15-Year-Old Found Dead After Alleged Sextortion — Family Calls It '100% Murder' as FBI Opens Probe

A 15-year-old high school sophomore, Bryce Tate, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, on Nov. 6. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) said its Digital Forensic Lab determined Bryce had been targeted in an online sextortion scheme at 4:37 p.m. the same day; he was found at 7:10 p.m.

Investigation Underway

KCSO reported on Nov. 21 that investigators are coordinating with the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office. According to the family and law enforcement, approximately 120 messages were sent to Bryce in the 20 minutes before his death. KCSO’s Digital Forensic Lab traced the alleged sextortion contact to the afternoon of Nov. 6 and referred the matter for further federal investigation.

What the Family Says

Bryce’s father, Adam Tate, told media outlets the account that contacted his son posed as a local 17-year-old girl and gained Bryce’s trust by using personal details about his routine, friends and school. The family says the perpetrator sent explicit images of a young girl — believed to be another victim — and demanded money and illicit photos from Bryce.

“They say it’s suicide, but in my book it is 100% murder,” Adam said. “They’re godless demons — cowards, awful individuals, worse than criminals.”

According to the family, the extortionists demanded $500; Bryce reportedly offered his last $30. The family says the attackers then told him to kill himself, and that the rapid-fire messages were intended to create a state of panic and prevent him from putting his phone down.

Tyler Mountain Funeral HomeBryce Tate

About Sextortion

Sextortion typically involves coercing someone into sending sexually explicit photos or videos and then threatening to release those images to friends and family unless the victim pays money or otherwise complies. Per reports cited by local media, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children logged more than 33,000 child sextortion reports in 2024.

Response And Prevention

Local leaders and Bryce’s family are pushing for legislative change. Lawmakers in West Virginia are reportedly working with the family on proposed “Bryce’s Law,” which would increase penalties for cybercrimes that lead to self-harm or suicide.

KCSO Sgt. Jeremy Burns advised parents to keep teen social media accounts private and require authorization for new followers to limit contact from unknown accounts. Authorities encourage anyone who believes a young person is being exploited to report it to their local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI, or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

Note: This story involves suicide. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. For U.S.-based support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.