Alabama man kills himself on Facebook Live, police say
MOBILE, Ala. (CBS NEWS)-- A 49-year-old man killed himself while broadcasting live on Facebook, CBS affiliate WKRG reports.
The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office said James M. Jeffrey lived in Robertsdale, Alabama, and was going through a recent break-up with his girlfriend. Jeffrey stopped responding to his girlfriend, prompting her to call police. Deputies were dispatched to Jeffrey's home. While en route, the sheriff's office received reports that the Jeffrey had killed himself and streamed the act on Facebook Live.
Upon arriving at the home, the sheriff's office said deputies found Jeffrey had shot himself in the head with a rifle. They seized the video as part of the investigation, and it was taken down from Facebook.
Jeffrey's death is the latest suicide broadcast on Facebook Live. On Tuesday, a man in Thailand hanged his 11-month-old daughter before killing himself while on Facebook Live.
At least three people killed themselves while streaming on Facebook over the course of one month earlier this year, including a 14-year-old girl who killed herself in January.
The girl, Nakia Venant, had been in and out of foster care for more than seven years. She killed herself several hours after posting \"I Don't Wanna Live No More\" to Facebook, adding three sad-faced emojis. Venant broadcast her death from the bathroom of her Miami-area foster home as she made a noose from her scarf and attached it to the shower door frame to hang herself, authorities said.
The spate of suicides prompted the social network to improve its suicide-prevention tools in March. The company unveiled new features making it easier for users at risk of harming themselves to connect with friends or support services. Users can also report live videos to bring them to Facebook's attention.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or get more information on their website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.