What Eric Frein Searched for on His Computer Before Manhunt

Internet searches show Frein had been planning for months, authorities say.

By
MEGHAN KENEALLY
October 31, 2014, 11:11 AM ET
2 min read

— -- Accused cop killer Eric Frein had planned out his efforts to avoid capture and did research online about how police would be able to track him, as affidavit released today reveals.

Investigators had Frein's computer searched after he shot two state troopers on Sept. 12 and they were able to find specific Internet searches that showed he was plotting for months.

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Among the terms police say he searched before he went missing:

  • "SWAT raid tactics"
  • "police raid training"
  • "Can police track cell phones"
  • "police manhunt guide"
  • "how to escape a manhunt"

    • He clearly thought about the long haul as well. He looked up information about "caching food" and "tips on placing caches." A cache is a small duffle-type bag that hunters and survivalists use to store food in hidden places, which is a tactic Frein is believed to have used.

    Though the affidavit states that there were other Internet searches, the earliest one listed in the document was a search that he made on Nov. 7, 2012 -- nearly two years before the shooting -- for "ballistics trajectory calculator."