games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Thirteen-year-old kills himself after being told he could not play Wii photo

In an example of teenagers taking just about everything on earth much more seriously than necessary, thirteen-year-old Jake Roberts made a fatal choice to take his own life after an argument with his father and sister. The reason? Jake wanted to play his brand new Wii, acquired with his birthday money (his birthday had been a few days prior). He then retreated to his room, where he was found hanged by his own school uniform tie a few hours later.

His father commented on the incident:

The first thing I saw when I walked in to Jake's bedroom was all the paper he had ripped up on the floor during his tantrum.

The door was open with his bed to my left behind the door. I was going to tell him off when I turned. It took me a few seconds to register what I was seeing.

His school tie was round his neck and he was hung from his cabin bed. I tried to lift him and his tie was attached to a bar on the bed.

If someone casually told me that a kid killed himself because he couldn't play the Wii, I might laugh, because it sounds like a joke. Reading the real details, however, I find my laughs have pretty much dried up. I don't think it has a thing to do with the Wii itself, but I have no doubt tragedies like this will only provide more ammo for anti-games activists. 

[Via Daily Mail -- Thanks, Jonathan]


Continue: More wii stories





prev 50 comments
next 50 comments

211 comments | showing # 51 to 100

JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:07
JACK of No Trades
RonBurgandy2010 & at everybody mad at Bruce


Shut the Hell up! The kid is a fucking retard and loser for killing himself over a Wii. Everybody should laugh at people when they do stupid ass shit like this. Its dumb to feel sad.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:08
RonBurgandy2010
@ Chicken008 And clothes in general. Sorry, but I just couldn't help myself.
Brilliam's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:08
Brilliam
The fact that this happened doesn't mean he's stupid, it means he had serious problems that were not addressed in time. If you can't differentiate between those two things then you certainly suffer from one of them, Woocifer.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:09
eternalplayer2345
What a tragedy, my condolences go out to the family. It's nothing but coincidence that the wii was involved witht his incident, obviously the wii was a trigger to something more deep rooted in the young man minds. I think one of the greatest travesties in today's society is how often are youth see suicide as way out when they no doubt have barely begun to live.
ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:09
ThunderHeartXI
@RonBurgandy2010

Stop being a fag and keep your zealot opinions to yourself, please.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:10
JACK of No Trades
Ron

Why do you show so much sympathy for idiots? Why does this kid deseve such sympathy?
ceark's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:12
ceark
I hate reading news like this. it gives me the impression that the human population is getting dumber by the day. ugh.
Brilliam's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:12
Brilliam
Because he was a kid? And probably had mental health issues?
ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:12
ThunderHeartXI
@ceark

Because it is, sir.
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:13
RonBurgandy2010
@ JACK of No Trades I'm not sad for the kid, I'm sad for the family. They must be going through a fucking ordeal. Have you ever lost a family member? When my mom died, the first person I blamed was myself. And I was 10, so I didn't have the rational thought that it was not my fault. Also, the fact that it was totally unexpected was horrible too. So thanks for making me relive that man, it's truly a happy place. I feel for the family on a personal level.
Tovan51's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:13
Tovan51
Yeah, god forbid there's human sympathy anymore in the world, especially for a kid who was obviously troubled by some other than the Wii, and was pushed over the edge without his parents even realizing.
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:13
blehman
@ThunderheartXI

I GUESS THAT'S WHY HE DIDN'T MOVE AROUND ALOT.

And I agree with JACK. Everyone who's getting butt-hurt by "insensitive" comments on a blog, please squat down and shake the sand from your vaginas. Everyone has a different opinion on things, please refrain from mentioning if it's different from yours and is wrong. Also, also, it's not like the kids family is going to read this.
Rucksack's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:14
Rucksack
Everyone making derogatory statements, please grow-up just a tad.

The kid did not intend to kill himself over a video game. Not only was it labeled an accidental death, but the kid already had a history of strange behavior.

Please read the actual article and stop jumping to conclusions and making ridiculous statements!
908peruvian's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:15
908peruvian
parents suck. it was his special day and his sister takes the tv and his parents take him to buy a game then DENY him the right to play it WTF

and he's a kid of course hes gonna react crazy.
but thats what parents are for.right?

if he flipped before of course, they shouldve known.

oh sorry i forgot you call your parents by their first name since you were 6.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:16
JACK of No Trades
Ron

I've been through plenty of terrible shit too, but it only makes you stronger. Don't be so sensitive. Sorry
13thDragon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:18
13thDragon
Snake?

SNAKE?!

SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:18
ThunderHeartXI
This is going to turn out with Colette scolding us again. This makes me :(
Projectexodus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:19
Projectexodus
Well, It was an extremely trivial thing to kill yourself over. But then again the guy had a history of tantrums from before. Combine this with hormones and you got yourself an unstable 13 year old.

I think he never meant to kill himself, I think he just wanted attention because he felt he was unfairly treated, and probably hoped that his dad or something would come running upstairs just in time to stop him.

Remember, it rarely matters how intelligent you are when you're in puberty.
nintendoll's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:19
nintendoll
I think this kid might have had a slight mental disability. Having temper tantrums after the age 5 or so usually means the child has some sort of serious problem, or the parents are doing a bad job.

I have mixed feelings. While I feel like this is indeed a tragedy, I also believe that suicide is the most selfish thing you can possibly do. So I'm not really sure how to feel.
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:19
blehman
Oh. I read the article, and NOW I know why he hung himself.

Autoerotic asphyxiation. He was just trying to work off the aggression the fun way.
007's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:20
007
LOL
ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:21
ThunderHeartXI
Also, does this remind anyone of a certain internet meme?
exodus1925's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:22
exodus1925
And the Darwin award goes to...
Brilliam's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:22
Brilliam
@blehman,

Yeah, everyone has different opinions on things. And some are more ignorant than others. The so-called "insensitive" posts are ignorant because they write him off as someone who may have had a very poor life due to illness or unknown abuse or any other host of other things. We can't ASSUME any of these, but by being insensitive you are assuming the opposite, which is that he was simply an able-minded, selfish, trivial idiot.

Believe what you want but if you're wrong I'll say it, that's all.
007's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:23
007
OK, I just read the article... and now I feel like a dick. Seems the kid had a pretty promising future too.


Just kill me now, guys.
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:23
Tubatic
Damn.

I'm certainly sorry for the family. In the case of suicide, I believe there must have been more than the incidents immediately prior to a person's death that really caused that course of events. Unfortunate decision making, on many people's parts, are likely to have culminated in this, and its hard to place blame in any one direction.

@Rucksack
Good point. Its hard to get a good bead on a situation when its filtered through blogsites. While a lot of comments can make sense in the context of the blog post, they can go off as very innaccurate or callous when the source article is considered. As it often isn't.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:24
JACK of No Trades
Brilliam

So......why should we be sympathetic?

If he did have a mental condition then the "parents" should have kept a better eye on him. So its the parents faults also.
Coonskin05's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:24
Coonskin05
"Everyone has a different opinion on things, please refrain from mentioning if it's different from yours and is wrong"

Think about what you just said Mike. You want people from the Internet to not bitch about their differences in belief. C'mon man, you know better than that.

Anyways, I am actually in the more sympathetic group, I think this is really fucked up. I mean, don't get me wrong, I made a joke about Carlin in IRC no more than 24 hours after he was gone even though I was sad about it, but kids just don't know better sometimes. And he just got it for his birthday. Fucking sad.
moot button's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:25
moot button
The millions of kids that are denied Wii time everyday are just superfluous data. This one kid who obviously had other issues (be they hormonal, chemical, or mental) will become the anti-vg pundits' media darling. This newfangled Wii contraption must be stopped before its blood lust becomes too great. Don't forget it called you fat too!
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:26
blehman
@Brilliam

Like my old drill sergant used to say, Never assume because it just makes an ass out of you and me. Oh, and I don't really mean "don't say anything," I mean at least back up what you're saying with thought out comments. Not "don't be mean guize."
Brilliam's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:26
Brilliam
I didn't say you should be sympathetic, I just said you shouldn't be unsympathetic. If you can't tell the difference take one (1) logic course.
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:27
blehman
@Coon

...yeah. I know. /wris...wait, maybe a suicide joke isn't right here.
robestyles's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:28
robestyles
@13thDragon

Your my hero
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:29
RonBurgandy2010
@ JACK of No Trades ................um.................what?
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:29
brainderailment
Some parents don't give their children enough attention, but instead buy them whatever they want. Occasionally the child will vie for attention any way he/she can. Sometimes it goes awry. I don't believe the boy thought he would actually die. He wanted attention. Also, this dad doesn't seem to be that upset about it. Most people wont talk to the press about an incident like this.
FCUKYeahSEAKING's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:30
FCUKYeahSEAKING
He was such an hero, to take it all away. We miss him so, That you should know, And we honor him this day. He was an hero, to take that shot, to leave us all behind. God do we wish we could take it back, And now he's on our minds. Mitchell was an hero, to leave us feeling like this, Our minds are rubber, our joints don't work, Our tears fall into abyss. He was an hero, to take that shot, In life it wasn't his task, He shouldn't have had to go that way, before a decade'd past. Now he sits there in my heart, this hero of mine, Always there to make me smile, Make me feel just fine. He had courage,that boy did, courage in his heart. To take that shot, To end his pain, To tear us all apart. But in the end, he died in courage. Lacking, nevermore, He died a hero, Mitchell did, And we'll love him forevermore. We love you like a brother. We miss you so much. We will always love you, kid. Rest In Peace Mitch. ~Lila
Drakonikarma's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:31
Drakonikarma
I do not tend to delve into the dialect of the internet but in this instance I think the only thing I CAN say is Face Palm.
ThunderHeartXI's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:31
ThunderHeartXI
@FCUKYeahSEAKING

I see where you came from, sir.
Professor Pew's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:34
Professor Pew
One less emo kid if he grew up. Also one less productive worker for the great nation though. That's what makes me sad...
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:34
RonBurgandy2010
@ FCUKYeahSEAKING And I thought I might have overreacted. Damn. Is there something I'm not getting here?
CCGames Mike's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:35
CCGames Mike
i don't know what's worse: the situation with this poor kid or the fact that, much like a few posters, I too thought immediately of Jake the Snake when I read the name. Though the worst part I think was when I envisioned Jake hanging himself with a pet snake after giving someone a random DDT...
13thDragon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:36
13thDragon
SNAAAAAAAKKKKKKEEEEEE!!!!!!
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:36
eternalplayer2345
@ FCUKYeahSEAKING

No one is calling this kid a hero, I hate it when people call suicide victims like this heroes . The kid was probably deranged. And to take your own life is selfish and even stupid. The people who are showing sympathy for this story is toward the family or the idea that a kid would have to take his life.
c0dek's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:37
c0dek
So is the Wii available? I've been meaning to get my grandma one (she feels bad, being the only old lady in the nursing home without one) but haven't had any luck finding one...
robestyles's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:38
robestyles
Its because Earthquake killed Damien.
heretrix's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:38
heretrix
"He didn't have any particular temper tantrums other than those you would expect from someone who had just become a teenager."

After reading the article, I feel exactly the same way that I did earlier. It was a shitty thing to do to his family, for ANY reason. I feel incredibly bad for his kin.
eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:39
eternalplayer2345
Also, I realize you are being sarcastic Seaking , it still make my blood boil when people take that position.
Mystic Violet's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:41
Mystic Violet
If we're going to take the article for what it is, the kid had some problems with anger and rage. A person like that can overreact to something trivial by doing something stupid (destroying things, hitting people, etc.). You can compare it to a person who hits their spouse: they probably didn't mean to but when their full of anger they lose control (not a good excuse but obviously a reason to get some help).

He probably didn't mean to kill himself but, in the heat of the moment, that's unfortunately how it went down.

Well that's the way I see it anyway. No stable person just decides to kill themselves one day.
FCUKYeahSEAKING's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 12:42
FCUKYeahSEAKING
@13thDragon

LOL
prev 50 comments next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos


    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Echoes review
    Assassin's Creed 2 review
    Crossfire Remote Pistol review
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    more reviews
    Driver
    Avatar
    GT Racing Motor Academy
    Bad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 51203 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing

    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Joseph Leray: Revisited: Gears of War 2, Pinocchio, and masculinity





















    More Destructoid Originals




     Popular now more
    Assassins CreedReview: Assassin's Creed 2
    591 comments + 41542 views
    Destructoid OriginalWhy No More Heroes HD could mean a Wii total victory
    152 comments + 30508 views
    FAILGirl smashes boyfriend's Xbox 360, films it
    160 comments + 16924 views
    BattlefieldBad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    43 comments + 16114 views
    Black FridayBlack Friday: Walmart going nuts with game sales
    31 comments + 16048 views
    Amazon.comBlack Friday: Amazon dropping deals all week long
    16 comments + 15004 views
    Amazon.comAmazon teases its Black Friday sales line-up
    18 comments + 14836 views
    Destructoid OriginalThe tragic history of the videogame turkey
    51 comments + 13276 views
    CapcomHot new SSFIV trailer shows Guy, Cody and Adon in action
    54 comments + 13222 views
    Call of DutyModern Warfare 2 DLC still planned for spring 2010
    27 comments + 12568 views


    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor
    Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor
    Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman
    Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
    Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong

    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online
    seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap
    our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?




    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006