{"id":5431,"date":"2026-06-13T13:13:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T13:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/inside-warped-mind-of-man-who-lured-21-year-old-to-suicide-in-sick-phone-call\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T13:13:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T13:13:03","slug":"inside-warped-mind-of-man-who-lured-21-year-old-to-suicide-in-sick-phone-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/inside-warped-mind-of-man-who-lured-21-year-old-to-suicide-in-sick-phone-call\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside warped mind of man who lured 21-year-old to suicide in sick phone call"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_1a5e55\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. Dylan Phelan has been sentenced to six years and four months for encouraging vulnerable Travis Dyer to die by suicide on a twisted video call. But what drives this warped online behaviour?<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37284595\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dylan Phelan\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284595.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284595.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284595.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284595.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Cyber-predator Dylan Phelan has today been sentenced\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Cyber-predator Dylan Phelan has today been sentenced<cite aria-label=\"Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A<a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" cyber-predatorLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/breaking-online-predator-who-committed-31878887\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\"> cyber-predator<\/a> who persuaded a vulnerable man to kill himself during a twisted group video call has been sentenced today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dylan Phelan, from Morley, West Yorkshire appeared at court today where he was sentenced to six years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to encouraging the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"suicide Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/family-three-died-murder-suicide-37265308\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">suicide <\/a>of Travis Dyer. Mr Justice Cotter, sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, said Phelan was motivated by &#8220;morbid curiosity&#8221; and told Phelan, &#8220;You wanted to feel like you had control over the actions of another. You showed no respect for the life of Travis Dyer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Travis, a Louisiana resident who had been quietly struggling with his<a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" mental health,Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/mental-health\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\"> mental health,<\/a> was remembered by those who knew him best as &#8220;sweet, gentle, quiet, kind, and very caring.&#8221; Tragically, Phelan took advantage of that gentle nature in the most disturbing manner imaginable. Phelan admitted encouraging suicide, making an indecent image and possessing extreme pornography.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Though an ocean separated the two young men, Phelan managed to exert a dark, ruinous influence over the 21-year-old American. According to the<a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/two-convicted-trafficking-weapons-international-37283289\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\"> Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), <\/a>the fatal video call on October 30, 2024 &#8211; which was witnessed by two other online group members in the US &#8211; was the culmination of a campaign of abuse that was months in the making.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A subsequent police investigation revealed that Travis had been subjected to &#8220;sustained, serious encouragement to self-harm&#8221; by members of the online Discord group. In a police interview, Phelan admitted he had become &#8220;drawn to the darker groups&#8221; on the platform and accepted his words were a direct factor in Travis&#8217;s death. In the lead up to his suicide, Travis carved Phelan&#8217;s name into his body, the court heard.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37177004\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37177004\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Travis Dyer\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37177004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Thumbnail.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37177004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Thumbnail.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37177004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Thumbnail.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37177004.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Thumbnail.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"21-year-old Travis Dyer died after being encouraged to take his own life by a cruel internet 'friend'\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">21-year-old Travis Dyer died after being encouraged to take his own life by a cruel internet &#8216;friend&#8217;<cite aria-label=\"Image: Samart Funeral Home\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Samart Funeral Home)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In the video call that saw Travis take his own life, Phelan was heard repeatedly encouraging him to pull the trigger, and is said to have laughed when Travis finally did so. Travis had struggled in his personal life, tragically losing both his mother and sister to drowning, and had joined the messaging board in Discord where people spoke about their mental health &#8211; though it was not categorised as a support group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">What drives an individual to engage in such insidious manipulation? On this, the Mirror heard from detective, social worker, and crime writer <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Roshan PitteeaLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/roshanpitteeaauthor.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Roshan Pitteea<\/a>, who has spent much of his career focused on safeguarding issues and protecting vulnerable individuals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Pitteea remarked: &#8220;From what&#8217;s been reported, there appears to have been a deeply disturbing fascination from those tormenting Travis online &#8211; almost a cruel curiosity about whether he would actually harm himself. That level of emotional manipulation is profoundly sinister.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As noted by Mr Piteea, fears over predatory behaviour on the internet are &#8220;nothing new&#8221;. As far back as 2006, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) was established to address fears that children were being targeted online, on a scale that required agencies across international borders to work together. Now, the situation is even more complex.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37284596\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37284596\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dylan Phelan, 21, who is on bail for encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer, along with one count of making an indecent image of a child, and three counts of possessing extreme pornography, outside his home in Morley, Leeds, 23 April 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284596.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284596.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284596.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284596.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Phelan managed to exert a dark, ruinous influence over the 21-year-old American\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Phelan managed to exert a dark, ruinous influence over the 21-year-old American<cite aria-label=\"Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As Mr Piteea observed: &#8220;Nearly 20 years later, the threat has only grown. As technology has evolved, so too have the dangers facing children and vulnerable people online. The National Crime Agency has repeatedly warned that online offending continues to increase despite major efforts by police and lawmakers to combat it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Originally built as a hangout spot for gamers to chat via topic-based servers, Discord has grown exponentially. While the platform hosts millions of harmless communities, experts have repeatedly raised alarms over the disturbing rabbit holes hidden within it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Research by the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Global Network on Extremism &amp; TechnologyLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/gnet-research.org\/2026\/03\/11\/inside-the-discord-server-echo-chambers-and-the-spread-of-gen-z-radicalisation\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Global Network on Extremism &amp; Technology<\/a> found that out of<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong>700 messages taken from publicly accessible Discord servers linked to jihadist-inspired communities, around 200 contained &#8220;explicit extremist or jihadist content&#8221;, including graphic videos.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37284597\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37284597\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dylan Phelan, 21, who is on bail for encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer, along with one count of making an indecent image of a child, and three counts of possessing extreme pornography, outside his home in Morley, Leeds, 23 April 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284597.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284597.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284597.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284597.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Those who tormented Travis displayed a 'cruel curiosity'\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Those who tormented Travis displayed a &#8216;cruel curiosity&#8217;<cite aria-label=\"Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In March 2025, researchers at the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"University of HuddersfieldLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/pure.hud.ac.uk\/en\/publications\/danger-on-discord-how-764-prey-on-and-extort-minors\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">University of Huddersfield<\/a> highlighted that<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong>Discord was among the platforms targeted by the notorious online network Group &#8216;764\u2019, which blackmails vulnerable minors into creating child sexual abuse material, self-harming, and animal torture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Delving into what exactly might be going through the minds of such abusers, Mr Piteea explained: \u201cThe online world has become more immersive and more anonymous than ever before. Filters, fake profiles, avatars and VPNs allow people to hide behind a digital mask and behave in ways they might never dare to in real life. For some offenders, that distance from the victim can make it easier to dehumanise the person on the other side of the screen and ignore the devastating consequences of their actions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In response to growing scrutiny over user safety, Discord has rolled out several global safety initiatives. In February, the platform launched a worldwide &#8216;Teen Default Experience&#8217;, requiring face scans or ID verification before users can enter over-18 spaces.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37284598\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37284598\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dylan Phelan, 21, who is on bail for encouraging the suicide of Travis Dyer, along with one count of making an indecent image of a child, and three counts of possessing extreme pornography, outside his home in Morley, Leeds, 23 April 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284598.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284598.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284598.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37284598.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"In a police interview, Phelan admitted he had become 'drawn to the darker groups' on Discord\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">In a police interview, Phelan admitted he had become &#8216;drawn to the darker groups&#8217; on Discord<cite aria-label=\"Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Charley Atkins \/ SWNS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And in March, it published its <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.discordapp.com\/assets\/transparency-reports\/TCO-Report-2026.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Transparency Report for the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation<\/a>, detailing its use of machine learning models to intercept harmful content. However, safety experts remain deeply concerned about private, direct messages, which cannot be monitored with the same scrutiny as public servers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Mr Piteea has noted that this tragic case serves as &#8220;a reminder that abuse does not fit one stereotype&#8221;. He warned: &#8220;Years ago, people wrongly assumed domestic abusers or child predators looked or behaved a certain way. We now know offenders can come from any background, any profession and any community, including online communities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The challenge for police and the wider criminal justice system is that technology is changing incredibly quickly, and offenders are constantly adapting alongside it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Travis&#8217;s great-grandmother Vivian Mahoney, who followed proceedings from the US via a videolink, said in a victim statement: \u201cTravis Dyer was a shy, smart and resilient young man who survived more tragedy than most endure in a century.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe was deeply adored and had a bright future ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThat future was stolen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>The Mirror has reached out to Discord for comment.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>If you&#8217;re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24\/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"jo@samaritans.orgLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/mailto:jo@samaritans.org\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">jo@samaritans.org<\/a> or visit their site to find your local branch<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/dylan-phelan-travis-dyer-discord-37146488\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. Dylan Phelan has been sentenced to six years and four months for<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_First-picture-of-Brit-facing-jail-for-encouraging-US-man-to-kill-himself-online.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5431\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}