Topix community forums taken down

A source of entertainment and controversy in communities across the country has closed.

The Topix online forums, which featured posts from individuals in various communities, have ceased operations.

“As Topix grew, news and discussion became less of what we are all about,” Topix officials announced in a post to each community’s forum, including Corbin, Williamsburg, Whitley County and Knox County. “Today we have decided to break away from what we were and fully embrace the “Pretty Good” entertainment company you have all come to love.”

The page then redirects the user to patch.com, which features news, events, weather and local topics for the area.

The Corbin Topix page became most notable in 2013, when a post appeared from an individual using the pseudonym “Series as a Heart Attack” posted that they would pay someone $5,000 cash for the murder of local radio personality Melissa Jones, and the concealment of her body.

As part of the investigation, Kentucky State Police traced the IP address where the message had originated to Corbin resident Tristan Hall.

Hall was later arrested and spent 570 days in the Whitley County Detention Center, or on home incarceration while awaiting trial on charges that were later dismissed.

The legal ordeal, which lasted four years, led Hall to file a federal lawsuit against prosecutors and law enforcement involved in the case.

“We want to thank all of our forum readers and contributors,” Topix officials stated. “You helped shape our company and push us in directions we never thought possible. We hope that you continue to enjoy our content no matter what form it might take.”