West Yorkshire resident also faces unrelated charges involving indecent images
A 21-year-old man has been charged with encouraging suicide following the death of a man in the United States, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.
Dylan Phelan, from Morley, West Yorkshire, has been charged with encouraging suicide, contrary to Section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961, after allegations that he encouraged the suicide of a 21-year-old man in Louisiana during a video call on 30 October 2024.
Phelan is also charged with making an indecent image of a child and possessing extreme pornography. These charges are not connected to the suicide of the man in the USA.
Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.”
He added that the CPS had worked closely with West Yorkshire Police during their investigation into the circumstances of the death. “Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this time,” McHaffie said.
The prosecutor reminded all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings,” McHaffie stated.
Phelan is scheduled to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 11 February 2026.
