Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A teenager has tragically ended his life after being blackmailed by a scammer who used AI to create a nude photo of him.
Elijah Heacock, a resident of Glasgow, Kentucky, was only 16 when he became a victim of a sextortion scam in February. This occurred after he received a text message from a scammer.
Known affectionately as ‘Eli’ by his friends and family, the high school student was reportedly coerced into sending the scammer $3,000. The perpetrator threatened to share the fake images with people Eli knew if he did not comply.
On February 28, Eli tragically took his own life, passing away in the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Following his passing, Eli’s mother, Shannon Heacock, revealed that local law enforcement and the FBI suspect he was targeted in a sextortion scheme.
“Eli was on a good track. We had no reason to believe there was an issue at all. We knew nothing about sextortion or how it works,” Eli’s father, John Burnett, explained to ABC News.
Burnett also expressed to CBS News, saying: “The people that are after our children are well organized.
“They are well financed, and they are relentless. They don’t need the photos to be real, they can generate whatever they want, and then they use it to blackmail the child.”
In an interview with News Channel 10, Eli’s mom, Shannon, explained that the scammers demanded $3,000 from her son, despite him being a minor. The young boy even sent the scammer all the money he had.
The initial demand of $3,000 increased the financial burden on Eli’s family, who have since spent $30,000 on medical bills and his funeral expenses.
To assist with the ‘mounting bills’ while they mourn their loss, the family has initiated a GoFundMe page.
“Our beloved son Elijah Heacock was just 16 years old when we lost him to a devastating act of sextortion. Elijah was our world – the best son, a loving twin, and a cherished brother. He brought so much joy to our family and everyone who knew him,” the page states.
“He loved his school, playing tennis, spending time with friends, and being part of our community. His kindness and energy touched so many lives, and his absence has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.”
The message continues: “As we mourn Elijah, our family has faced overwhelming emotional and financial challenges. The loss of work and the mounting bills have made this time even more difficult. We never imagined we would be in this position, struggling to keep up with everyday expenses, while grieving such a profound loss.
“We are reaching out for support to help us get through these hardships and find some stability as we try to heal.
“We are deeply grateful for any help during this unimaginable time. Your support means more than words can express, and it will help us focus on remembering Elijah and caring for each other. Thank you for standing with us and honoring Elijah’s memory.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.