In a chilling investigation, the BBC has uncovered that more than 700 individuals in the UK have sought out partners for suicide on a disturbing, members-only website. This site, which is not being named, features a “partners thread” where users advertise their intent to end their lives and search for someone to join them. The investigation has linked several double suicides to this thread, exposing a harrowing reality of despair and manipulation.
Angela Stevens, whose 28-year-old son Brett took his own life in 2019 after connecting with a woman on the thread, describes the site as a “dark version of a dating app.” Brett, who traveled from the Midlands to Scotland to meet the woman, tragically ended his life alongside her in an Airbnb. Angela has since dedicated herself to researching the site, condemning it as a “vile” platform that preys on the vulnerable.
The investigation revealed that this thread is not only a haven for those seeking to end their lives but also for predators who exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly women. One such predator, Craig McInally, was convicted after luring a young woman to his flat under the guise of practicing suicide, where he repeatedly choked her until she lost consciousness.
The site’s operations continue despite the introduction of the Online Safety Act in 2023, intended to regulate such harmful content. However, enforcement has been challenging due to the site’s small size and US-based operations. Bereaved families, like Angela Stevens and Maria Barbos, whose daughter Roberta was also a victim, are calling for urgent action to shut down this thread, which they believe directly promotes illegal activity and causes untold suffering.
With the law’s enforcement powers not expected to take effect until the end of the year, the site remains active, continuing to attract vulnerable individuals and dangerous predators alike. The devastating impact of this online community raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of current legal protections and the responsibility of regulators to prevent further tragedies.