- 19-year-old committed suicide on live webcam
- People allegedly encouraged him online
- Video still streaming when police found him
A TEENAGER has apparently committed suicide in front of a live webcam after being encouraged by people online.
19-year-old Florida resident Abraham K. Biggs, who went by the screen names "CandyJunkie" and “Mr Biggs”, told users on a bodybuilding forum he would be committing suicide that night and invited them to watch the live video.
The forum moderators allegedly ignored the post – assuming it was a prank – while other users posted insults and even egged him on.
If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, or know someone at risk, help is available from www.sane.org
The teen used the "lifecasting" website Justin.tv – designed to let users share the minutiae of their everyday lives – to stream footage from his bedroom.
Biggs was seen taking several pills before lying on the bed with his back to the camera.
He didn't move, and users claim they realised it was serious a few hours later when they saw he wasn't breathing. Moderators then traced Biggs's location and informed authorities.
The webcam was still streaming live footage of the teen's body as police entered the room. A laser-guided weapon was pointed at the body and an object was thrown at the bed.
Authorities then appeared on the video as they approached the teen's body, checked for a pulse, and covered up the webcam.
Biggs’s death was reportedly confirmed by the Broward County medical examiner.
Justin.tv chief executive officer Michael Seibel told online video news website NewTeeVee.com the service relied on users to report inappropriate content.
"As for the broadcaster incident last night, we don’t comment on individual videos, however, our policy prohibits inappropriate content on Justin.tv," he said.
"We rely on the community to flag videos that they feel are objectionable. Once a video is flagged, it is reviewed and quickly removed from the system if it violates our Terms of Use."
Some forum users allegedly began deleting their posts after the incident and an official thread – including Biggs' full name – was posted by moderators.
Biggs's friends have posted "RIP" messages on his MySpace page, with some still asking him to pick up his phone, and others changing their statuses to "devastated".
The teen described himself as a "good hearted guy" on his social networking profile.
"I care a lot about my friends and my family and I would do almost anything for them," he said.
"I am very goal oriented, I know what I want to do with my life and I am working towards it."
Biggs last posted on MySpace three days before he committed suicide in a wall post about taking sleeping pills. A week ago he left a message about closing a chapter in his life and apologised to his friends for his behaviour.
The circumstances of the teen's suicide are similar to another incident last year, when a man hung himself in front of a live webcam as internet users egged him on.
If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or seek immediate help from a GP or a counsellor. Help and advice is also available on 1800 18SANE (7263) and from www.sane.org
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