Alabama man, heartbroken over breakup, kills himself while streaming Facebook Live

An Alabama man took his own life on Tuesday while streaming Facebook Live, apparently after a bitter breakup, according to authorities.

TIME reports that James M. Jeffrey, 49, of  Robertsdale, pointed a gun to his head and pulled the trigger, killing himself almost immediately while shocked viewers witnessed the ordeal. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, a woman contacted them after Jeffrey stopped answering her calls. The woman said that they were in the process of a breakup when Jeffrey suddenly stopped talking to her and refused to answer his phone.

At around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, police arrived at Jeffrey’s home and found him dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Several others who witnessed the shooting phoned the police as well. The Facebook Live video was seized as evidence. It has already been viewed around 1,000 times.

The incident marks yet another instance in which someone used Facebook Live to record their own death. Earlier this year in January, a 14-year-old girl, Naika Venant, hanged herself while streaming it live. By the time authorities arrived to help her, it was too late.

Aspiring actor,  Frederick Jay Bowdy, also took his life in January while streaming the incident on Facebook Live. According to authorities, the father of six shot himself in the head after he was accused of sexual assault just days prior.

If you are contemplating suicide or suspect that someone is suicidal, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Counselors are always available to talk.

The latest Facebook Live suicide is still under investigation. Check back with Crime Online as additional information becomes available.

[Feature Photo: Facebook]