Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suicide Linked to Online Sextortion

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suicide Linked to Online Sextortion

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is releasing additional information regarding the death of a 15-year-old male in Cross Lanes, following the discovery that he was the victim of online sextortion shortly before his death.

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at approximately 7:10 p.m., deputies responded to 911 calls from both parents of the victim reporting a shooting on Kelly Road in Cross Lanes. Deputies arrived and located Bryce Tate, a student at Nitro High School, deceased inside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Detectives recovered Bryce’s cellphone from the scene and submitted it to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensic Lab. The device was examined by Detective Jarred Payne.

During the forensic review, detectives discovered communication indicating that Bryce had been targeted in an online sextortion scheme. Evidence showed that an unknown individual first contacted Bryce at approximately 4:37 p.m. on November 6, and the conversation continued until just minutes before his death.

Sextortion is a form of online exploitation where offenders coerce or manipulate victims into sending sensitive or intimate images, often by pretending to be another teenager or using fake social media accounts. Once the images are obtained, offenders threaten to release them publicly unless the victim complies with demands, typically involving money, additional explicit images, or both. These schemes often move quickly and are designed to overwhelm and panic young victims.  Although teenagers are most often targeted, adults can just as easily become victims themselves.

Due to the interstate and digital nature of this case, the investigation has been adopted by the FBI Pittsburgh, where it remains active.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences and prayers to Bryce’s family, friends, and the Nitro High School community during this heartbreaking time.

#KCSO #KanawhaSheriff