2:00 pm Said:

No one seems to be concerned here that this little monster clipped a compact Honda Civic while hurtling down the highway at 100 mph, right before killing herself. Had the person(s) in the Honda died, as thousands do every year at the hands of stupid morons like Nikki, the lives of all those who know them would be affected irreversibly.
Those of you who identify with Nikki or her irresponsible parents are in need of serious self-reflection. She could have killed you or someone you love. These pictures are indeed a graphic slap in the face to all of you who are in denial of Nikki’s teen tantrum gone very wrong.
Tone, on May 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 am Said:

Tragic, but it appears that the parents are just using it as an excuse to make money off their daughter’s death.

It is obvious that they don’t need the money, it would be completely understandable if they just outright sued without specifying damages..but to want 20 million is as about as disgusting as the pictures.

Hope they win the case but don’t get jack $h!t for dough.
christine, on May 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 am Said:

The death of a child is never a laughing matter. Seeing our children pay so dearly for their mistakes is equally devastating. The photos as horrible as they are can be used as an educational tool for all drivers, especially teenagers drivers. I don’t think anyone is more responsible than the driver. Police can’t be blamed for everything. Unfornately, once this kind of situation hits the press it is no longer a private matter. The more reasonable thing to do is put the blame where it belongs, and that’s on the child who made mistakes which resulted in her death. There’s a lesson to be learned for all of us here.
B_HAPPY, on May 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 am Said:

ppl that put up does pics make me sick the poor girl is dead let her rest in peace!!!
is been almost 3 years and come on the family of this poor girl is so hurt cuzz of some ppl doing this to them STILL, showing this pics is not cool at all and eather funny…
so who ever read this!!!! IF you did put up or show does pics (YOU BETTER STOP AND ERAZE THEM CUZZ IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS AND HAVE SOME RESPECT GROW TFKUP)
remember “KARMA” is a B****

and I just want to say that im very sorry that NIKKI’S family have been going tru so much!

I hope this bad dream for THEM goes away and AT least IF THIS PPL STOP for them to just have only good memory of NIKKI 4 ever..

and for nikki to rest in peace…

BY
B_HAPPY
B_HAPPY, on May 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 am Said:

another thing i want to say cuzz i was ready 2 comments…
first of all do you have a kids
i bet u dont
cuz you having kids like me i have 2 kids i treat my kids like a prince and princes and i give them everything i spoiled them. so for that to happen to nikki it hurts me cuzz she was a very young girl and no metter what she did! she didn’t deserve that
but i know this life things can happen and is scary
and NO! this photo shouldn’t be shown to no kids no young adult they know better so come on grow up!
like i said you aint no body to judge anybody but god!
so have a nice day!
Mike, on May 6th, 2009 at 7:45 am Said:

To all of you who defend the posting of these pictures (after having seen them) or critisize her family for everything before, during, and after the crash; I want you to put a mental image of that picture showing the gruesome pictures of Nikki. Do you have that mental image? Now, imagine it was your daughter or your sister or someone very close to you whom you loved very much and without a word try to imagine what her family went through. Especially her father who has to endure his last memory with her ending in an arguement. Nobody, and I mean nobody should ever have to bury their children and much less see the death of their child being exploited. My heart goes out to her family and friends. By the way, did anyone know that she had “emotional issues” due to a past illness? She was I think eight years old when diagnosed with a brain tumor requiring radiation treatment which resulted in permanent damage to the behavioral aspects of her brain. There’s a lot more to this story then what you’ve heard. I would highly recommend doing your homework before bad mouthing her and her family.
Dude, on May 6th, 2009 at 9:38 pm Said:

If you were living with a person that had reduced impulse control and impaired judgement from a brain tumor earlier in life, who you leave the keys to a Porsche laying around?

The only people exploiting her death are her parents, unless there was some kind of money that was passed under the table.

While it is wrong to make fun of Porsche girl, who was coked out, I don’t think people should feel completely sad. You reap what you sow. You get geeked and go 100 mph plus without that much driving experience at those speeds I have no pity for you.
Sarah Mack, on May 7th, 2009 at 7:29 am Said:

As a parent, I sympathize and wish the family days of healing as it will take day by day, step by step. This was an accident, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. If I were the family, I wouldn’t be on the internet trying to get pictures removed, I wouldn’t be removing my child from their school because I was afraid of what the public might do. In fact, i would be using the accident as a way to educate others on what happens when you take a porsche out and drive at high rates of speed without experience.
Tabatha, on May 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pm Said:

Just a thought – what if the family had their attorney trademark the horrid crash photos and then they could go after the sick people for copyright infringement who are currently publishing them and refusing to remove them under “Freedom of Speech”?
eltread, on May 7th, 2009 at 11:24 pm Said:

For judgement is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement. (James 2:13) To him who has ears, let him hear.
ALLAN, on May 31st, 2009 at 6:27 pm Said:

That poor family. nicky lookd like a very pretty girl and i’m sure she was a nice girl as well. this is just a sad story. may god have mercy on her soul and i really hope her family finds the power to go on with there lives without having to be harrast by the internet.
It doesnt matter what she looked like after the accident it matters what she looked like before and she was a very pretty girl. she should be remembered for that. and nothing else. when your dead your gone from here those pictures do not make you more dead!!!
makayla, on May 31st, 2009 at 7:52 pm Said:

i fell so sorry for the family who could do that put pic online to see that she looked llike a nice person was she?
makayla, on May 31st, 2009 at 7:53 pm Said:

i feel like crying ! i was so sad so ! it is more wrea for family a nd frineds
J, on June 3rd, 2009 at 4:58 pm Said:

This is a horrible thing that happend to a beautiful young girl, terrible for any body and their family. When people know, they can prevent.

Personally this has had a big impact on my own driving, and i have shared the incident with others. Sometimes our minds aren’t able to comprehend the seriousness of speeding and the importance of responsible driving the jolting images are real.

Seeing how graphic a crash like this is on the human body had been a wake up call to me . I ‘m thankful that the photo’s were leaked cause Nikki has moved on but left a valuable lesson that has changed my life. I hope more than just I have seen and shared.

I lament with her family. I’m sorry your beautiful Nikki
Misae, on June 28th, 2009 at 10:28 pm Said:

It’s her own damn fault. It’s sad, and I feel extremely sad for her family having to endure all of this, but, as some others have said, she was the one who was having a fit and decided to act very stupid. It’s very sad that she died- I don’t think anyone should have to die like that, and of course *I* would be so very sad if this happened to someone in my family. But, it doesn’t excuse her actions, or that she could have killed someone else. People do stupid things all the time- too bad for Nikki that this time it got her killed. Also, no one would care as much if she had been unattractive, which is the sad thing.
DOROTHY, on July 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm Said:

THIS IS VERY SAD AND I HAVE LOOKED AT THE PICTURES , WHICH ARE HORRIFIC, BUT IT CAN HOPEFULLY BE A WAKE-UP CALL FOR ALOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FOREVER. NO ONE IS, WHAT I FIND ANNOYING IS HOW PEOPLE SPELL WHEN THEY WRITE A COMMENT. GO BACK TO SCHOOL PEOPLE.
ashley, on August 19th, 2009 at 9:12 pm Said:

i heard of this story and wanted to read about it but the first twenty sites all had the photos. i guess when people say its a wake up call, it is, however i dont think people should see them! for the family! just think if it was someone in your family how would you feel people tellin you they saw your sister, cousin, daughter, best friend decapitated on the internet. ugh just shows how society is. i hope the poor girls family gets some closure over this whole thing.
me, on September 1st, 2009 at 7:08 pm Said:

what a terble lose…… tenagers dont go over 60 or u will en up looking like this
Justin Martinez, on September 7th, 2009 at 4:51 pm Said:

I Thought people with money are suppose to have nice hair, her hair looks a hot mess!
Amy, on October 4th, 2009 at 11:41 am Said:

Just a tip, if you’re going to leave a comment criticizing people, you might want to run your comments through a spell check. When you type something like “eraze them cuss” any valid points you made are now mute.

Any way. This pictures are graphic and horrible. It is totally unnecessary to send these photos out as an email forward, and quite disgusting to sent them the parents and sister of the victim.

I would be against these photos being online, if she had been driving a normal speed, and gotten cut off, or there was something wrong with the car, weather conditions etc etc. But this wasn’t a freak accident. This was a girl who went for a joy ride while under the influence and sped along endangering other people’s lives.

I am not saying she deserved to die. Of course not. But I think pictures like this can help deter other teens from driving under the influence. I know from experience, the threat of jail or losing your license doesn’t work. You have to go for shock value.
Julia, on October 5th, 2009 at 12:15 pm Said:

Interesting! What if she was an ‘ugly’ girl with warts all over her face, obese, & never smiled? It’s a tragedy when people make stupid mistakes that cost them so much no matter how they look, especially when it costs them their life. Is it possible to raise children in a way that they don’t make such foolish choices. She was so young & didn’t have a chance to come into herself & live her life. It would’ve been nice if they would’ve known her enough to know that she’s the type that would snatch the keys & drive 100mph because not every teen would. Some would be too afraid to. If they would’ve known that about her, maybe they would’ve hidden the keys from her. But why would they want to splatter this all over the public? Is it for money? I don’t know. I’m not in their shoes.
Julia, on October 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm Said:

It’s not just teens. Adults speed a lot & talk on the cell phone while they’re driving. The teens are copying the adults. There is a gross lack of respect for life in our culture. If there wasn’t adults would drive safely & teach their children to also. It’s sad that