Man who sent video of USA man's suicide to Doncaster gamer is jailed

A 21-year-old man has been jailed for encouraging a 'vulnerable' man in America to take his own life - before then sharing the sick clip with a shocked Doncaster gamer.

WARNING: The following article contains references to suicide and self-harm.

Dylan Phelan is now behind bars for encouraging the suicide of a vulnerable 21-year-old in the USA via a video call.

He encouraged Travis Dyer to take his own life on 30 October 2024 after the pair had been communicating for several months via the online platform Discord.

During that time, Mr Dyer, from Theriot, Louisiana, USA, was known to be vulnerable and struggling with his mental health.

On 27 March 2025, Phelan attended Elland Road Police Station in Leeds with his parents and reported his involvement in events that had taken place online on 30 October 2024.

He disclosed that he had taken part in a video call, alongside two others based in the United States, during which Mr Dyer was encouraged to take his own life with a shotgun.

During that call, Mr Dyer had been urged to harm himself and end his life, which he did while the video call was ongoing.

A police investigation revealed that the encouragement was not an isolated incident, and that in the months before his death, Mr Dyer was subjected to sustained and serious encouragement to self-harm by members of the online group.

The video recording was sent to Zac Law from Doncaster, another gamer on the platform who knew both men.

He befriended them through an online chat group set up for people struggling with their mental health but he was unaware Phelan and two other men from America were in a separate group encouraging Mr Dyer to harm himself.

Describing what he saw, he said: "It's got Dylan and two American participants in there, and Travis has his camera on and his shotgun and they're just pushing him and encouraging him to do it.

"It definitely made me realise the people you think you know, you don't know and they're capable of things that you never imagined they were capable of."

Following his arrest, Phelan made full admissions in interview and said he had become drawn to the darker groups on Discord. He accepted that his words were a factor in the suicide.

Examination of his mobile phone also revealed the possession of an indecent image of a child and other extreme pornography images.

On 11 March 2026, Phelan pleaded guilty to encouraging suicide. He previously pleaded guilty to the indecent and extreme images offences at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.

At Leeds Crown Court, he was sentenced to six years and four months' imprisonment, and received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

The prosecution followed an investigation by West Yorkshire Police.

Alex Johnson, Senior Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “This was a deeply disturbing case involving the sustained exploitation of a vulnerable young man through an online platform.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of that offending. Those who use online spaces to encourage self-harm or suicide will be held to account. The anonymity of the internet does not place anyone beyond the reach of the law.

“Dylan Phelan did not simply witness these events – he deliberately and persistently encouraged Travis Dyer to take his own life, intending that he would do so. His actions were calculated, cruel, and had devastating consequences.

“Our thoughts remain with Travis Dyer’s family and friends. We hope today’s outcome provides them with a measure of justice.”

Following the sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, Phelan's mother Michelle Walker, said her thoughts and prayers are with Mr Dyer's family.

In a statement she said: "Firstly I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Travis' family for the immense grief and loss they have endured. My words will not in anyway ease their pain.

"From the moment I became aware of what had happened and handed Dylan to the police to this day, my thoughts and prayers have always remained with them and it has driven a desire for me to never stop fighting to protect and keep all our young family members safe from this ever happening again online."