Home / Crime and Justice / Teen Murdered by Online Predator: A Mother's Warning
Teen Murdered by Online Predator: A Mother's Warning
13 Oct
Summary
- Breck Bednar was murdered by an online predator he met playing games.
- His mother now advocates for greater online safety for children.
- A new documentary highlights the dangers of online grooming.
Lorin LaFave vividly recalls her last moments with her son Breck Bednar before he was murdered in 2014. The 14-year-old was groomed online by Lewis Daynes, who lured him to his flat in Grays, Essex. Daynes was later sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime.
Now, ahead of a documentary titled 'From Minecraft to Murder,' LaFave is a strong advocate for online safety education. She supports the upcoming ban on social media for under-16s, believing it could have saved her son. LaFave stresses the importance of parental awareness and systemic changes to protect children from online predators.
Breck, who enjoyed gaming and aspired to be a pilot, showed concerning changes in behavior attributed to Daynes's manipulation. Despite Lorin's attempts to intervene and warnings to authorities, the grooming escalated, leading to the tragic event. Lorin now runs the Breck Foundation to educate young people about online risks.
