Digest

This podcast delves into the disturbing story of William Mulcher Dinkel, a nurse who used online forums to prey on vulnerable individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. The story begins with Celia Blay, a retired teacher who discovered a forum called alt.suicide.holiday (Ash) and was shocked by the discussions about suicide. She began posting on the forum, offering support and encouragement, but soon encountered the dark side of the internet. The podcast then focuses on the tragic cases of Mark Dribrar and Naja Kajujee, two individuals who took their own lives after being contacted by Dinkel, who used aliases like Lee Dow and Cammie D. Dinkel provided detailed instructions on how to commit suicide and even made suicide pacts with his victims. Celia Blay, disturbed by these events, began investigating Dinkel's online activity and discovered his pattern of manipulation and exploitation. She contacted other forum members who had been contacted by Dinkel and alerted authorities to his actions. Dinkel was eventually arrested and charged with two counts of advising, encouraging, or assisting suicide. While his conviction was later reversed, he was ultimately found guilty of assisting Mark Dribrar's suicide and attempting to assist Naja Kajujee's suicide. The podcast highlights the dangers of online predators and the importance of suicide prevention. It debunks common myths about suicide, emphasizing that it is preventable and that individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts should seek help.

Outlines

00:01:22

The Dark Side of Online Forums

Celia Blay, a retired teacher, discovers the alt.suicide.holiday (Ash) forum and is shocked by the discussions about suicide. She begins posting on the forum, offering support, but soon encounters the dark side of the internet.

00:19:30

The Victims of Lee Dow

The podcast explores the tragic cases of Mark Dribrar and Naja Kajujee, two individuals who took their own lives after being contacted by William Mulcher Dinkel, who used the alias Lee Dow. Dinkel provided detailed instructions on how to commit suicide and even made suicide pacts with his victims.

00:33:23

Celia's Investigation

Celia Blay, disturbed by the suicide pact between Anna and Lee Dow, begins investigating Lee Dow's online activity. She discovers that Lee Dow is a serial predator who has been encouraging vulnerable people to take their own lives. Celia contacts other forum members who had been contacted by Lee Dow and alerts authorities to his actions.

00:43:05

William Mulcher Dinkel

Celia Blay's investigation leads her to William Mulcher Dinkel, a nurse who has been using multiple aliases to encourage people to commit suicide. He admits to having conversations with dozens of people about suicide and to having made suicide pacts with at least 10 individuals. He is eventually arrested and charged with two counts of advising, encouraging, or assisting suicide.

00:52:40

The Aftermath

The podcast discusses the aftermath of William Mulcher Dinkel's arrest and trial. While his conviction was later reversed, he was ultimately found guilty of assisting Mark Dribrar's suicide and attempting to assist Naja Kajujee's suicide. The podcast highlights the dangers of online predators and the importance of suicide prevention.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the name of the online forum where Celia Blay discovered discussions about suicide?

  The forum was called alt.suicide.holiday, also known as Ash.

• What was the name of the individual who was using multiple aliases to encourage people to commit suicide?

  The individual was William Mulcher Dinkel, a nurse who lived in Minnesota.

• What were some of the aliases that William Mulcher Dinkel used?

  He used aliases such as Lee Dow, Falcon Girl, and Cammie D.

• What was the outcome of William Mulcher Dinkel's trial?

  He was initially convicted of two counts of advising, encouraging, or assisting suicide, but his conviction was later reversed by the Minnesota Supreme Court. He was later found guilty of assisting Mark Dribrar's suicide and attempting to assist Naja Kajujee's suicide.

• What are some of the myths about suicide that the podcast debunks?

  The podcast debunks the myths that suicide can't be prevented, that people who talk about it are simply seeking attention, and that suicides are rarely impulsive.

Show Notes