|
| |
Dad of Teen Who Committed Suicide Via Web Cam Speaks Out
22-Nov-2008
Written by: Jessica McCumber
He said he is “appalled” that people would watch son’s death and not try to help him.
Abraham Biggs, Sr., the father of the 19-year-old college student who committed suicide live via Web cam is speaking out in anger against the virtual audience of his son’s death, reports the Associated Press.
He said that bystanders who went as far as to egg on the teen as well as those that simply sat, watched and did nothing, share blame for his son’s death.
"I think they are all equally wrong," Biggs said. "It's a person's life that we're talking about. And as a human being, you don't watch someone in trouble and sit back and just watch."
Reportedly, Abraham Biggs, Jr. was found dead 12 hours after announcing his intentions to end his life on a bodybuilding Web site. The teen then took an overdose of drugs in front of a live Internet audience.
Too few actually moved to contact the Web site about the incident to get help, and when they did, it was too late for authorities to get to the teen in time.
His father (who was at work and knew nothing of his son's Net presence) said that this is just another incident that calls for much needed regulation for the Net.
"I think after this incident and probably other incidents that have occurred in the past, they all point to some kind of regulation is necessary," Biggs, Sr. said.
He continued, "I think it is wrong to have this happen for hours without any action being taken from the people in charge. Where were they all the time?"
Biggs, Sr. said he felt like his son was reaching out for help, but instead was wrongfully “ignored” by viewers, something he finds appalling.
"I would not want to see anything like that on the Internet and not try and get help for that young man. I think that's what the average person would do. Any normal person would do. I'm really appalled."
Reportedly Biggs, Jr. suffered from bipolar disorder, and the autopsy concluded that the cause of death was an overdose of opiates and his medication, benzodiazepine.
It’s a sad thing for his father, who describes his son as a “good kid” who liked helping others.
With regret, the father said, "It's a shame I wasn't there to help him. It's a big loss to me. I wish I was there to help him — since nobody else would."
Talk to other readers about this story.
|
|
|
|
|
