Following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing , Reddit faced criticism after users wrongly identified a number of people as suspects . Notable among misidentified bombing suspects was Sunil Tripathi , a student reported missing before the bombings took place . A body reported to be Sunil 's was found in Providence River in Rhode Island on April 25 , 2013 , according to Rhode Island Health Department . The cause of death was not immediately known , but authorities said they did not suspect foul play . The family later confirmed Tripathi 's death was a result of suicide . Reddit general manager Martin later issued an apology for this behavior , criticizing the " online witch hunts and dangerous speculation " that took place on the website . The incident was later referenced in the season 5 episode of the CBS TV series '' The Good Wife '' titled " Whack-a-Mole " , as well as '' The Newsroom ''
Boston Marathon bombing
Boston Marathon bombing
Reddit