Girlfriend charged after 'encouraging boyfriend to kill himself'
A 21-year-old woman who had "complete and total control" over her boyfriend has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for encouraging him to take his own life.
Inyoung You, a former student at the prestigious Boston College, was "physically, verbally and psychologically abusive" to fellow student Alexander Urtula during an 18-month relationship, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said at a news conference.
“You sent Urtula, 22 more than 47,000 text messages in the last two months of the relationship, including “hundreds” urging him to "go kill yourself" or "go die," Rollins said.
You also tracked Urtula and was nearby when he died in Boston on May 20, the day of his Boston College graduation.
"Many of the messages display the power dynamic of the relationship, wherein Ms You made demands and threats with the understanding that she had complete and total control over Mr Urtula both mentally and emotionally," Rollins said.
You isolated Urtula from friends and family and was aware of the depression and suicidal thoughts brought on by her abuse, the district attorney said.
You is in her native South Korea, and it is unclear when she will be arraigned.
Prosecutors are in negotiations with You's counsel to get her to return to the US voluntarily, but if she does not, Rollins said, she will start extradition proceedings.
Urtula was a biology major who had completed his course work and was working as a researcher at a hospital in New York at the time of his death, Boston College spokesman Jack Dunn said.
He was also active in the Philippine Society of Boston College, an organisation of Filipino American students.
You studied economics at Boston College and had been scheduled to graduate next May but withdrew in August.
The case is reminiscent of that of Michelle Carter, the Massachusetts woman who was sentenced to 15 months in jail after she was convicted in 2017 of involuntary manslaughter for using text messages and phone calls to encourage her boyfriend, Conrad Roy, him to kill himself in 2014.
Rollins acknowledged similarities between You's case and Carter's case but said there were significant differences as well, such as the complete control You had over Urtula.
Carter's lawyers maintained her texts were constitutionally protected free speech.
Her conviction was upheld by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, but has been appealed to the US Supreme Court, which hasn't yet decided whether it will take up the case.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
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