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My son died by suicide - here's what I found on his phone that parents must know
A grieving father whose son died by suicide has shared a warning to parents about the dangers of the internet.
Brett Allred, 50, searched Riley's phone after his passing in February, hoping to find his son's happiest memories, but what he saw made him 'vomit.'
Riley, 23, had screenshots from a website that showed step-by-step instructions on suicide methods 'as specific as a recipe making soufflé.'
Allred has shared his story in hopes parents will be more vigilant in monitoring their young kids' web activities to be aware if they find a suicide enabling site like his son did, as at least two million adolescents attempt suicide each year in the US.
A grieving father whose son died by suicide has shared a warning to parents about the dangers of the internet. Brett Allred, 50, searched Riley's phone after his passing in February, hoping to find his son's happiest memories, but what he saw made him 'vomit'
Riley, born in Oklahoma, was known as a protector among his friends, standing up for them and offering assistance when needed.
He attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Arizona wanting to study cyber security and was known by his parents as being fun, caring and always wearing a hoodie.
Riley took his life on February 23.
Allred told USA Today that the screenshots on Riley's phone were nearly identical to the way he killed himself.
'If he hadn't seen this, he would be alive today,' Allred said. 'He wouldn't have done this unless he knew it would guarantee success.'
Allred has lived with immense guilt since Riley's passing, blaming himself for not checking his son's phone.
Riley's obituary says he 'had everything to live for, but struggled with depression and coping with life's difficulties.'
Allred said that Riley was living at one of his homes in Oklahoma, but began to neglect his chores and became isolated from friends.
'It's just so strange, because, even though I noticed these behaviors, it just doesn't enter your mind like, 'Oh, my kid is suicidal,' ' Allred told USA Today.
Riley, 23, had screenshots from a website that showed step-by-step instructions on suicide methods 'as specific as a recipe making soufflé
Allred said that the screenshots on Riley's phone were nearly identical to the way he killed himself
The father gave the son an ultimatum - either keep up with the house or move out.
Riley chose to move in with his mother and stepfather, who have not been named, and then he ended his life.
'My worst fear did in fact come true,' Allred said.
'My ex-wife, his mom, she did everything I did. Tried to get him help. Tough love, also easy love. We tried to be soft with him, then we tried to be firm with him.
'Just nothing seemed to work. Got him professional help. Nothing seemed to work.'
He is not sure when or how Riley found the website, but such sites litter the internet.
A 2020 study conducted by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark found 136 English-language websites provided instructions to take your own life.
The New York Times published an investigation that found a specific site, which the publication did not reveal, draws in six million page views per month, four times as many as the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
A report published last week found that the US has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the world
At least 45 deaths by suicide in multiple countries were linked to the site, most of the individuals were 30 or younger.
Matthew van Antwerpen, a 17-year-old in suburban Dallas, was found to have used the site's instructions to commit suicide in 2021.
A report published last week found that the US has the sixth-highest suicide rate in the world.
A worldwide ranking by international prescription service Universal Drugstore listed South Korea as having the highest rate of suicides in men and women, with Croatia and Australia tying for the number 10 spot.
Suicide has become the tenth-leading cause of death in the US Rates increased 16 percent from 2011 to 2022, with the highest rate yet being reported in 2022 with a record high of 49,369 suicide deaths.
While many may think the way of death is more common among adults, a study published on July 30 found rates among elementary school-age children have nearly doubled in the past 20 years.
Researchers examined death records for US preteens aged eight to 12 from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2022.
They found that the rate rose from about 3.3 per 1million deaths in 2001 to more than nine per one million in 2021, an increase of more than 170 percent.
Research suggests that a protracted, worsening mental health crisis among young people is leading to rises in suicides. The crisis has resulted in record high rates of hopelessness, depression and anxiety.