A 21-year-old man from Leeds has pleaded guilty to encouraging the suicide of a vulnerable young man in the United States after urging him to end his life during a live video call on the online platform Discord.
Dylan Phelan admitted the offence at Leeds Crown Court after a police investigation established that he had actively participated in a video call on 30 October 2024 during which Travis Dyer, 21, from Theriot, Louisiana, was urged to harm himself and take his own life with a shotgun. Dyer died while the call was still ongoing.
The pair had been in contact for several months through Discord prior to the incident. During that period, Dyer was known to be vulnerable and struggling with his mental health. The investigation found that the encouragement Phelan took part in was not an isolated act — in the months leading up to Dyer’s death, he had been subjected to sustained and serious encouragement to self-harm by members of the online group. Two others based in the United States were also present on the call.
Phelan himself came forward to police. On 27 March 2025, he attended Elland Road Police Station in Leeds accompanied by his parents and disclosed his involvement in the events of 30 October 2024. Following his arrest, he made full admissions in interview, telling officers he had become drawn to darker groups on Discord and accepting that his words had been a factor in Dyer’s death.
Examination of Phelan’s mobile phone also uncovered an indecent image of a child and other extreme pornography images. He had previously pleaded guilty to those offences at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.
Alex Johnson, Senior Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS Special Crime Division, said 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.” Johnson added: “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.”
Phelan is due to be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on 22 May 2026. The prosecution followed an investigation by West Yorkshire Police.
If you or someone you know is struggling, Samaritans can be reached any time by calling 116 123 or visiting samaritans.org.
