Texted To Death?

Was Michelle to blame for her boyfriend’s suicide?

- Hannah Abbott

Conrad Roy III was struggling. Aged just 18, he suffered with anxiety and depression, and had even attempted suicide.

But, when he met Michelle Carter, 17, while on a family holiday in Florida in 2012, it appeared that he’d found a kindred spirit.

Michelle struggled with her body image, and also took medication for anxiety and depression.

The pair lived just 35 miles apart, in the state of Massachusetts. But, back home, they mostly stayed in touch via text and on Facebook Messenger.

As the bond between them grew, Conrad decided to confide in Michelle that he was considering self-harm and even suicide to end his mental anguish.

At first, Michelle was sympathetic and supportive. She urged him to seek help from a mental hospital, and begged him not to self-harm. 

I hate myself, I’ll always hate myself, Conrad wrote.

What is harming yourself gonna do? Nothing. It will make it worse, came Michelle’s pleading response.

But, over the next couple of weeks, something changed. Michelle’s replies to Conrad switched from being comforting to downright disturbing.

She began to send text after text, pressurising him to take his own life.

So are you sure you don’t wanna [kill yourself] tonight? she asked him.

Idk [I don’t know] yet, I’ll let you know, Conrad replied.

Because I’ll stay up with you if you want to do it tonight, Michelle offered, in a chilling response.

Another day wouldn’t hurt, Conrad texted back. 

You can’t keep pushing it off, tho, that’s all you keep doing, she replied.