US: US teenager commits suicide on webcam
21 Nov 2008 4:17 PMFLORIDA, Nov 20 AAP - An American teenager has committed suicide in front of a live webcam after being encouraged by people online.
Florida youth Abraham Biggs, 19, who went by the screen names "CandyJunkie"and Mr Biggs, told users on a bodybuilding forum he would be committing suicide that night and invited them to watch the live video.
The forum moderators dismissed the claim, assuming it was a prank while other users posted insults and even encouraged him.
The teen used the "lifecasting" website Justin.tv, designed to let users share the minutiae of their everyday lives, to stream footage from his bedroom.
Biggs was seen taking pills before lying on the bed with his back to the camera.
He didn't move, and users claim they realised it was serious a few hours later when they saw he wasn't breathing. Moderators traced Biggs's location and called authorities.
The webcam was still streaming live footage of the body as police entered the room. A laser-guided weapon was pointed at the body and an object was thrown at the bed.
Authorities then were seen on the video as they approached the body, checked for a pulse, and covered up the webcam.
Biggs' death was reportedly confirmed by the Broward County medical examiner.
Justin.tv chief executive officer Michael Seibel told online video news website NewTeeVee.com the service relied on users to report inappropriate content.
Biggs' friends have posted "RIP" messages on his MySpace page, with some still asking him to pick up his phone.
The circumstances of the teen's suicide are similar to another incident last year, when a man hung himself in front of a live webcam as internet usersegged him on.
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