department mainly due to evidence from emails. A majority of the media coverage of Lopatka's killing mainly emphasized the potentially dangerous consequences of Internet meetings. Several people requested that a type of censorship be created to better protect humans from killings like that of Lopatka's, while anti-censorship activists counter-argued that people could better express controversial beliefs in an open forum without the need of a real identity. Writers have labeled the situation as one of the earliest examples of what psychologists called Mardi Gras phenomenon, where one uses a variety of personalities to decrease their chances of having a consequence for their actions. Thanks to the popularity of the case, more psychologists increased their desire to have a better understanding of atypical sexual desires caused by sadism, masochism and asphyxia. Cultural references The case inspired a 2008 movie, Downloading Nancy, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival and had a wider release during 2009. Interviews with screenwriter Lee Ross indicate he was aware of the Lopatka case and found it "dark, horrible ... and intriguing". See also Autassassinophilia Crime in Maryland Crime in North Carolina Internet suicide Internet homicide Armin Meiwes References Bibliography 1996 murders in the United States Deaths by person in Maryland Deaths by strangulation in the United States 1996 in Maryland Incidents of violence against women 1996 in North Carolina Necrophilia BDSM Bondage (BDSM) Cybercrime