Utah teenager Tyerell Joe Przybycien, 18, told officials that he was fascinated by death and that he wanted to see what it was like to watch someone die. Przybycien said this after he was arrested in connection with the hanging suicide of a 16-year-old Girl in Payson Canyon in Utah.
The Spanish Fork teen was arrested and booked into Utah County Jail over the weekend on suspicion of murder, after the teenager told officials he filmed the girl’s death.
16-year-old girl reported missing on Saturday
According to Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff’s office, the girl’s mother reported her daughter missing on Saturday morning, saying she hadn’t seen or heard from the girl since Friday.
As reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, it was turkey hunters that encountered the girl’s body in an area close to Maple Lake Campground at approximately 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. She was hanging from the branch of a tree.
When deputies were on the scene of the suicide, Przybycien approached the officers, saying he knew the teenage girl (who authorities did not name) and said he had witnessed her death.
Girl picked up by Utah teenager
The Utah teenager went on to say he picked the girl up on Friday night and went with her to buy the rope, along with a can of compressed air, which were then used by the girl to commit suicide.
He reportedly drove the girl to Payson Cannon and asked her if she really wanted to kill herself.
Przybycien then filmed the girl as she put the rope around her neck and breathed from the air canister before falling off a boulder as she became unconscious.
As reported by the New York Daily News, the video ends by showing the Utah teenager attempting to talk to the unconscious girl and checking her pulse. However, while it appears he is trying to help, according to Cannon the 18-year-old made no effort at all to assist the girl after she passed out.
Teenager failed to stop girl from killing herself
While authorities believe it is clear the 16-year-old girl was suicidal, they went on to state that Przybycien failed to stop the girl from killing herself. He is now facing a murder charge for his actions, or lack thereof.
Police found a cellphone recording at the scene, allegedly made by Przybycien, showing the girl as she kills herself.
Police also found a note at the scene of the girl’s suicide which said that any questions about the incident could be found by watching the video.
A news release from the Utah County Sheriff’s office said that based on his actions, along with evidence collected at the scene, it has been determined Przybycien played an active role in the death of the girl. Przybycien was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail with bail set at $20,000.
