Officials investigating possible sextortion case after teen’s death

(Editor’s Note: This story from WBKO-TV discusses a teenager that took his own life.  The teen’s mother now thinks her son was a victim of sextortion.  We encourage all parents of teenagers to read this story and become more aware of this growing crime.)

The family of a Caverna High School student is mourning the sudden loss of their loved one as both federal and local authorities investigate his tragic death.

Elijah Heacock, 16, died on Feb. 28 from a gunshot wound. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances leading to his death.

Photographs on Elijah’s phone suggest he may have been targeted in a sextortion scheme, his mother said.

“I don’t want another mother to ever face this, another sibling, another father to face this,” Heacock said. “I don’t want another school district to face this like we have.”

What is sextortion?

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where predators threaten to share explicit images of victims unless they comply with demands for more photos, sexual acts, or money.

Shannon Heacock, Elijah’s mother, said her family had no knowledge of any warning signs before his death. She said the circumstances surrounding his death developed quickly.

 

Elijah Heacock, 16, is pictured at Caverna High School, where he was a sophomore.(Courtesy of Elijah Heacock's family)

It wasn’t until Elijah Heacock was fighting for his life in the hospital that a series of photos were discovered, indicating that someone had been trying to exploit him.

“They started asking Eli for money,” Heacock said. “This person was asking for $3,000. $3,000 from a child, and now we’re looking at $30,000 to bury our son and medical bills. $3,000

Investigation Underway

The Barren County Sheriff’s Office responded to the hospital on the night of Feb. 27 after being notified of the situation. The BCSO confirmed they are investigating the death but could not provide further comment about other parts of the investigation.

According to Heacock, a sheriff’s detective reviewed Elijah’s phone at the hospital and quickly determined the case should be escalated to the FBI.

WBKO Investigates reached out to the FBI in Louisville for comment, but they declined to confirm or deny whether they are investigating the case, citing their policy of not disclosing ongoing investigations.

The Growing Issue of Sextortion and Legislative Efforts

The increasing threat of sextortion has drawn concern from lawmakers, including those in Kentucky.

A bill introduced in the Kentucky Senate this year seeks to make sexual extortion a crime in the state, establish penalties for those convicted, and include other provisions aimed at addressing the issue.

“This is a problem that our young people and others are facing that is devastating,” said Steve Riley, the state representative for Barren County. “Can you imagine the pain that a parent has to go through in this situation?”

 

Rep. Steve Riley (R), who represents Barren County in Frankfort, speaks during a House debate on a Senate bill aimed at criminalizing sextortion in Kentucky.(KET)

Riley spoke about Elijah Heacock on the Kentucky House floor on March 7, saying he spoke with Shannon Heacock following her son’s death. The bill now heads to Governor Andy Beshear to be signed into law.

“We have to do everything as a body and as a state to deal with this situation,” Riley said. “What kind of lowlife human being would use sexual extortion to devastate another person, both emotionally, mentally, and financially? That’s what we’re dealing with.”

The FBI said the connection between such cases and an “alarming number of deaths by suicide” is growing.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also reports a “dramatic increase” in these types of cases, particularly financial sextortion, where victims are coerced into sending money to the exploiter.

In 2023 alone, the NCMEC received 26,718 reports of financial sextortion, up from 10,731 reports in 2022.

Heacock said she wants those responsible to be held accountable and wants other families to be aware of the dangers of online exploitation.

“We need to look through those phones,” she said. “We need to make sure that they’re safe because there’s monsters out there targeting our babies.”

Community Remembers Elijah Heacock

A compassionate young man, Elijah was recognized as a Hughes and Coleman Hometown Hero in 2023 alongside his twin sister, Palin. He was a champion for his school and most of all, his friends.

 

A tattoo on Shannon Heacock's arm preserves one of the final messages written by Elijah Heacock: "Remember: Never stop being a good person because of bad people."(WBKO)

Whether he was pulling a prank or simply trying to brighten someone’s day, Elijah will always be remembered for his kindness and love for his community, his family said.

“He’d say, ‘Mom, go get some flowers and candy. We need to drive around town and give people smiles,’” Shannon Heacock said.

He was expected to play his first tennis match this spring. Instead, his family and friends said goodbye to him in a heartfelt display of unity.

Several students and staff at neighboring Hart County High School wore purple, Caverna’s school colors, in tribute. Many have shared touching memories of Elijah Heacock on social media.

His life was celebrated at a funeral service in Glasgow on March 6.