Leeds man jailed for encouraging 21-year-old American to take his own life over video call

A 21-year-old Leeds man has been jailed after he admitted goading a vulnerable man in the US into shooting himself over a video call.

Dylan Phelan, of Churwell in Morley, was sentenced today for encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer in Louisiana on October 30, 2024.

In March last year, Phelan attended Elland Road Police Station with his parents and told officers he had taken part in a video call, alongside two other people based in the United States, during which 21-year-old Mr Dyer was encouraged to kill himself with a shotgun.

Phelan had been communicating with Mr Dyer, who was known to be vulnerable and struggling with his mental health, for several months through the online platform Discord.

His phone and computer were seized following his arrest, and he was later further questioned and charged after extreme pornography and an indecent image of a child were found on his devices.

Phelan previously pleaded guilty to intentionally doing an act which was capable of encouraging the suicide of another person, three counts of possession of an extreme pornographic image and one count of making an indecent image of a child.

Sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today, he was jailed for six years and four months. He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Mr Dyer’s family provided a Victim Personal Statement to the court. In reference to Phelan, they said: “We recognize 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.”

They added: “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.”

The court heard that Phelan and two others, identified only as ‘Mads’ and ‘Rob’, had turned a group on messaging platform Discord called ‘Recovery for All’ into a “hunting ground” to encourage others to self-harm.

A police probe found Mr Dyer suffered sustained and serious pressure to self-harm by members of the online group in the months leading up to his death.

Judge Barry Cotter KC urged anyone with information about the identity of the other two people on the call, identified as Mads and Rob, to come forward to US law enforcement.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Dan Ridgway, of Leeds CID, said: “After Phelan handed himself in at a police station, what followed was a complex investigation which required enquiries to be conducted both here in the UK and with Homeland Security in America to understand the wider circumstances around Travis Dyer’s tragic death and Phelan’s involvement.

“We were able to secure digital evidence of the video call as well as wider evidence of Phelan’s communications with Travis and others prior to Travis’ death. Specialists from our Digital Forensics Unit also found a number of extremely concerning illegal videos on his seized devices.

“This case highlights the dangers that certain individuals can pose on an international level in these online communities. Whether in person or online, if someone is making you feel unsafe or encouraging you to harm yourself or others then please report it.

“We must remember at the heart of this investigation is a 21-year-old man who sadly took his own life. I would urge anyone who is struggling with their own mental health to please seek professional support.”