UPDATE: A tragic warning from a devastated father follows the shocking suicide of his 15-year-old son, Bryce Tate, who fell victim to a deadly ‘sextortion’ scheme. On November 6, 2024, Bryce received a menacing text from an unknown number that led to his heartbreaking decision to end his life just hours later.
Bryce was enjoying a normal day after returning home from the gym when the text arrived around 4:30 PM. Less than three hours later, he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His father, Adam Tate, expressed his outrage, stating, “They say it’s suicide, but in my book it is 100% murder,” when speaking with the New York Post. He described the perpetrators as “godless demons” who prey on vulnerable children.
Authorities confirm this incident is linked to a disturbing trend of sextortion targeting teenagers. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported over 33,000 cases of child sextortion in 2024, highlighting the alarming rise in this form of online exploitation.
Adam detailed how scammers pose as local teenagers to build trust, utilizing information gleaned from social media. They impersonated a girl who knew specific details about Bryce, such as his gym and friends, convincing him of their authenticity. Tragically, the photographs sent to Bryce were likely of another victim, further illustrating the manipulative tactics used by these criminals.
The extortionists demanded $500 from Bryce, who only had $30. Adam recounted his son’s desperate offer, “Sir, I’ll give you my last $30,” but the scammers refused. Instead, they pressured Bryce to take his own life, claiming his life was “already over.” In his final moments, Bryce received over 120 text messages in a short time frame, a tactic designed to overwhelm him and keep him engaged.
The FBI has reported a significant increase in sextortion cases, particularly among children and teens. “The FBI has seen a huge increase in the number of sextortion cases involving children and teens being threatened and coerced into sending explicit images online,” said FBI public affairs specialist Bradford Arick.
This is not an isolated incident. In 2022, multiple teenagers, including Walker Montgomery and Ryan Last, lost their lives after falling victim to similar scams. The perpetrators often operate from abroad, complicating law enforcement efforts to bring them to justice.
In response to this growing crisis, Adam Tate is advocating for legislative change in West Virginia to pass Bryce’s Law, which aims to impose stricter penalties for cybercrimes that lead to self-harm or suicide. He urges parents to engage with their children about these dangers, emphasizing that mere communication is not enough without awareness of the threats.
Adam shared, “You cannot find a closer family than me, my wife, and my son. But I just want people to know that having that safe space and that close family is not enough.” He insists that parents must actively discuss the risks of sextortion and monitor their children’s online activities.
The investigation into Bryce’s tragic death continues, with authorities aiming to prevent further losses to this insidious crime. As sextortion schemes proliferate, the call for vigilance and proactive measures has never been more urgent.
Parents are advised to maintain open dialogues with their children about online safety, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and reporting suspicious interactions. As this heartbreaking story unfolds, the hope remains that awareness will lead to prevention and save lives.
