Police name webcam suicide man

Police have named a man who was found dead after apparently committing suicide while using a webcam in an internet chatroom.

The body of Kevin Neil Whitrick, 42, was discovered at an address in Telford, Shropshire, after police forced their way into the property.

Officers had been alerted by another internet user that Mr Whitrick had appeared to self-harm while using a messaging service late on Wednesday.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said Mr Whitrick was found dead in Orleton Lane, Wellington, Telford, at about 11.15pm.

The spokesman said: "Police were alerted to the incident by colleagues from West Midlands Police but despite attempts to resuscitate Mr Whitrick, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

"An investigation into all the circumstances surrounding his death has been launched and police can now confirm that Mr Whitrick was using a webcam in an internet chat room at the time of his death."

No one else is being sought in connection with the death, which is being officially treated as unexplained.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Groves, who is leading the investigation, added: "Our enquiries to date have revealed that Mr Whitrick was using a chat room with a number of other people at the time of his death.

"We are liaising with the internet service provider to contact other users who were online at the time of this incident and who may have information that could assist our enquiries.

"We are also working to ensure that witness support facilities are available to those who may have been affected by what they saw."

Copyright Press Association 2007

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