Bridgend suicides 'not part of cult'
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.Police insisted yesterday that the suicides of two cousins from Bridgend are not linked to 14 similar cases in and around the Welsh town over the past year.
They also dismissed suggestions that the latest deaths were part of a cult spread via the internet. Detectives said the cases of Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, and Kelly Stephenson, 20, who both died on Friday, were being treated as "non-suspicious".
The police inquiry came as Welsh Assembly politicians appealed for calm. Labour Assembly member Carwyn Jones said: "The idea that there's a link here, or an internet cult, is absolute nonsense... people are angry about the way the town has been portrayed."
Nathaniel was found hanged but still alive at his home in the Cefn Glas area of Bridgend on Wednesday night. He died on Friday. Kelly was later found hanged in a bathroom, hours after being told her cousin was "unlikely to pull through".
The Samaritans' 24-hour helpline: 08457 90 90 90
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments