Consider Before Consuming "They’re After Everybody’s Kid:" A Family’s Story of Loss to Sextortion
Trigger Warning
This episode includes topics of child sextortion and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
Episode Description
In this episode of Consider Before Consuming, Shannon Heacock and John Burnett share the deeply personal and devastating story of their son, Elijah. Recently, at just 16 years old, Elijah became a victim of sextortion — a form of online exploitation where predators manipulate and blackmail their victims using threats and explicit imagery, sometimes even using AI-generated content. Tragically, the manipulation and fear led Elijah to take his own life. John and Shannon’s courage in telling Elijah’s story is rooted in their hope that it can prevent other families from facing the same heartbreaking loss.
Episode Resources
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text "988"
NCMEC Resource: Take it Down
Article: Understanding Sextortion: A Growing Threat and How to Protect Yourself