The Viral Storm: Unpacking The Monica Keasler Photography Longview Controversy And Her Life In Focus

Monica Keasler Photography in Longview, Texas, has recently been thrust into the global spotlight, not for her artistic work, but due to a massive social media controversy that erupted in late 2024. The business, known for its services in East Texas, became the center of a viral storm following allegations related to the highly publicized case of "Peanut the Squirrel." This article, updated for December 2025, provides a deep dive into the business, its history, the full context of the viral incident, and Keasler's subsequent public statements. The intense public reaction saw the Longview photographer's pages and review sites "bombarded with negative reviews" and hate comments, showcasing the rapid and often unforgiving nature of internet-driven outrage. Understanding the full scope of Monica Keasler's professional life—which includes years of sensitive volunteer work—is essential to contextualize the events that led to her becoming one of the most talked-about figures on the internet for a period in November 2024.

Monica Keasler: Biography and Professional Profile

Monica A. Keasler is a professional photographer based in Longview, Texas. Her work is primarily centered in the East Texas region, where she has established a local presence under the name Monica Keasler Photography and, at times, the affiliated name Heart & Soul Photography.

• Full Name: Monica A. Keasler
• Age/Birth Year: 54 years old (Born April 1971)
• Primary Location: Longview, Texas
• Known Business Names: Monica Keasler Photography, Heart & Soul Photography
• Specializations (Pre-Controversy): Nature photography, candid shots, landscapes, sunrises, historical buildings, and places.
• Community/Volunteer Work: Keasler has been a long-term volunteer for the non-profit organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep for four years as of July 2024. This organization provides compassionate photography services for families experiencing infant bereavement.
• Residence: 2026 Eden Dr, Longview TX 75601.

Keasler's professional history suggests a focus on capturing sensitive and personal moments, highlighted by her long-standing volunteer commitment to infant bereavement photography. This work requires a high degree of empathy and professionalism, a stark contrast to the public image she acquired during the controversial incident.

The 'Peanut the Squirrel' Controversy: Accusation and Fallout

The core of the viral storm surrounding Monica Keasler Photography began in late October and early November 2024. The incident centered on Peanut the Squirrel, a beloved, unregistered pet squirrel in New York that was seized and subsequently euthanized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The seizure sparked immense public outrage on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

How Monica Keasler Became Involved

A user on social media allegedly identified a Texas woman named Monica Keasler as the individual who anonymously tipped off the DEC about Peanut. This accusation, which was shared widely and rapidly, led to an immediate and aggressive online backlash. Despite the initial reports being based on unverified claims and speculation, the sheer speed and scale of the viral spread meant that the accusation quickly became accepted as fact by a large segment of the online public. The fallout was swift and severe for the Longview, TX, photography business.

The Impact on Monica Keasler Photography

The business's online presence, including its alleged photography pages, was immediately targeted. The pages were "bombarded with negative reviews" and hate comments, a classic example of a "review bombing" campaign orchestrated by angry social media users. The intensity of the public reaction was extreme, with reports indicating that Keasler was subjected to doxxing and even death threats. The situation escalated to a point where Keasler was dubbed the "Most Hated Girl on the Internet" by some online communities, illustrating the severity of the false accusation and the resulting online harassment.

Keasler's Public Denial and The Full Story

In the wake of the intense online scrutiny, Monica Keasler publicly addressed the allegations, providing critical context that was largely missed in the initial wave of social media outrage.

The False Accusation

Keasler stated that she was falsely accused of making the report to the DEC. She explained that the online user who initially made the claim was incorrect, leading to a case of mistaken identity and mass harassment.

A History of Compassion for Wildlife

Crucially, Keasler revealed a personal history that directly contradicted the narrative of a person trying to harm a pet squirrel. She stated that she had previously been involved in squirrel rehabilitation, a practice similar to the one Peanut's owner was engaged in. She emphasized that she also "loved P'Nut like everyone else," expressing solidarity with the public's sadness over the squirrel's fate. This information, which emerged in her November 2024 statement, reframed the entire story, shifting the focus from an alleged tipster to a victim of a widespread false accusation and doxxing campaign.

The Long-Term Impact on a Local Business

The controversy surrounding Monica Keasler Photography serves as a powerful case study on the dangers of viral social media accusations and the difficulty of restoring a reputation once a false narrative has taken hold. While the online harassment peaked in late 2024, the long-term effects on her local Longview, TX, business remain a challenge. The influx of negative, non-customer-based reviews can severely damage a small business's search engine ranking and overall credibility. Keasler's professional history, particularly her four years of volunteer work with "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep," demonstrates a commitment to sensitive and compassionate photography, an entity that stands in direct opposition to the online persona created by the controversy. As of December 2025, Monica Keasler's professional website is still active, with a copyright updated for the current year, indicating a continued effort to move past the incident and focus on her professional journey. The story of Monica Keasler Photography is a cautionary tale, illustrating how quickly a local professional can become entangled in a global controversy, and the immense difficulty in correcting a viral falsehood once it has been unleashed on the internet. Her efforts to "Empower Your Journey," a tagline on her site, now take on a new, more profound meaning in the context of overcoming a major professional and personal crisis.