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Police probe web cam chat death Police probe web cam chat death
(about 10 hours later)
Police are investigating the death of a 42-year-old man who appeared to harm himself while talking to people in an internet chat room using a web cam. A father-of-two who apparently broadcast his own suicide live on a webcam died from hanging, police have confirmed.
Police were called to an address in Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, on Wednesday evening, after a viewer in another area of the UK dialled 999. The body of Kevin Whitrick was found on Wednesday night after a chatroom usercontacted police to report the 42-year-old had "self-harmed".
Kevin Neil Whitrick, of Orleton Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Whitrick, from Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, was found hanged by police.
BBC Midlands Today said there were unconfirmed reports that the man had hanged himself. His ex-wife said he had suffered a serious car accident in July 2006 and had never fully recovered.
Counselling offered In a statement Mr Whitrick's ex-wife said: "Kevin was a loving father and familyman.
A West Mercia Police spokesman confirmed Mr Whitrick had been using a web cam at the time of his death. "He was always the life and soul of the party, an extremely considerate andkind person and loved by many.
Det Ch Insp John Groves said: "Our inquiries to date have revealed Mr Whitrick was using a chat room with a number of other people at the time of his death. "He will be so sadly missed by us all." West Mercia Constabulary said attempts were made to resuscitate Mr Whitrick, who has 12-year-old twins, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
"We are liaising with the internet service provider at this time to contact other users who were online at the time of the incident and who may have information that could assist our inquiries." Detective Chief Inspector Jon Groves said: "Our inquiries to date haverevealed that Mr Whitrick was using an internet chatroom with a number of other people at the time of his death.
The death is being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination is being carried out into the cause of death. "Police have managed to secure some of the necessary internet files and these will form part of our investigation.
People who may have seen Mr Whitrick just before his death are being offered counselling, he added. "We are working to ensure that witness support facilities are available tothose who may have been affected by what they saw.
"We also have family liaison officers in place to support Kevin's family atthis difficult time."