Overview
- Dylan Phelan, 21, of Morley, West Yorkshire, admitted at Leeds Crown Court to encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer under Section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961.
- Prosecutors said Dyer, 21, from Theriot, Louisiana, died by suicide with a shotgun during an October 30, 2024 video call after months of sustained online encouragement to self-harm.
- Phelan reported his involvement at Elland Road Police Station on March 27, 2025, told officers he was drawn to darker Discord groups, and accepted his words were a factor.
- Judge Robin Mairs set sentencing for May 22, warned Phelan to prepare for custody, granted bail, and imposed a ban on possessing internet‑capable devices, with Dyer’s family expected to attend by video link.
- The CPS said the case followed a West Yorkshire Police investigation; Phelan separately pleaded guilty on February 11 to making an indecent image of a child and possessing extreme pornography, offenses not linked to the U.S. suicide.