A Pennsylvania coroner has ruled a 13-year-old boy’s death this summer as homicide due to sextortion.
Levi Maciejewski was tragically discovered dead in the backyard of his family home in Cumberland County in August, as reported by WGAL. District Attorney Sean McCormack confirmed the coroner’s findings.
McCormack stated, “The circumstances surrounding his death, a situation involving him falling victim to sextortion, are crucial in the determination of the homicide,” as reported by WPMT.
In a Facebook statement, Tricia Maciejewski, the boy’s mother, revealed that “an online predator manipulated, threatened, and extorted him, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.”
“Efforts are underway to identify and hold the responsible party accountable,” she wrote. “We were an ordinary family with typical teenage kids, and our lives have been irreparably changed by this unfathomable crime.”
Maciejewski asked for privacy but said the family was making a statement to “bring awareness to the dangers of sextortion and prevent others from experiencing the pain we endure every day.”
Both Maciejewski and the district attorney urged anyone who has experienced sextortion to seek help immediately.
“We join with the Maciejewski family in encouraging the public that if you or someone you know has been a victim of sextortion, please visit the CyberTip Report or call the CyberTipline at 1-800-THE-LOST for support,” McCormack said.
Maciejewski also said more information can be found at missingkids.org/netsmartz/topics/sextortion.
