Picture of Abraham 'Andy' Biggs from his MySpace page.
Teenager Commits Suicide Online With Audience
My heart is absolutely broken today. I didn't know Andy Biggs, but I have a teenage daughter. I also attend church with dozens of teenagers whom I love and care about deeply.
Andy was a son. He also attended church with his family in Miami. How does this happen?
The horrifying and deeply troubling part of this story goes way beyond a confused teenager who felt no self-worth and took his own life. It goes well beyond the medical unknowns about the bi-polar disorder he suffered from in his life. The horror comes from the fact that dozens, maybe hundreds, watched him die via a webcam and all but a few did nothing...no, much worse...participated in play-by-play chatter that included vile, despicable comments while Andy struggled and died over several hours.
There are a number of things I could write about this today but won't. Instead with a heavy heart, I implore each of you to take a quick mental inventory of the young people you know, relative or not. If you feel the slightest hint of troubling in any of them, please take time today to send them a quick note or give them a call to let them know you are thinking about them. I keep a MySpace page for this very reason. It's a fast and easy way to not only communicate quickly but also to provide a positive example from my own page content.
I can't bring myself to write any more about this now, but I will pray for Andy's family and friends. Please join me.
4 comments:
My brother was once troubled. I saw all the signs there and had a talk with them. Sometimes talking or simply listening to someone can change their life.
this is aweful
I think that Any one that watched that had to be as sick as the one who took the pictures.
I think Andy's death will not be totally for nothing if we do what you ask us to do, Tony.....check out the teens around us AND pray. Very good reminder.
That poor young man.. IMagine feeling they wanted him to die as they teased? They say they never thought he'd do it. there aren't any words, are there......
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