Police believe extortion attempt led to teen’s death
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988. Burrell Behavioral Health’s 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-800-494-7355.
Authorities believe that an Ozarks teen’s death may have been the result of an extortion attempt.
The Aurora-Marionville Police Department and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Friday indicating 16year-old Evan Boettler’s Jan. 3 suicide stemmed from nefarious circumstances, leading him to take his own life due to the overwhelming pressure of someone threatening to release the teen’s private photos.
Investigators said they were able to determine that an hour before Boettler’s death, an apparent extortion attempt occurred on one of the teen’s social media apps. Boettler was told, according to police, that if he didn’t send an undisclosed amount of money, his photos would be released to his family, friends and members of the community.
“They placed Evan under extreme pressure to pay this money and made numerous threats if the money was not paid,” Aurora-Marionville Police Chief Wes Coatney said, noting that the teen did not appear to be experiencing depression leading up to his death. “These events are believed to have taken place only hours before Evan took his own life, presumably believing he had no other way out.”
Neither law enforcement agencies nor the News-Leader typically name suicide victims publicly but Boettler’s parents requested the investigating agencies release his name with the details leading up to his death.
Coatney told the News-Leader that there hasn’t been an arrest in connection to the teen’s death and that his phone is still being thorough