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Wilson appeared to put a video of their communications on You Tube and told him she\u2019d done so, but it was not yet live on the platform.<\/p>\n
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She then told the teen he needed to pay $5000, which would be given to an organisation that helps starving children.<\/p>\n
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He told Wilson he had no money, then panicked and told his mother what had happened.<\/p>\n
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The coroner said the teen was \u201cextremely distressed\u201d to the point he threw up in his bedroom. He told his mother he had found out Wilson was a minor and was worried he would get a criminal record.<\/p>\n
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His mother said things were not that bad and to ignore them, but the teen said he was ashamed and couldn\u2019t face school and his friends in the coming week.<\/p>\n
\n
\nHe told her he needed time to himself.
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According to the inquest findings, she left him for about 10 to 20 minutes and tried to find Wilson\u2019s Facebook account online.<\/p>\n
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When she returned, he was gone so she asked his sibling to help look for him.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
His sibling found him injured and emergency services were called. He was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.<\/p>\n
\n
\n\u2018A short, sharp attempt at getting blackmail material\u2019
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<\/p>\n
The coroner said police have completed their investigation into the teen\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
They identified an individual during the investigation and concluded the person was criminally liable for blackmailing the teen.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Police said they had identified an individual who was criminally responsible.<\/p>\n
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In their view, the blackmail was \u201cthe predominant contributing factor in his suicide\u201d.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
However, police didn\u2019t have enough admissible evidence to extradite and charge the individual.<\/p>\n
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The coroner said an analysis of the person\u2019s account revealed a pattern of harm involving multiple social media accounts, and activity traced to West Africa.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Police said the offending account\u2019s visible interactions suggested contact with multiple young people.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Police characterised the interaction with the teen as a \u201dshort, sharp attempt at getting blackmail material,” as opposed to a romance scam, and believe it fits with the \u201cMO for other overseas sextortion cases\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\n10 cases a week, victims as young as 9
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<\/p>\n
Detective Inspector Stuart Mills, police manager of intercept and technology operations, told NZME there were still no further lines of inquiry.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite extensive efforts, including co-operation with international partners and technical attribution, jurisdictional and data retention limitations prevented further progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
He urged victims of sextortion or any kind of online blackmail to report the matter to police as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Mills said police had seen instances of children as young as 9 targeted by sextortion, \u201calthough this type of offending doesn\u2019t discriminate; we have also seen victims as old as 76\u2033.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Coroner McKenzie\u00a0referenced 2024 Police Association data<\/a>\u00a0which showed police were dealing with an average of 10 cases of sextortion a week, 88% of the victims were male, and most victims (43%) were aged 16 to 20.<\/p>\n
In considering whether recommendations were appropriate, she referenced a\u00a0police media release<\/a>\u00a0outlining how to spot offending, advice for victims, parents and caregivers.<\/p>\n
The coroner also acknowledged the steps the teen\u2019s mother took to look after and reassure him, as well as the trauma she and his sibling suffered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI extend my deepest condolences to his family for their loss in these very challenging circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
HOW TO SPOT OFFENDING EARLY<\/p>\n
FOR VICTIMS<\/p>\n
FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS<\/p>\n
WHERE TO REPORT OFFENDING<\/p>\n
POLICE: Call 105 (non-Emergency) or 111 (Emergency)<\/p>\n
NETSAFE: Text \u2018Netsafe\u2019 to 4282. Email: [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>, Call toll free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723). Online report form at netsafe.org.nz\/report. The helpline is open from 8am \u2013 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am \u2013 5pm on weekends.<\/p>\n
Al Williams is an Open Justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald, based in Christchurch. He has worked in daily and community titles in New Zealand and overseas for the last 16 years. Most recently he was editor of the Hauraki-Coromandel Post, based in Whangamat\u0101. He was previously deputy editor of the Cook Islands News.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\n
\nAdvice for teens and their families
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<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n\tMeeting on one app, then being encouraged to continue a conversation on a different platform could be an indicator.
\n\tInconsistencies with a profile or language and possible signs that English is a second language.
\n\tIntroduction of sexualised conversations.
\n\tThe other person may say that their webcam or microphone isn\u2019t working for video calls\/chats to avoid giving their true identity.
\n
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<\/p>\n
\n
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\n\tAvoid sending any more images or videos – even if you are being threatened. If you comply with their demands there is nothing preventing them from targeting you again.
\n\tSave all the online chat and immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the police, who need all the evidence you can gather.
\n\tBlock the profile.
\n\tReport the content to the platform (e.g. Facebook, Snapchat, PornHub) it is on and request the content is removed.
\n\tMake a report to police (via 105) or Netsafe.
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n\tSupervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with and what platforms, apps or games they are using.
\n\tHave open conversations, often. Talk to your child about their online activities.
\n\tCheck privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
\n\tBe approachable if your child needs help. Coming forward isn\u2019t always easy, and children may feel reluctant to talk about online issues if they believe they will be punished or have their devices taken away.
\n\tIf your child is a victim of online child sexual exploitation, they need support.
\n\tReport suspicious behaviour. Seek help and support, and report inappropriate or suspicious behaviour online.
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<\/p>\n
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\nSUICIDE AND DEPRESSION
\n
\nWhere to get help:
\n\u2022\u00a0Lifeline<\/a>: 0800 543 354 (available 7am to midnight)
\n\u2022\u00a0Suicide Crisis Helpline<\/a>: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO (available 24\/7)
\n\u2022 Youth services: (06) 3555 906
\n\u2022\u00a0Youthline<\/a>: 0800 376 633
\n\u2022\u00a0What’s Up<\/a>: 0800 942 8787 (11am to11pm)
\n\u2022\u00a0Depression helpline<\/a>: 0800 111 757 (available 24\/7)
\n\u2022 Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
\n\u2022 Helpline: 0800 000 053
\n\u2022\u00a0Samaritans crisis helpline<\/a>: 0800 72 66 66 (available 24\/7)
\n\u2022\u00a0Aoake te R\u0101- bereaved by suicide service\u00a0<\/a>: 0800 000 053
\nIf it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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