A teenager has tragically died by way of suicide after being blackmailed by a scammer who created an AI nude photo of him.
Elijah Heacock, of Glasgow in Kentucky - roughly an hour-and-a-half drive from Louisville, was just 16 when he fell victim to a sextortion scam in February after receiving a text from a fraudster.
The schoolboy, known fondly by his friends and family as 'Eli', was allegedly ordered to wire the crook $3,000, on the basis that if he refused he would leak the fake images to those he knew.
On February 28, the teen took his own life, dying in hospital of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Since his death, his mom Shannon Heacock has spoken out stating how local authorities and the FBI believe he was the subject of a sextortion scam.
"Eli was on a good track. We had no reason to believe there was an issue at all. We knew nothing about sextortion or how it works," Eli's dad John Burnett, told ABC News.
Burnett also spoke with CBS News, adding: "The people that are after our children are well organized.
"They are well financed, and they are relentless. They don't need the photos to be real, they can generate whatever they want, and then they use it to blackmail the child."
Eli's mom Shannon was interviewed herself by News Channel 10, where she explained that the scammers asked her son for $3,000 - despite him being a child, and the youngster even sent the wicked con artist what little money he had.
But the initial $3,000 they were demanding escalated for Eli's family, who have since had to fork out $30,000 to pay for Eli's medical bills and subsequent funeral.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up by the family to help with 'mounting bills', while they grieve for their son.
"Our beloved son Elijah Heacock was just 16 years old when we lost him to a devastating act of sextortion. Elijah was our world - the best son, a loving twin, and a cherished brother. He brought so much joy to our family and everyone who knew him," it read.
"He loved his school, playing tennis, spending time with friends, and being part of our community. His kindness and energy touched so many lives, and his absence has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled."
It continued: "As we mourn Elijah, our family has faced overwhelming emotional and financial challenges. The loss of work and the mounting bills have made this time even more difficult. We never imagined we would be in this position, struggling to keep up with everyday expenses, while grieving such a profound loss.
"We are reaching out for support to help us get through these hardships and find some stability as we try to heal.
"We are deeply grateful for any help during this unimaginable time. Your support means more than words can express, and it will help us focus on remembering Elijah and caring for each other. Thank you for standing with us and honoring Elijah’s memory."
