BOSTON

Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texting Suicide Case Resolved

"You keep pushing it off and say you'll do it but u never do. It's always gonna be that way if u don't take action," Carter texted Roy on the day he committed suicide

What to Know

  • A wrongful death lawsuit against Michelle Carter that was filed by Conrad Roy III's family has been resolved.
  • In 2017, Carter, now 22, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Roy's 2014 death. She's currently serving her 15-month sentence.
  • The case shined a spotlight on teenage depression and suicide, and prosecutors revealed disturbing texts between the couple.

The wrongful death lawsuit brought against the Massachusetts woman convicted of sending her suicidal boyfriend a series of text messages urging him to kill himself has been resolved.

Michelle Carter was convicted in 2017 of involuntary manslaughter in the 2014 death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III. The 22-year-old Plainville woman, 17 at the time of Roy's death, began serving a 15-month sentence in February after the state's highest court upheld her conviction, saying her actions caused Roy's death.

Eric Goldman, an attorney for Roy's mother, Lynn Roy, told NBC10 Boston the case has been "resolved" but declined to provide details.

"I can confirm that the case has been resolved and a stipulation of dismissal was filed with the court. I am unable to provide additional information," he said in an email.

Carter's attorneys, who have said they plan to take their client's conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, also refused comment.

Roy, of Mattapoisett, killed himself by filling his pickup truck with carbon monoxide in a Fairhaven parking lot. When he had second thoughts about killing himself, Carter texted him to "get back in" the truck.

The case gained international attention as it shined a spotlight on teenage depression and suicide, as both Carter and Roy struggled with depression.

Prosecutors revealed disturbing text messages during Carter's trial that showed her pushing Roy to end his life and rebuking him when he was reluctant.

"You keep pushing it off and say you'll do it but u never do. It's always gonna be that way if u don't take action," Carter texted Roy on the day he died.

While issuing a guilty verdict in her bench trial, the juvenile court judge emphasized that Carter should have called police or Roy's family instead of telling her boyfriend to get back inside the truck as it was filling with carbon monoxide and listening on the phone as he died.

If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting 'Home' to 741741.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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