Police investigate possible online suicide chain

Parents are being warned to monitor their children’s use of the internet after an investigation has been launched into a possible suicide chain.

The last 12 months has seen seven young people between the ages of 17 and 27 hang themselves. All seven victims were from, or lived near Bridgend, South Wales.

In January 2007, 18 year old Dale Crole was found hanged in an old, disused warehouse.

Just one month later a friend of Dale’s from School, 19 year old David Dilling was found hanged near his home.

Two days before the funeral of David Dilling, another school friend, Thomas Davies, 20, hanged himself from a tree.

17 year old Zachary Barnes was found dead a few months later. He was a friend of Davies and had also hung himself.

The day after boxing day, Liam Clarke, a friend of Dale Crole and a schoolmate of Thomas Davies, hung himself from a tree in a park.

At the beginning of the year a friend of Clarke’s, Gareth Morgan, was found dead in his bedroom having hung himself.

The most recent victim has been that of 17 year old Natasha Randall. Natasha hung herself in her home. Natasha Randall was a friend of Liam Clarke and attended his funeral.

Within 24 hours of her death two of Natasha’s friends also tried to kill themselves. Both girls were admitted to hospital for treatment.

Several of the victims had profiles on popular networking sites such as Bebo. Natasha Randall posted a comment on a memorial wall set up on Bebo for Clarke saying “R.I.P. Clarky boy !! gonna miss ya ! always remember the gd times ! love ya x.”

Police yesterday seized Natasha’s computer for the investigation.

The parents of the seven young people have raised concerns regarding what they call a new “craze” and a “stupid fad”.

The investigation continues.