A man has pleaded guilty to encouraging the suicide of a vulnerable 21-year-old in the USA via a video call.

Dylan Phelan, 21, encouraged Travis Dyer to take his own life on 30 October 2024 after the pair had been communicating for several months via the online platform Discord.

During that time, Mr Dyer, from Theriot, Louisiana, USA, was known to be vulnerable and struggling with his mental health.

On 27 March 2025, Phelan attended Elland Road Police Station in Leeds with his parents and reported his involvement in events that had taken place online on 30 October 2024.

He disclosed that he had taken part in a video call, alongside two others based in the United States, during which Mr Dyer was encouraged to take his own life with a shotgun.

During that call, Mr Dyer had been urged to harm himself and end his life, which he did while the video call was ongoing.

A police investigation revealed that the encouragement was not an isolated incident, and that in the months before his death, Mr Dyer was subjected to sustained and serious encouragement to self-harm by members of the online group.

Following his arrest, Phelan made full admissions in interview and said he had become drawn to the darker groups on Discord. He accepted that his words were a factor in the suicide.

Examination of his mobile phone also revealed the possession of an indecent image of a child and other extreme pornography images.

At Leeds Crown Court today, Phelan pleaded guilty to encouraging suicide. He previously pleaded guilty to the indecent and extreme images offences at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.

He will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, 22 May 2026. 

The prosecution followed an investigation by West Yorkshire Police.

Alex Johnson, Senior Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “This was a deeply disturbing case involving the exploitation of a vulnerable young man through an online platform.

“Dylan Phelan did not merely witness what happened – he actively participated in goading Travis Dyer to take his own life, intending that he would do so.

“Online spaces are not beyond the reach of the law. Encouraging self-harm or suicide, whether in person or through digital platforms, is a serious criminal offence.

“Our thoughts remain with Travis Dyer’s family and friends. We hope that today’s conviction brings them some measure of justice.”