Sun Club
MUM'S AGONY

My son, 14, died doing the same viral challenge that killed Archie Battersbee – I’m heartbroken

A HEARTBROKEN mum has revealed how her son died while attempting the same online challenge that killed Archie Battersbee.

Leon Brown, 14, was found unresponsive in his bedroom in Lanarkshire as friends watched him on Facetime.

Advertisement
Mum Lauryn found Leon unresponsive at home
Mum Lauryn found Leon unresponsive at home
Leon Brown died after taking part in an online challenge

His mum Lauryn Keating has now issued a devastating warning to parents over the viral trend.

The challenge, which The Sun Online is not revealing the details of, is believed to have been attempted by 12-year-old Archie Battersbee.

He died on August 6 when his life support was withdrawn after his mum discovered him unconscious at home in Essex.

Lauryn, 30, told the : "Him and his friends probably thought it was a laugh and a joke. But Leon didn't come back around. It went horribly wrong.

Advertisement

"I had heard of this challenge, because of what happened to Archie. But you don't expect your own child to do it.

"Please warn them, these online challenges aren't worth their lives. They aren't worth 'likes' or whatever they're doing it for."

Lauryn found her son at the family home on August 25.

After his sudden death, she searched for the challenge online and said it was "ridiculous" how many video results came up.

Advertisement

Most read in The Sun

'HUGE BLOW'
BBC presenter steps down due to Alzheimer's as they reveal shock diagnosis
DOUBLE HEARTBREAK
My fiance died on our wedding day, then I found out his sick secret
'HE'S KILLED HER'
Moment mum shot dead at pub by gunman who 'jumped off QE2 bridge'
SQAUNDERFUL WORLD
UK wastes BILLIONS on foreign projects but dithers on defence spending

She has since paid tribute to the teen, who was a pupil at Our Lady's High School in Cumbernauld.

Lauryn said: "He was the happiest, funniest wee boy ever.

"He was a bit of a class clown and he liked to make people laugh.

"Everything was always a joke and a carry on to Leon. He was just a wee cheeky boy. But he meant so much to me."

Advertisement

Archie's mum Hollie Dance previously called on social media giants to take action against the dangerous challenges.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE ONLINE

Internet expert Allison Troutner listed eight ways to keep kids safe online

  1. Consider a family "tech agreement"
  2. Report any harmful content that you see
  3. Balance safety with independence
  4. Keep the computer in a common space
  5. Password-protect all accounts and devices
  6. Update your operating systems regularly
  7. Install security or antivirus software programs and a VPN on your computer
  8. Set parental controls

Find out more about each step this article by The Sun

She believes her son, who died of a brain injury secondary to strangulation, was taking part in the viral trend.

Hollie said: "The social media companies don’t do enough to stop harmful content online.

“It’s out there and people are grooming our children to do these challenges, it’s disgusting.

Advertisement

"The people – they’re often adults, not children – who are demonstrating these challenges are sick.”

machibet777.com
Machibet
WEEKLY 77,777 BDT CASH LUCKY DRAW!
18+ | Play Responsibly | gamblingtherapy.org | T&Cs Apply
  • Huge variety of game types
  • Range of Valuable rewards 
  • Bangladesh’s most trusted online casino
Show More
Welcome to MachiBet and discover a huge range of games, from Baccarat to Roulette to Andar Bahar with live dealers, as well as tons of exciting slot games. MachiBet was founded by a group of passionate sports betting enthusiasts with the goal of providing users with the best gaming experience. Over the years, we have collected and analyzed decades of user feedback to create the ultimate gaming platform for our valued customers.