Marol boy’s death: Did video game addiction trigger suicide?

Killing myself is the only option, or else I die suffering". This was a 14-year-old boy's last message to a friend before allegedly jumping off the terrace of his building in Marol. The incident occurred on June 30 at the posh Vasant Oasis. The boy was studying in the United States and had come here with his mother and sister on June 2 on vacation. He never spoke to anyone in the building," said the watchman of the society.

An officer attached to the MIDC police station said, "The boy had jumped from the terrace of building number 24, which has 22 storeys. The society members could not identify the body as his face was not familiar to anyone. Finally, the mother identified the body late at night after we showed his photo to everyone in the building." Investigation revealed that the boy was suffering from depression and was addicted to playing games online. "We found a game on his phone and we have sent the device for detailed forensic analysis," said a police officer.

DCP Datta Nalawade told mid-day that the boy was depressed and had sent messages to his friends expressing his desire to take his life. "He had sent a text message to some of his friends in which he mentioned taking some extreme step. During our investigation, we found out that the boy did not venture out of the house without wearing a face mask and frequently washed his hands." The family of the deceased suspect no foul play and is in shock.

June 30
Day incident occurred