Home / Crime and Justice / Man Admits Encouraging US Man's Suicide on Video Call
Man Admits Encouraging US Man's Suicide on Video Call
11 Mar
Summary
- British man pleads guilty to encouraging US citizen's suicide.
- The act occurred during an online video call in October 2024.
- Man also faced charges for indecent child images and extreme pornography.
Dylan Phelan, a 21-year-old from Morley, UK, has pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer, a 21-year-old US citizen from Louisiana. The court heard that on October 30, 2024, Phelan, along with others, engaged in an act that encouraged Mr. Dyer's suicide. Phelan had been in online contact with Mr. Dyer, who was known to be struggling with his mental health.
During a police interview in March 2025, Phelan admitted to participating in a video call where Mr. Dyer was encouraged to end his life. Examination of his mobile phone also revealed indecent images of a child and extreme pornography. Phelan has been released on bail with a restriction on internet-accessing devices, awaiting sentencing on May 22, 2026.
Mr. Dyer had previously experienced significant personal tragedy, losing his mother and younger sister in a car crash in August 2014. His great-grandmother noted his "unfortunate" life marked by such tragedies. Senior prosecutor Alex Johnson emphasized that online spaces are not exempt from law, calling the encouragement of suicide a serious criminal offense.
