Teen choking craze killed my little boy

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A teen choking craze killed my wonderful boy

Tuesday 05 October 2010

The heart-breaking events of last September changed Joanne Mison’s life forever. The full-time mum was left devastated when her 13-year-old-son Tyler tragically died after a teenage “game” went wrong.

Now motivated by her determination that no other family should endure the same pain, Joanne wants to highlight a sickening fad called the Choking Game that’s threatening teenagers. Joanne firmly believes Tyler was a victim of the game in which teenagers try to get a “rush” by strangulation.

“He was found hanged, but he was not suicidal,” says Joanne, 35. “I’m sure this game killed him. I loved my son so much. He had a heart of gold and was so full of energy. He had a phenomenal brain and was so inquisitive – he had to try everything out for himself.”

It’s believed the Choking Game, also known as Pass Out and Space Monkey, has already claimed the lives of 100 children in America.

The craze has now surfaced in the UKand is the latest game sweeping school playgrounds. Last year, police investigated a report of the fad at Bryn Tawe comprehensive school, Swansea. Pupils held each other in headlocks and competed to see who could last the longest without air and a teenage boy stopped breathing.

Head teacher, David Williams, said the 30-minute wait while the boy was revived was “incredibly tense.” Although there are no official statistics for victims in England, campaigners put the number of deaths at 86, but many believe more Choking Game deaths have been mistaken as suicides.

The day Tyler died started like any other for the Misons – Joanne sent Tyler to tidy his room and he brought down clothes to wash.

TWIC REALIFE
“He’d been chatting to his gran online, then went upstairs. His friends called round and my husband Ben shouted up to him,” recalls Joanne, also mum to Josh, 17, Luke, four, Cydney, three, and Trinity, one. After getting no response, Ben went upstairs and found his stepson’s lifeless body hanging from his bunk bed by a tie.

“When I saw Tyler I started shaking – I was in pure shock. I dialled 999 as Ben tried to resuscitate Ty but I couldn’t take in whatwas happening,” says Joanne from Ipswich.Tyler was pronounced dead soon after arriving at hospital – and his family was left with so many questions.

“My first reaction was that it was suicide, but as quickly as I thought that I dismissed it. There was no way he meant to take his life. My son was so happy. And the police said there was no evidence of bullying or depression.

“He adored his brothers and sisters, too. He was always on the go, but also loved snuggling up with me to watch telly. He was curious and he had ambitions – he wanted to join the Army Cadets,” says Joanne.

Joanne brought up Josh and Tyler on her own after splitting with their father when they were young. When she met Ben Mison online in 2004, her children accepted him with no question.

After a post-mortem reported Tyler’s death was caused by suspension by ligature, the family held a small private ceremony for him. Still reeling after his death, Joanne turned to the internet for answers.

Typing in the words “accidentally hang yourself from a bunk bed,” she found a website about the Choking Game. She discovered a sick fad involving children filming instances where they strangle themselves, or others, in order to achieve an intense “head rush,” then posting the film on YouTube.

Often friends use choke holds, ties or belts on each other until they’re near to collapse. When the oxygen circulation is restored, it can produce a natural high – but it can have devastating consequences.

“As I read the signs of playing this game – bloodshot eyes, marks on the neck and headaches – my stomach lurched. In the month before his death, Ty had had them all,” says Joanne. “I’d put the bloodshot eyes down to hours of playing computer games. And he said the marks were from play-fighting with Josh.”

Closer’s Dr Christian Jessen says: “There’s a huge risk of death with this so-called game. If you apply pressure to a certain part of your neck, your blood pressure drops, making you more likely to black out. And when blood supply is limited, brain damage is occurring.”

Joanne alerted police to her concerns, and they then looked for evidence Tyler might have searched websites or had conversations with friends about the game.

“There was a wall of silence when I asked his friends, so I don’t know if they know anything,” says Joanne. “Maybe they’re scared they’ll get into trouble, but I just want the truth.

“The police didn’t find anything, but Ty could have used someone else’s computer or heard someone at school talking about it.

“I have an overwhelming urge to stop any other family going through what we have
so I want to raise awareness of this craze.”

However, Joanne’s calls that the Government highlight the dangers have been met with opposition as there are fears a campaign would give the practice unwanted publicity.“That doesn’t make sense to me,” says Joanne.

“I want anything online that encourages youngsters to experiment with strangulation games to be taken down.

“I put a tribute to Ty on YouTube. It’s full of pictures of him smiling and messages to tell him how much we miss him. I also warned kids about what they leave behind if this stupid game goes wrong.”

At the inquest into Tyler’s death last week, Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean recorded an open verdict and said:“This death might have been the result of dangerous experimentation. One must highlight the risks to prevent other tragedies.”

Joanne had mixed emotions at the verdict. “I was happy it wasn’t suicide, but would’ve preferred accidental death,” she says.

TWIC REALIFE
In a similar death earlier this year, 13-year-old Harry Robinson was found hanging in his bathroom. Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said at the inquest: “There is clearly national concern about this practice… to say they are dicing with death is an understatement. None of these children intend to kill themselves.”

Now, Joanne will step up her campaign to help other parents recognise the signs before it’s too late.“I’ll do whatever it takes to raise awareness of this evil game. Every day I wake up longing to see Ty’s smiling face and hold him tight. I wouldn’t wish my loss on anyone.”

By Johanna Burrows

What do you think about this dangerous craze?