FOX 5 DC says a source that made claims about a high-profile murder case on Monday is now retracting his statements.
The station’s original story featured Rod Wheeler, a private investigator hired by the family of Seth Rich, to look into the circumstances surrounding Rich’s murder last summer.
Wheeler told FOX 5 on Monday that he had sources at the FBI confirming there was evidence of communication between Seth Rich, who was a staffer with the Democratic National Committee, and WikiLeaks. Speculation that Rich’s murder was not a botched robbery, as law enforcement has claimed, caused backlash from media outlets and Rich’s family.
But last night on the 10 p.m. newscast, Wheeler retracted his original on-the-record statement saying over the phone that it was a “miscommunication.”
Local papers and the Rich family called out FOX 5 for airing the original interview, with some calling for a retraction.
“The family has relayed their deep disappointment with Rod Wheeler’s conduct over the last 48 hours, and is exploring legal avenues to the family,” a Rich family spokesperson said.