The deadly rise of live-streamed suicides
As more people broadcast their own deaths online, Closer asks what’s behind this disturbing trend
Blogger Arslan Valeev, 31, filmed his own death in a live stream broadcast that made worldwide headlines last week. In the alarming footage, the Russian snake expert let his pet black mamba bite his hand and release its venom.
Shocked viewers watched as Arslan staggered off camera to his death. In the film he says, “If I die, then I die… I just will stay with you for some time. Just in case – on my mobile there is a message for Katya… Pass on to Katya that I loved her very much… I can’t believe it is happening to me.”
DEVASTATING DIVORCE
It is believed that Arslan was heartbroken over his divorce from wife Katya earlier this year. He had reportedly beaten her up after accusing her of cheating on him. At the time of going to press, Katya had yet to comment.
Arslan is just one of a growing number of people choosing to broadcast their suicide – at least 13 have been live-streamed on Facebook or Instagram this year.
In April, James M Jeffrey, from Alabama, shot himself in the head in a Facebook Live video following his relationship split.
Shockingly, the footage was viewed more than 1,000 times in the two hours before it was taken down by Facebook.
In another tragic case, 14-yearold Naika Venant, from Florida, documented her death as she hanged herself in a video in which sick commentators were allegedly heard egging her on and calling her names.
Another teenager, Isaiah Gonzalez, 15, broadcast the last moments of his life before his death by hanging, as part of the sickening Blue Whale internet challenge – which encourages children to harm themselves and even commit suicide.
And in one of the most shocking live-stream deaths to date – a Thai man, Wuttisan Wongtalay, 21, used his smartphone to film himself hanging his 11-month-old daughter on Facebook before taking his own life. The clip was viewed more than 100,000 times.
Closer’s psychologist, Emma Kenny, says the disturbing trend is simply a cry for help. She says, “In cases where suicide is used as revenge, live streaming the act is a way of further hurting the person who they believe has somehow betrayed them.
“However, the main reason people kill themselves online is because they feel completely alone and want to feel someone is there with them.
LEAVING A LEGACY
“Although the victim may feel worthless and invisible in their normal life, it gives them the hope that they will gain recognition after their death and will leave behind a legacy.”
However, the live-streaming of suicides also has a huge impact on its viewers – anyone can watch the feeds on social media sites in both real-time and afterwards, until the website is alerted and takes the video down.
Emma explains, “The footage is so detached from reality that it’s almost like watching a film and, although some viewers may not want to watch, people find it hard to look away.
“It’s also extremely damaging for family and friends. For, not only would they have to watch their loved ones’ tortured last moments, but they would have to deal with the publicity and haunting memories.”
However, until social media sites decide to take action against these broadcasts, Emma expects the problem will worsen and become more extreme.
She adds, “The more people commit suicide online the more normal it appears, so people will continue to do it.
“It’s unlikely we’ll ever be able to stop the live streaming of suicides. But the best thing we can do is to acknowledge the fact that we have a huge problem with mental health and to encourage people to get help.”