In a heartbreaking tragedy, 16-year-old Dinal De Alwis, a gifted sixth-former at Whitgift School in Croydon, took his own life after falling victim to a distressing blackmail scheme. Known for his academic excellence and athletic prowess in football and rugby, Dinal had recently started sixth form with aspirations to study at Cambridge.
The young student received two explicit photos of himself via Snapchat, accompanied by a threat to expose the images to his online followers unless he paid £100. Unable to cope with the pressure, Dinal left his family home, leaving behind a poignant video expressing his intent to end his life.
Dinal's father, Kaushallya De Alwis, described his son as a "golden boy" and expressed the family's profound grief. Despite achieving straight A*s in his GCSEs and excelling in subjects like English and economics, Dinal became a victim of online exploitation.
Law enforcement, including the National Crime Agency, acknowledged the difficulty in tracing the blackmailer, believed to be operating from Nigeria. Dinal's father emphasized the need for increased awareness about online dangers, urging parents to have access to tracking tools.
The inquest ruled Dinal's death as a suicide, shedding light on the devastating consequences of cyberbullying and the urgent need for enhanced safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals from such online threats. The De Alwis family hopes to prevent similar tragedies, emphasizing the importance of open communication and vigilance in the digital age.
