Mother sues Snapchat after 13-year-old son dies in sextortion scheme

A mother in South Carolina found her 13-year-old son dead in their yard. He had been a victim of a Snapchat sextortion scheme. This means someone was threatening him to share private photos unless he paid them money. Sadly, Timothy ended his life because of this. His family was devastated. They asked the FBI for help to find the person responsible. They also sued Snapchat for their role in Timothy's death. Before Timothy died, he was begging someone on Snapchat not to share something online. It was later discovered that he had been talking to a stranger who was pretending to be a woman. This person was asking for money in exchange for not sharing a private photo of Timothy. The police found out about this, but they closed the case without fully investigating why Timothy took his own life. Timothy's parents were very upset with how the police handled the situation. They filed a lawsuit against Snapchat, saying the app was not safe for minors like their son. Timothy was a happy child who loved karate, going to the beach, and playing the saxophone. His parents want justice for him and are determined to fight for it. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Timothy passed away on April 6, 2023, after being a victim of a sextortion scheme on Snapchat. His family is heartbroken and wants to raise awareness about the dangers of online predators. If you suspect you are a victim of sextortion or know someone who might be, contact the FBI or local law enforcement immediately.