WARNING: DISTRESSING DETAILS - Dylan Phelan, from Leeds, encouraged a 'vulnerable' 21-year-old man in America to take his own life during a two-minute video call16:48, 12 Jun 2026Updated 17:12, 12 Jun 2026A man from Leeds has been jailed for encouraging a "vulnerable" 21-year-old man in America to take his own life.‌Dylan Phelan, 21, from the Churwell area of Morley, had been speaking with US citizen Travis Dyer, who was struggling with his mental health, for several months through the online platform Discord.‌A judge said he had acted out of "morbid curiosity" when he and two other men based in the US encouraged Dyer to kill himself during a two-minute video call on October 30, 2024.‌After Tyler took his own life, Phelan could be heard laughing in the background, Leeds Crown Court heard.Phelan, and the two other men, known only as Mads and Rob, were members of a private Discord server called 'Recovery4all' where they shared thoughts about mental health issues, the court was told.Andrew Petterson, prosecuting, said: "The name 'Recovery4all' was ironic as the members did not seek to help others with their mental health struggles. The deceased shared his suicidal thoughts within the group and his plans to take his own life."‌Dyer was encouraged by the trio to spend all his money on drugs and alcohol so that he had no means of sustaining himself financially, the court heard. He was also encouraged to carve the initials of the men into his skin, with Phelan's name carved onto his hip.Petterson added: "This was a campaign of cruelty during which Travis Dyer was groomed into taking his own life."‌A post-mortem examination showed that Dyer had died from a gunshot wound.Phelan was arrested after he was taken to Elland Police Station by his parents who were told about their son's involvement in Dyer's death by a woman who Phelan had initially met online and later in person.He then told officers he had assisted the suicide of a man in Louisiana, USA, who he referred to as 'Tyler'.Article continues belowPhelan's phone and computer were seized following his arrest, and he was later further questioned and charged after extreme pornography and an indecent image of a child were found on his devices.This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.