Michelle Carter Sued for $4.2 Million in Wrongful Death Following Conrad Roy's Suicide

Update: The wrongful death case brought against Michelle Carter was dismissed on April 9, 2019 according to The Boston Herald. The case was dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning Conrad Roy’s mother, Lynn Roy, who filed the suit, cannot sue again for the same claim. Carter began her 15-month sentence on Feb. 11, 2019. 

Earlier this week, Michelle Carter received a two-and-a-half-year sentence for her role in the suicide of her boyfriend Conrad Roy III, who died in 2014. Now, the 20-year-old faces a $4.2 million wrongful death civil suit filed by Roy’s mother Lynn Roy, BuzzFeed News reports.

Carter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in June after text messages revealed she had urged Roy to kill himself and had done nothing to help her boyfriend, who had confided he was feeling suicidal.

Carter was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison, 15 months of which she must serve and the rest suspended followed by probation. Carter’s sentence is currently on hold, pending the outcome of her appeal.

An attorney for the Roy family told MassLive on Friday that Roy’s parents hope to use any money gained from their suit to memorialize their son’s life. “The family would obviously rather have their son back,” he added.

When a person’s death makes its way through the national news cycle, it can be tough for people who’ve experienced suicidal thoughts, have attempted suicide or have lost someone to suicide to watch a story like this unfold.

In the light of this week’s news, here are five things you should remember in the wake of the Michelle Carter verdict. 

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

Header image via Glenn Silva/Fairhaven Neighborhood News, Pool.