Boy, 12, dies by suicide over online sextortion

Mounties in Prince George, B.C., said Monday a 12-year-old boy killed himself in response to online sextortion.

Police said they issued the statement Monday, more than six weeks after the boy shot himself, to warn parents about the dangers to other children.

Officers went to the boy’s home on Oct. 12 and found him with a gunshot wound, police said. Police said the practice of online predators extorting people for money or sexual favours is on the rise.