17-year-old autistic teen with depression dies by suicide after joining pro-suicide online community
Summary
The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth was lit up in memory of 17-year-old Vlad Nikolin-Caisley, who took his own life after being drawn into a pro-suicide community online. Vlad, who had autism, depression, and anxiety, secretly joined a website and purchased a poisonous chemical online, which he swallowed at home. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. His family chose to illuminate the tower in teal, the color of a mental health support organization established in his memory. A 29-year-old woman from Merton, London, was arrested last month on suspicion of encouraging or assisting Vlad's suicide. The government announced plans to tighten laws on buying drugs online that can be used for suicide following Vlad's death and that of another individual from Southampton.
Incident Details
Content or interactions that contribute to self-harm, suicidal ideation, or eating disorders.
Content or contact linked to suicidal ideation, attempts, or completion.
Sources
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