Family praise 'true English friend' who revealed the truth after US man encouraged to shoot himself

Family praise 'true English friend' who revealed the truth after US man encouraged to shoot himself DISTRESSING CONTENT: The family of an American who was encouraged to kill himself by a twisted online group, including a British man jailed for more than six years, praised one 'true friend' who helped expose the crime The family of an American man who was "groomed" into killing himself over a video call have praised another Brit who helped to revealed the truth. Dylan Phelan, 21, from Morley, West Yorkshire, was in an online group that repeatedly goaded Travis Dyer, also 21, to shoot himself in Louisiana, in October 2024. Phelan admitted encouraging suicide, making an indecent image and possessing extreme pornography, and has been jailed for six years and four months. The court heard how in the run up to killing himself, Dyer had carved Phelan's name into his body and on October 24, 2024, the American was on a video call with the defendant and two others, known as Mads and Rob. Phelan encouraged him several times to pull the trigger and laughed when he finally did, the court heard. Phelan kept a recording of the suicide on his computer, months later telling a female acquaintance about what happened. She was horrified and later told Phelan's mother, before his parents took him to Elland Road police station in Leeds, last March, and confessed to his involvement in Dyer's suicide. Travis Dyer's family provided a Victim Personal Statement to the court and praised this woman for her actions, saying: "We recognise that the defendant was part of a group. This 'group-think' turned a digital space into a hunting ground. In stark contrast, we want the Court to know that Travis did have a true online friend in England who shared games and laughter with him. "It was this true friend who did the research to find our family and tell us the truth. This proves that the digital world can be a place of light, making the defendant’s choice to use it for darkness even more egregious." Andrew Pettersen, prosecuting, said Phelan joined an online community on messaging app Discord, where people shared thoughts about their mental health, but this was not a support group. Police said they also found an indecent image as well as extreme pornography on Phelan's digital devices. Mr Justice Cotter, sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, said Phelan was motivated by "morbid curiosity" and that Mr Dyer, who was struggling with his mental health, needed help and support. The judge told him: "You wanted to feel like you had control over the actions of another. You showed no respect for the life of Travis Dyer." The court was told that Dyer had suffered a series of tragic losses in his family, including losing his mother and sister to drowning. His great-grandmother Vivian Mahoney, who followed proceedings from the US via a videolink, said in a victim statement: "Travis Dyer was a shy, smart and resilient young man who survived more tragedy than most endure in a century. He was deeply adored and had a bright future ahead of him. That future was stolen." Mr Justice Cotter said Dyer had been victim of a "campaign of cruelty during which (he) was groomed to take his own life", including being encouraged to spend all his money on drink and drugs. The judge said Mr Dyer hesitated before killing himself but the others persisted in encouraging him to go through with it. Dyer's family said that Phelan did not act alone and "this group-think turned a digital space into a hunting ground". The family also paid tribute to the late 21-year-old and said: "Travis Dyer was a shy, smart, and resilient boy who survived more tragedy in his young life than most do in a century. He had a job, a little family left, and a mountain waiting for him. That future was stolen. We hope our words ensure Travis is remembered as the deeply loved son, grandson, and nephew he was." In an unusual move, the judge urged anyone with information to contact the US authorities if they knew the others who were part of the joint enterprise. He said one of them in particular "was a very real danger to vulnerable people online, having boasted of being a sociopath and in being involved in a number of suicides". For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.