A British court sentenced a young man to more than six years behind bars Friday for pushing a vulnerable Louisiana resident to commit suicide during a live video conversation on the Discord messaging platform, according to prosecutors.
Dylan Phelan, 21, pleaded guilty to encouraging Travis Dyer to end his own life in October 2024 following months of communication through the Discord service, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service announced.
Dyer, a Louisiana resident, died while participating in a live video conversation with Phelan and two other individuals located in the United States, during which participants pressured him to hurt himself, including using a shotgun to take his own life.
“This was a deeply disturbing case involving the sustained exploitation of a vulnerable young man,” prosecutor Alex Johnson said.
“Dylan Phelan did not simply witness these events – he deliberately and persistently encouraged Travis Dyer to take his own life, intending that he would do so. His actions were calculated, cruel, and had devastating consequences.”
According to prosecutors, the encouragement represented ongoing conduct by participants in an internet group who had singled out Dyer while being aware of his mental health struggles. Phelan subsequently informed authorities he had become involved with troubling online communities and acknowledged his responsibility in the death.
At Leeds Crown Court, Phelan received a sentence of six years and four months in prison after also entering guilty pleas to charges involving inappropriate images of minors and possession of extreme pornographic material.
Johnson stated that individuals who promote self-harm through the internet would face consequences and that online anonymity would not protect perpetrators from legal action.
The sentencing occurs as Britain intensifies its response to internet-based dangers, especially those impacting minors and young adults, including increased pressure on tech corporations to better prevent harmful material and abusive conduct on their services.
Discord has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
