CROSS LANES, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 15-year-old male in Cross Lanes as a suicide linked to online sextortion, according to a media release from the office.

Deputies responded to a 911 call from both parents regarding a reported shooting on Kelly Road in Cross Lanes at approximately 7:10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. They arrived to find Bryce Tate, a student at Nitro High School, deceased inside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Forensic detectives recovered Tate’s cellphone from the scene and submitted it to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensic Lab. During the forensic review, detectives discovered communication indicating that Tate had been targeted in an online sextortion scheme. Evidence showed that an unk

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