Friday, February 27, 2015

18 Year Old Charged in Suicide Case

Student, 18, 'encouraged her friend to kill himself', organized a fundraiser in his name - and was only caught when cops found her texts telling him to take his life

  • Michelle Carter 'sent Conrad Roy III, 18, a series of texts encouraging to take his life in a parking lot in Fairhaven, Massachusetts last July'
  • He was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in his idling truck
  • The night of his death, she wrote on Twitter: 'I will never understand why this had to happen'
  • She raised $2,300 for suicide prevention through a softball event and often shared messages online about how much she missed her friend
  • Carter, who was 17 at the time, was arraigned this month as a youthful offender, which means she could face punishment as an adult if convicted
  • She is free on bail and continues to study and take part in volunteer work

A high school honor roll student encouraged her friend to kill himself before raising thousands of dollars for suicide prevention, according to authorities. 
Michelle Carter, 18, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Conrad Roy III, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his idling truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts last July.
When Roy texted Carter that he wasn't sure he should take his life and had climbed out of the vehicle, she allegedly texted him: 'Get back in.'
Carter, who was 17 at the time of Roy's suicide, was indicted on February 5 and arraigned on an involuntary manslaughter charge the next day in New Bedford Juvenile Court.
The high school senior was charged as a youthful offender, which means her case is open and she could face punishment as an adult if convicted. She is free on bail and is due back in court in April.
Michelle Carter, pictured, is accused of encouraging her friend to take his life
Conrad Roy III, pictured, was found dead last July

Police and prosecutors say Carter, of Plainville, texted back-and-forth with Conrad before he took his life in the parking lot of a Fairhaven Kmart on July 13, 2014.
Court documents show the two friends exchanged more than 1,000 text messages in the days leading up to his death, the Fairhaven Neighborhood News reported.
Before his suicide, Conrad told her he was scared and not ready to leave his family, according to a police report, but 'she continued to encourage him to take his own life', theSun Chronicle reported.
'When he actually started to carry out the act, he got scared again and exited his truck, but instead of telling him to stay out of the truck ... Carter told him to "get back in",' the police report said.
His body was found in the truck after his parents reported him missing, and police found the text messages after looking through his phone. 
Gregg Miliote, a spokesperson for Bristol County District Attorney Quinn, said in a statement on Thursday that Carter knew he was having suicidal thoughts.
Tribute: In the hours after he was found dead, Carter shared this message to her Twitter page
Tribute: In the hours after he was found dead, Carter shared this message to her Twitter page
'Duplicitous': Three days after she allegedly encouraged him to take his life, she questioned why he had died
'Duplicitous': Three days after she allegedly encouraged him to take his life, she questioned why he had died
Cold: She also shared messages calling for suicide prevention, while paying tribute to her friend
Cold: She also shared messages calling for suicide prevention, while paying tribute to her friend
'Instead of attempting to assist him or notify his family or school officials, Ms. Carter is alleged to have strongly influenced his decision to take his own life, encouraged him to commit suicide and guided him in his engagement of activities which led to his death,' Miliote said.
Quinn will not be overseeing the case because he knows the girl's family, he added.
After the death, Carter, who attends King Philip Regional High School, started raising money and awareness for suicide prevention and organized a fundraising softball tournament last September.
In a description for the event, 'Homers for Conrad', Carter wrote: 'Life can be tough, but helping others makes it easier.'
She later wrote on Twitter that the event had raised $2,300.
Carter has also repeatedly posted online about how much she misses her friend.
'Such a beautiful soul gone too soon,' she wrote on the day of his death. 'I'll always remember your bright light and smile. You'll forever be in my heart, I love you Conrad.' 
Most recently, just two days before her arraignment, she shared this image of Conrad, adding: 'Really missing you tonight'. She is free on bail but has been ordered not to touch her social media pages
Most recently, just two days before her arraignment, she shared this image of Conrad, adding: 'Really missing you tonight'. She is free on bail but has been ordered not to touch her social media pages
Victim: Roy, 18, was a boat captain at his father's company and was about to start college when he died
Victim: Roy, 18, was a boat captain at his father's company and was about to start college when he died
Three days later, she added: 'I will never understand why this had to happen.'
'1 month without your goofy humor and genuine love,' she later wrote. 'I miss you every day. I hope you're finally happy up there Co.' 
On September 10, 2014, she posted: 'National Suicide Awareness day, I wish more people understood. I love you and miss you everyday Conrad. Help others #WeCanEndSuicide.'
Her most recent message - written just two days before her indictment - reads: 'Enjoy the parade from up there tomorrow Conrad, I know you would of loved to be there ♥ Really missing you tonight.'
As conditions of her bail, she is not allowed to use the internet or social media and cannot text anyone but her parents.
She is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 17. 
According to The Plainville Times, the teenager was also a founding member of 'Connect-To-Cure', a fundraiser selling $10 bracelets to raise funds for cancer patients at Boston Children's Hospital. 
Three weeks after she was arraigned, she went to the hospital to take part in a charity event. 
Her lawyer told The Standard Times that Carter did not commit a crime and expects the charge to be dismissed. 
Free: Carter, a high school senior who's on the honor role, has been charged as a youthful offender, which means her case is open and she could face punishment as an adult if convicted
Free: Carter, a high school senior who's on the honor role, has been charged as a youthful offender, which means her case is open and she could face punishment as an adult if convicted
'I can't understand why they brought the charge,' Joseph P. Cataldo said. 'They're trying to claim there is manslaughter, when they freely admit the boy took his own life. You can't have it both ways.'
King Philip Regional School District declined to comment on the case.
'The circumstances surrounding this tragic loss are under investigation,' Superintendent Elizabeth Zielinski told CBS Boston. 'Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and school community of Conrad Roy.'
Conrad Roy had graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School, where he was an all-around athlete who played baseball, rowed crew and ran track, according to an obituary.
He had earned his captain's license from Northeast Maritime Institute and worked for his family's marine salvage business. He was planning to attend Fitchburg State University. 
His father, Conrad Roy Jr., was on a tug boat that came to the rescue of victims of US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed in the Hudson River in 2009, the Sun Chronicle reported.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

In my opinion she has exhibited serious sociopathic behavior. I believe this girl is a danger to others. I hope she doesn't babysit.

GetThem said...

“I was stunned when police said it was from my parents’ [IP] address,” Dube said.

He probably was stunned, if he thought they wouldn't track the IP address to his dad and ultimately associate it back to him.

There are probably a lot of people that are too stupid to realize they can be tracked, caught and charged for a variety of crimes.

Unknown said...

Disturbing! This story knocked me for a loop. What would possess her to do that?

I am sickened at the thought of his parents learning that he was gone, and then having to hear that he felt scared, and not ready to leave them...but this black hearted shrew encouraged him to go through with it.

I can't imagine what her motivation would be?

Did she plan on showing up to 'save him', and playing the hero? (Obviously not)

Did she want the attention of being a mourning 'friend'? (It appears she did, but how devoid of morals, and human feelings is she to place a higher value on obtaining contrived pity for herself, than on saving her friend's life!)

How could she!?!

1. Face his devastated parents!
2. Organize a fundraiser in his honor knowing the role she played in his death!
3. Continue to post pictures and remembrances of him on FB, taunting his family, and the public!
4. Look at her self in the mirror, or go to sleep at night!

GetThem said...

I wonder too. Maybe it's a form of Munchausen Syndrome but a "friend" and not a parent???

Anonymous said...

Scary too think someone so young is showing sociopathic behavior. The exterior is pretty, yet, deceiving.

Anonymous said...

lol, should be 'to think' not 'too think' ok, done. :)

Sus said...

This is awful! I'm so glad they are pressing charges against Michelle Carter. They may not be able to make the charges stick, but at least the world now knows what a manipulating sociopath she is. This DA very likely saved a future life or two. Think Jim Jones.

Anonymous said...

Geez, with friends like her, who needs enemies. :(

Most of her posts about loving and missing him seem to be genuine though. She clearly states "I love you Conrad", "I miss you", "I hope you're happy up there". The last one about the (red sox?) parade she does drop the "I" when saying she misses him.

She then says: 'I will never understand why this had to happen.' And separately: "I wish more people understood".

Never is not reliable, right? This shows closeness, as obviously she told him to get back in the truck. Had to happen? Maybe it might've anyway, but she seems to have helped make it "had to happen".

What does she wish more people understood? If she's referring to her friends suicide, she clearly knew a lot, and even pushed him into it. Is she referring her own disturbed mind?

I don't care how old she is, she's deeply disturbed and needs mental health help. What kind of a person would push their friend into suicide? Is she that crazy? She craved attention that bad, that her friends life was traded for her own agenda?

I wish I could read the rest of the texts.

OldPsychNurse said...

Evil is not a mental health disorder. Evil is a disorder of the soul.

She needs to be removed from society as her soul is severely ill. She doesn't need mental health treatment. There are no medications or cognitive therapies that will make her less evil.

Anonymous said...

wow whata little psycho. lock her up for life,

Anonymous said...

Her sociopathic behavior may be more than norm than others prefer to admit. I found this statement on her Twitter:

If Beyoncé told me to go light myself on fire I would

A bleeding heart for causes that do not affect her nor could she ever relate to, e.g., 9/11, abortion, cancer, etc.

She merely mimics what is done by superstars like Beyonce and others that take the media spotlight.

Permissiveness is often the root of such perceived betterment of the world at large. She must have thought if he thought he'd be better off dead he probably would be. She'd provide assistance.

She is young, misquided and is doing what is expected of her...non-stop charity work.

I do not see this girl as evil. Status quo is more like it. Everyone else is doing it so it must be okay.

Lots of potent quotes used on her Twitter and some she coined herself.

Tania Cadogan said...

There have been similar cases where someone has encouraged others to commit suicide online.

I would want to know if he was her first or if she has persuaded others to do the same.

Has she visited sites where people have expressed a wish to commit suicide?
Has she encouraged them?

What is clear is if she is guilty as charged then she is a danger to anyone who is vulnerable.

S + K Mum said...

This is awful! :(

She wanted him to die so that she could be the centre of attention.

His poor parents learning that she wanted their son to die - for that!

Selfish and sick.

Anonymous said...

The haters never read any of her Twitter with a spirit of understanding. This is a young woman, 18, honor roll student, and charity driven person. However, it's easy to see from the photos self-esteem is lacking. (The same reason the young man committed suicide).

Reading the comments after more news coverage brought out more people bashers. These are the type of people who thrive on making people depressed (like the young man that committed suicide).

I think one commenter is correct. Kinda. Munchausen. No. Munchausen by proxy. No. Munchausen by proxy by Internet.

Anonymous said...

Hateful is her actions. She knows right from wrong. It's like saying the Nazi's killed jews because they had low self-esteem, were misguided, or suffered Munchausen syndrome which is often associate with a primary care taker.

False names is what perpetuates these types of actions. In a world of wannabes Kardashians/ Beyoncé types - some are willing to do anything. Sad commentary of lost values and lost understanding of what really matters. The parents should really take a good, long hard look at what they stressed as important with their daughter.

GetThem said...

Yep... Consciousness of Guilt. Tough to prove a mental disorder was the cause for her actions. Whether she does or does not have a mental disorder does not excuse her. She is high functioning and she knows the difference between right and wrong.

I think everyone is wondering how someone could do such a thing. What could cause someone to do it because it's so tragic. There really is no logical answer, everyone is just talking out loud so to speak. Not that any of the comments are right or wrong, it's just the sharing of thoughts and ideas.

Thank you.

question said...

When does'mental disorder "cross"to"evilness"? Its something ive always wondered? Thanks :-)

Anonymous said...

This young woman may be on the borderline of suicide as well. If you'd bothered to read her Twitter, it would be easy to see she may have been suffering, too.

Here's a link on teen suicide:http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-suicide/art-20044308

Too much charity work for a teen. Too much charity work for anyone as a matter of fact.

I live in a state that prizes mental health problems and has one of the highest depression rates in the nation. Most think more charity work will make it all better. Or, it you call whatever you're currently doing a charity, all is forgiven, e.g. stealing electronic equipment from a car could be called collecting donations.

After being rearended for the umpteenth time, a good samaritian sought to aleviate the pain of the impact by bearing witness. He actually saw nothing that could have helped either of us, but was the last to leave the parking lot after she was towed off and I drove away. Something tells me he may have been the cause of the accident. She was looking in the rearview mirror. Why? Trying to get in another lane. Was he blocking the lane or driving next to her to get her attention?

"She looks really shaken!"

Yeah! Bang! Out of nowhere at 45 plus miles per hour.

There's a reason he wanted it investigated and thought maybe my brake lights were out is why she slammed into me. After the back of a vehicle is banged up, it is moot to check the brake lights.

The Internet is proividing sociopathic outlets like never before. 12 year olds leaping to their death like Rebecca Sedwick.
This girl is 17. The commenters must be in their 80s as they view it is a war front against Hitler and his like. No right or wrong comments? Pfft!

Anonymous said...

Now I'll have to dig up the owners manuel one stalker for charity placed in my house while I had a contractor in doing work and the doors and windows were open. That was gay rights week if I recall correctly because when I went to get stuff for the contractor, the supplier, who is gay, had been burglaised the same day. When they tow mine vehicle away for good, at least they'll have a manuel that came from another military area that is also for fighting the non-existant Hitler.

Of course, the Texans that wanted it badly long ago may wish to buy it as is. It's about gun rights I think. Or, the free spirited Cali's that find interest in my neighbor's wreck could be interested. Their ilk monitor his Internet comments and leave glasses on his rear fenderwell to let them know they are being watched.

Even the cyberstalkers that call from my own number to let me know my credit status could be trying to sell me a new one. They walk the beat stealing people's mail and credit apps to let others know what they can and cannot afford, and which doctors and their insurance carriers are up to in case someone is not being totally honest.

Now that my back hurts, it's safe to assume I'll have to flee for medical attention.

But, it's okay. They are young and kids will be kids.

Instead of telling the drug dealing drunken party animals to shut it down and stay off private property, they shift the blame. "I can't, I have to go babysit." Pftt! Good deeds abound.Truth is: they'd be better off in a dog kennel.

Instead of inquiring why three (yes, three) black males are trying to destroy my security system and calling the police, a 60 something woman lets me know they were young (about 14-15) and implied what I did (telling them they were trespassing) was wrong-after several weeks, that is. Kids that young don't kick in doors and get shot. No way! Just trying to help the little children because they have really big hearts!

Anonymous said...

Furthermore, after being search for driving a wrecked vehicle (only druggies are involved in wrecks or drive wrecked vehicles)the cop failed simple kritical thankin' course: he didn't pat me down but looked in my purse for a gun. (I could have one in my pants behind my back or on the ankle) AND, he only searched half the vehicle and looked behind the seat (which is the least likly place to keep one because of the inconvince of reaching it). No, he was just another person creating stress and harassment for the common good since he only has 2 miles to patrol and it made him feel good. Just like the deputy that unleashed his pit bull at my yard sale...to scare off patrons and make his little bitty self feel superior as his dog was his weapon.

For this reason, it is evident they are in no way shape or form interested in drug dealers, illegal guns, or whatever. It's just what everyone else is doing so it's okay.

Anonymous said...

In the U.S., the disorder is known not as Munchausen by proxy but as "factitious disorder by proxy," the researchers noted. In the DSM-5, it is termed "factitious disorder imposed on another."

How often does this happen as described above? More often than we'd like to admit I fear.

The media tries to impose mental illness on unsuspecting victims and then already knows the treatment beforehand. They rally the masses for their causes like this young woman.

The disease, named after a German soldier who told wild heroic tales about himself, garners attention to self.

Her case may not be Munchausen, but something close enough to be compared. Perhaps Munchausen by proxy by Internet via chairity.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Old PhychNurse. This girl is evil. Pure evil. If you'd ever known someone as evil as she is, you'd understand just how rotten this clever girl really is.

I have, and do know an angel child, now only thirteen who would mastermind and has perpetuated schemes just as evil as this child has done, up too and including facilitating the early death of her father of a massive heart attack, beginning her evil schemes when she was only ten years old.

As I sit here, I am probably the only person who knows just what this child is capable of as she goes on being petted and sympathized with for the loss of her father; knowing that this brilliant child helped to cause his demise while she knows there isn't one thing I can do about it. Oh yeah, deliberate and pure evil, AND without conscience.

wreyeter72 said...

From CNN: SA gold...

In a message to Roy's mother dated July 25, 2014 -- twelve days after his death -- Carter wrote, "...There was nothing anyone could do to save him no matter how hard they tried. I never tried harder at something in my life."