Xbox runaway found dead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Canadian boy who ran away from home after his parents confiscated his Xbox has been found dead in a cornfield.
The body of 15-year-old Brandon Crisp was found after weeks of searching areas near his home in Barrie, Ontario.
He had left home on his mountain bike on October 13 after arguing with his parents over his online play of hyper-realistic war game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on his Xbox 360.
Local businesses and Xbox 360 Microsoft put up a C$50,000 reward to help find the runaway.
Police received over 1000 tips.
A Facebook group numbering 22,000 dedicated to finding Crisp was flooded with condolence messages when police announced the body had been found.
After he fled home, snow and cold weather led emergency services to conduct massive ground searches of surrounding areas. The efforts were unsuccessful, with a group of hunters informing police when they found the body in a cornfield adjacent to the search headquarters.
Father Steve Crisp told the Globe and Mail newspaper that his son's behaviour had deteriorated since he started playing the game on Xbox Live. He started wagging school and stealing money, Crisp said.
"This had become his identity, and I didn't realise how in-depth this was until I took his Xbox away,' he told the newspaper. "That's like cutting his legs off.'
Crisp also said that video games taking over kids' lives was "an issue that hits every parent out there."
This article originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald - http://www.nzherald.co.nz
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments