EDWARDSVILLE – A defamation lawsuit was filed against a woman who allegedly falsely accused a family of being responsible for the disappearance of a missing individual.
Plaintiffs Russell Talbott, Bonnie Talbott, William Talbott and Ashlynn Talbott filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Diane Hubatchek, citing libel and negligence.
According to the lawsuit, on Aug. 8, 2022, Hubatchek made a Facebook post falsely accusing the plaintiffs of being responsible or having information regarding the disappearance of a missing individual. The post was reportedly transported to 18,000 people online who are members of the Facebook group "Out and About in Troy, Illinois."
The plaintiffs claim Hubatchek published the information with the clear intent to malign and cause emotional distress.
The Talbotts are claiming damages for extreme emotional distress and injury to their reputations in an amount exceeding $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by attorney Angie M. Zinzilieta of Wendler & Zinzilieta, P.C. in Maryville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000179