Facebook explains why it left Cleveland killer Steve Stephens’ sick murder video online for TWO HOURS

FACEBOOK has explained how graphic footage of Cleveland killer Steve Stephens' brutal murder of a granddad was allowed to stay online for more than two hours.

The social media site said the sick video of Stephens shooting 74-year-old Robert Godwin Sr in the face was only reported more than 1 hour and 45 minutes after it was posted.

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But Facebook admitted they "need to do better" and says it is reviewing its system to make sure people can report videos and other material "as easily and quickly as possible".

Stephens, 37, shot and killed himself today after a police chase in Erie, Pennsylvania, after two days on the run.

Cops launched a nationwide search after the sickening murder on Easter Sunday, which Stephens blamed on gambling debts and the breakdown of his relationship.

On Sunday, Stephens posted a video boasting about how he planned to kill someone, which was not reported to Facebook.

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He then uploaded footage of himself walking up to and shooting Mr Godwin in the street before driving away.

Stephens then began a Facebook live broadcast in which confessed to and tried to justify the killing.

But Facebook said this broadcast was only reported after it had ended, and the video of the actual murder wasn't reported until two hours later.

Justin Osofsky, Facebook's vice-president for global operations, said Stephens' account was disabled 23 minutes after the murder video was reported.

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He said: "It was a horrific crime - one that has no place on Facebook and goes against our policies and everything we stand for.

"As a result of this terrible series of events, we are reviewing our reporting flows to be sure people can report videos and other material that violates our standards as easily and quickly as possible.

"Keeping our global community safe is an important part of our mission."

Founder Mark Zuckerberg also paid tribute to Mr Godwin at an event today.

He told Facebook's annual F8 developers conference: "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Robert Godwin Sr.

"We have a lot of work and we will keep doing all we can to prevent tragedies like this from happening."

Neighbours of mental health case worker Stephens described him as a "slimy" loser who used a pet snake to try to lure women.

Others said the twisted killer was £30,000 in debt and used to torture his own pets.

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