A former licensed nurse and married father of two teen-aged girls is going to jail on convictions of assisting a suicide and attempting to assist a suicide.
William Melchert-Dinkel, 52, was alleged to have gone online seeking distressed people, while assuming different persona, usually as a distressed young female nurse. He allegedly tried to convince the people to commit suicide by entering into false suicide pacts. It was alleged he wanted them to hang themselves while online so he could watch.
The BBC has reported that the American had acknowledged having taken part in online chats about suicide with up to 20 people and entering into fake suicide pacts with about 10, five of whom he believed killed themselves
The Minnesota, USA, resident was convicted in September of assisting in the hanging death in 2005 of Mark Drybrough, 32, of Coventry, England and attempting to assist in the death Nadia Kajouji, 18, of Brampton, Ontario who committed suicide in 2008 by jumping into an icy river while attending university in Ottawa..
Fifth Estate documentary ; Justice for Nadia (45;00)
Melchert-Dinkel was sentenced to five years, but will on serve 178 days in jail if he complies with other conditions set by the court.
He is reported to have told the judge he was sorry for his actions. His lawyer says he will appeal the sentence
Online predator encouraged suicide: conviction (Sept 10, 2014)
with files from CBC, CTV, BBC
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