Executive Summary
- Victim Identification: Bryce Tate, a 15-year-old student at Nitro High School, was found deceased in Cross Lanes, W.Va.
- Forensic Evidence: Digital analysis revealed the teen was targeted in a sextortion scheme beginning just hours before his death.
- Federal Involvement: The investigation has been adopted by the FBI Pittsburgh field office and remains active.
The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into the death of a 15-year-old student following evidence linking the tragedy to an online sextortion scheme. Deputies responded to a residence in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, on November 6, where they discovered Bryce Tate deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to official reports.
Law enforcement officials stated that emergency dispatchers received 911 calls from both of the victim’s parents at approximately 7:10 p.m., reporting a shooting on Kelly Road. Upon arrival, deputies found Tate, a student at Nitro High School, inside the home. Following the initial response, investigators seized the teenager’s phone and submitted it to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensic Lab for comprehensive analysis.
According to detectives, the forensic review uncovered digital communications indicating that Tate had been targeted by an unknown individual in a sextortion plot. The timeline established by investigators reveals that the perpetrator first contacted Tate at approximately 4:37 p.m. on the day of his death, with the exchange continuing until minutes before the incident occurred.
The Sheriff’s Office described the nature of the crime as a form of exploitation where offenders coerce victims into sharing sensitive images, subsequently threatening public release unless demands for money or additional content are met. Authorities noted that these operations often progress rapidly to overwhelm the victim, targeting both teenagers and adults.
Investigative Outlook
The adoption of this case by the FBI Pittsburgh field office underscores the severity and likely federal jurisdiction of the cybercrime, which remains an active investigation. As authorities work to identify the unknown individual responsible for the coercion, the case highlights the critical window of time in digital exploitation schemes targeting minors. Law enforcement officials are currently focusing on tracing the digital footprint of the suspect to determine the source of the extortion.
