Broward County (FL) - A 19-yr old named Abraham K. Biggs was urged to commit suicide on live streaming TV this past Wednesday. The viewers thought Biggs was joking after taking a bunch of pills and appearing to slowly go to sleep. After a few hours they began to realize he was serious and contacted the authorities. The Broward County medical examiner confirmed Biggs' death shortly thereafter.


Commentary

I had spoken with TG Daily managing editor (Wolfgang Gruener) about writing this piece along with some commentary. However, due to the nature of my feelings surrounding this piece, I cannot write anything like what I had originally planned. It's just too powerful.

In truth, this is one of those stories that I, as a journalist, hate to report on. So I'll only say this:
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. And I would only ask that if anybody out there is having such a terrible time with life, friends or whatever, please if you can't find anybody else to talk to or to cheer you up or help you, then at least try to contact me. I can be reached by my first name at this website's address. I'll talk to you. I'll joke with you. We'll have some fun and you'll realize things aren't so bad. And I know there are many more out there like me.

And to those who would seek to egg someone on in this way, what are you thinking? Is it fun to joke around about such things as death and suicide? Life is real and we are real. We are really here, and this really is our life.

Please, if anyone needs help just ask for it. That's all it takes. It might be the 1st, 5th, 10th or 20th person who helps you. But someone will, and there is hope. There are so many loving, caring people out there. Just look for them and, when you find them encourage them to stay the same.

Read more on iReport.com and NewTeeVee.com.


UPDATED:  November 21, 2008 at 12:18pm CST

#1 - By reader request, the video link has been removed.  UPDATE2: November 22, 2008 at 9:24am CST, it appears that most all videos online of this event have been taken down.

#2 - A reader of this article, who is also a suicide survivor, emailed me with the AFSP website. They reccomend it for anyone looking for help, or to help.  It is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I thank you, reader, for your contribution.

#3 - Opinion - UPDATE2:  November 22, 2008 at 9:24am CST, several comments have suggested that his committing suicide wasn't an issue caused by those who urged him to do so, stating essentially that he was in a place where he was going to do this regardless. I cannot accept that fact completely. I mean if he was determined to it, then he was determined. But beyond that, had the same people who urged him on reached out to him instead, saying "Hey, I like you. I want to know you. I want to be your friend. Please don't do it," then I do believe this young man would still be alive. I also believe those who would've reached out to him like that would feel better about themselves today. They would have a new relationship with what could've been an amazing young man.

I personally believe we owe it to each other to act in kindness and love at all times. We all get upset from time to time, and we all have momentary things. But on the whole, it should be our goal to act in love, to love one another, and ultimately to help each other out. And to those who don't believe in such things, I suggest trying it a few times. You might be surprised how much different you feel.


The opinions and commentary expressed herein are solely those of the author.

wow

Nov 21, 2008 12:03     

this is seriously a sad event, but not the first time something like this has happened. I really do feel sorry for his family, and wonder if they had any idea that something may have been wrong. I'm truely sorry for the loss his family has suffered.
suavey report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

f'ed up

Nov 21, 2008 12:10     

damn, that's really just F'ed up. I hope the douches who encouraged him get repercussions, I heard many of them are now desperately trying to have their comments removed. come on, he's 19, he was fresh off high school! he should have been on the verge of enjoying the true life.
JohnnyricoMC report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

Good and Bad

Nov 21, 2008 12:18     

Rick- In reading your response I somehow get the feeling that you've either lost someone close to you to suicide or that someone close to you has. Your comments are certainly sincere and heartfelt. However..... you posted the video? Let me ask you how you would feel if you were this kids parent? I'm certainly a promoter of full and open reporting but there are just some things that do not need to shown. Not only out of descency but out of respect for this persons friends and family. [This was something the site's editor and I discussed. In the end it was my decision to include it. However, upon hearing your complaint I have taken it down. There was a delay between me taking it down and the update because our server sometimes serves static pages during high load. The video has been removed, however. Thank you for your comment. :) -Rick]

DJ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +9

Amen Brotha!

Nov 21, 2008 12:28     

Amen, there are many people out there that you can reach out to, just try it, you'll be surprised how many people will lend an ear. Call the national suicide hotline as well.
The Hammer report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Well Said mate

Nov 21, 2008 12:30     

Couldnt agree more
Wellsaid report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

a lot of ways to say it

Nov 21, 2008 12:57     

To the viewers that urged Biggs to commit suicide... You reap what you sow. What comes around goes around. Karma's a b*tch. You guys have a lot of grief waiting on you in life.
Stew Pidd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Don't blame the strong

Nov 21, 2008 13:33     

This fellow was clearly not going to make it to the next decade, it's not the strong's fault that this weak soul took his own life. Yeah I'll commit suicide cause some people in a chat room tell me too. These are the same people that can turn into ugly things are society needs to get rid off.
webterractive report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -21

not the first time

Nov 21, 2008 13:40     

This isn't the first time he has done this. I'm a member at a site where he posted a link to this webcam. He was a member at the site for some time now, and we have seen him post numerous times on how he was gonna kill himself and posted links to the same webcam threatening to overdose. We at the site recieve numerous fake accounts and fake posts that it comes down to terms that we are really don't believe them. So as you can see, it would be hard for us to believe him when he has threaten to do this before but never did. I have stated on the site numerously how I am sorry for his death and how I regret some of the members handled the situation, but it comes down to where were the parents in this?

mikey report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

Sad but ...

Nov 21, 2008 13:56     

Consider most people who attempt suicide do it as a call for attention. I can't think of any better example than this here. While a sad thing, this is really no different than so many other suicides. I applaud Rick's offer to help those in need. For placing any blame on those who egged him on - I must disagree. The choices you make with your life are your own. I'm not saying they're the best of people who told him to go ahead. However, we live in a culture of 'train wreck tv' where reporters will play and re-play in digitally-enhanced-super-slow-motion a horrific accident or other happening. Society - for better or worse - feeds on extremes, drama, and the like. Pretty sad that's what we've come to as at least a partial result of news companies hunting for better ratings. In this case on tgdaily, the article focused not around the act, but on helping prevent it. Kudos.

ciscoopa report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

forget about the people egging him on....

Nov 21, 2008 13:58     

Forget about the people egging him on. They're probably kids themselves and are indeed quite lost. I'm sure most of them are feeling unimaginable guilt right now for making a mistake. By coming down on them for thinking this was a joke, maybe we are pressing them closer to suicidal thoughts of their own? It's a very sad situation with more than one victim. Nobody is perfect and we've all joked about things we shouldn't have. It's safe to say that this kid had problems outside of the internet and it's a shame those problems were not addressed and this kid didn't get the help he needed.

Thunderdome report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Re: Sad but...

Nov 21, 2008 14:48     

Quote ciscoopa: "Consider most people who attempt suicide do it as a call for attention. I can't think of any better example than this here. While a sad thing, this is really no different than so many other suicides." Unfortunately, if they are successful with the suicide, the attention they hoped to get is coming to late and therefore the suicide - in most cases - doesn't have the desired effect. At least not for the one person that could have used help. But then again, if you've come as far as having suicide thoughts, you brain is probably not thinking very rational anymore, but more emotional.

StudyMaster report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Nobody wins

Nov 21, 2008 16:05     

This is indeed a horrible thing. There is help. This isn't something that should be joked about. Sometimes there's a chemical imbalance or something not going right. People sometimes need a helping hand. It's sad to see this happen to anybody. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family. It's never easy losing anybody for any reason.
Headward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

Encyclopedia Dramatica will be all over this......

Nov 21, 2008 23:19     

Encyclopedia Dramatica will be all over this...
Vitor report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

be there, seen that...

Nov 23, 2008 11:50     

I've experienced something very similar to this... twice. (what are the odds?) All I can say to anyone who's in a similar situation is, take it seriously no matter what. Don't ever take it lightly when people are talking about suicide. I'm sure a few of the people watching thought the kid was joking... now they know. Just don't ever take it lightly, that's all.
rimbuk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Life is beautiful

Nov 24, 2008 16:18     

It was sad that the boy didn't get the spirit and meaning of his own life. May God guide his soul onwards.
A Gomes report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Self Pwnage

Nov 27, 2008 06:45     

Self Pwnage
r3vol report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2