EXPLAINED: Charlie Kirk suspect's link to disturbing 'furry' community

In a Daily Mail podcast, senior US news reporter Josh Boswell describes his investigation into Tyler Robinson's 'bizarre' internet activity, including his sexual interest in the 'furry' community.

Boswell was the first investigative reporter to identify Robinson's roommate, 'trans gamer' Lance Twiggs, 22. Text messages reveal the two were in communication on September 10, the day right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was killed. 

After identifying Twiggs using social media - who has not yet been charged with any crime in connection with the shooting - the investigative reporter was able to uncover various online accounts connected to Robinson.

To listen to the latest episode of The Assassination of Charlie Kirk, click the player below or here 

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Speaking to podcast host Germania Rodriguez, Boswell provided insight into Robinson's mindset and potential motives from his internet activity.

On September 16, Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering, with Utah prosecutors seeking the death penalty.

'Robinson was a Reddit kid', Boswell explained.

'A Reddit kid is someone who is chronically online. They have a lot of their friends online. It's someone who is steeped in internet culture.

'It's not just anyone who uses Reddit, it's someone who is part of very small subcultures. People on particular message boards, or boards within message boards.

'One of the things Robinson seems to have been part of is the furry community… furries are people who enjoy dressing up in fur suits.

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'They have these alternative personas they call 'fursonas'. Those personas are often an anthropomorphic character, part human, part animal.

'Some of the most disturbing stuff I found when looking through some of Robinson's online accounts was these furry appreciation sites. They had all this pornographic material – part human, part animals in various stages of undress doing sexualised things.

'He even had this gaming account where there was evidence he played a game that was kind of a furry homoerotic porn game.

'There seems to be very niche areas he was getting into online.'

A series of text and Discord messages released by prosecutors show Robinson expressing left-wing views and animosity toward Kirk.

Robinson's family, who turned him in to authorities, told investigators he had become more political in recent years and had expressed dislike for conservative viewpoints.

Analysing these messages alongside Robinson's alleged internet activity, Boswell speculated as to the motive for the killing.

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He said: 'What it seems to boil down to… was that he was dating this trans person, his roommate and was very angry at Charlie Kirk for espousing anti-trans views, what he called hate.

'That's what motivated him to commit this murder. That's the argument anyway, from prosecutors right now. That's what the evidence is tending towards.

'Now, because things are so difficult to discern online, there are so many layers of irony between what people like Tyler and his roommate post, it does become hard to decode.

'There is still room for argument here. But I think the picture that is emerging is that he was on the left. He was trying to protect the people he associated himself with, which was the trans community.'

The investigation continues as FBI agents examine Robinson's extensive digital footprint for evidence of co-conspirators or advance planning.

He is due back in court on September 29, where he is expected to enter a plea.

To hear why Boswell believes the evidence against Robinson is damning, search for The Assassination of Charlie Kirk now, wherever you get your podcasts.