A British man has been charged with encouraging the suicide of an American via a video call.
Dylan Phelan, of Churwell, near Leeds in West Yorkshire, is accused of encouraging a 21-year-old man, who lived in Louisiana, to take his own life over a video call on 30 October 2024, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Phelan, also 21, has been charged with intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging the suicide of another. He has also been charged with making an indecent image of a child and possession of extreme pornography, which the CPS say are unrelated to the man’s death.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS’s special crime division, said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with West Yorkshire police as they carried out their investigation into the circumstances of this death. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this time.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Phelan is due to appear in Leeds magistrates court on Wednesday 11 February.
