The Murder of Breck Bednar
Breck Bednar was a 14-year-old boy from Surrey, England. He was a school student and described as relaxed, warm-hearted and passionate about computing. He had three younger siblings; 12-year-old triplets.
Breck's mother noticed a change in his personality and behaviour, she felt it was the negative influence of a person he played video games online with and installed parental controls and forbade Breck from using the same server and the person. In December 2013, Breck's mother called the police with worries her son was being groomed online.
Lewis Daynes, a 19-year-old, was the person Breck was speaking with online. Daynes lived alone in a flat owned by his grandparents and was said to be 'reclusive.'
Despite his mother's warnings, Breck continued to play games with and chat with Daynes online. Daynes eventually persuaded Breck to meet with him in person. On 17th February 2014, Breck travelled to Dayne's flat by taxi. Breck's father noticed he was not missing and contacted the police. Hours later Breck's younger siblings began receiving messages that their brother has been killed and descriptions of pictures of Breck's body. Photos showing Breck's body were also circulating on social media. Police were called to the flat where Breck laid with stab injuries but were unable to prevent him from dying at the scene
Daynes, who looked much younger than 19 and was sometimes referred to as the 'baby-faced killer', was arrested for the murder. Daynes was given a life sentence. The crime was described as cruel, violent and manipulative.
