I noticed in this item today that a heartbreaking story of loss has finally seen some measure of justice. Two years after 17-year-old Ryan Last from Morgan Hill took his own life, four individuals in Côte d’Ivoire have been arrested for their roles in an international scheme that targeted thousands of victims across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Ryan was a remarkable young man – a straight-A student working on his Eagle Scout project, a second-degree black belt, and active in FFA. His life held such promise. After being contacted by someone he believed was a young woman, Ryan was manipulated into sharing intimate photos. When he did, he was immediately hit with blackmail demands. Hours later, overwhelmed by fear and shame, he took his own life, leaving behind a note apologizing for “not being smarter.” What strikes me most profoundly is Ryan’s mother Pauline Stuart’s recollection of his note. “To him, he wasn’t smart because he fell for this scam. He believed in somebody and that devastates me that he felt that he wasn’t smart because somebody took advantage of him.” As Christians, we recognize the deep spiritual battle that occurs in moments of such overwhelming despair. The enemy comes “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), and in Ryan’s final moments, the lie that his mistake defined his worth seems to have prevailed over the truth of his inherent value as God’s creation. Scripture reminds us that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Ryan’s tragic story can remind us how the enemy works through shame and isolation to separate us from hope. As a faith community, we must create spaces in churches where young people can bring their mistakes, shame, and fears without judgment. We must teach them that their identity and worth come not from their actions or others’ opinions, but from being beloved children of God. And we must be vigilant in protecting our youth from those who would exploit them.
The Christian Association for Survivors of Suicide Loss, Inc. (suicideloss.org) provides support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide through support groups and church support. If you are in crisis, dial 988 or 911 for assistance.
