← Back to United States casesJordan de May Case Involving Danny Roberts, Samuel Ogoshi, and others, Market, Michigan, United States
Case Summary
Jordan de May, a 17-year-old high school senior from Market, Michigan, committed suicide after being targeted in a sextortion scam on Instagram. A fake profile named Danny Roberts contacted him, manipulated him into sending nude photos, and then blackmailed him for money. Despite paying some ransom, the threats escalated, leading Jordan to send a farewell message to his mother before taking his own life with his father's pistol. The investigation revealed the scam was operated by Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, who pleaded guilty to extorting Jordan and many others. The case highlights the dangers of online sextortion and the challenges in combating international cybercrime.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: Michigan, United States
City/Region: Market
Incident Type: Suicide
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration: 1 year
Incident Date: March 25, 2022
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Friends circle
Relationship Stages:
- Dating
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
Red Flags:
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Threats
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
- Mental Health Deterioration / Hopelessness
Motives:
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Fear of exposure
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Suicide/self-harm
- Arrest made
- Investigation still ongoing
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Friends circle
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Dating
1 year
Stages
- Dating
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Threats
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
- Mental Health Deterioration / Hopelessness
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Fear of exposure
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2022-03-25
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Suicide/self-harm
- Arrest made
- Investigation still ongoing
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Jordan de May Case Involving Danny Roberts, Samuel Ogoshi, and others, Market, Michigan, United States
Kati Winter - Germany · Original language: English
View original title
6 Stunden später ist er tot: Die Instagram-Erpressung von Jordan DeMay | Crime Time Doku
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Unknown
Pattern Analysis
The incident centers on a sextortion scam targeting a dating teenager, leading to suicide. While the relationship between Jordan and Kyler was stable, the external criminal exploitation via social media caused fatal distress. The pattern involves online sexual blackmail rather than direct interpersonal relationship conflict.
Investigative Notes
Detective Lowell Larson led the investigation, uncovering the sextortion scam. Meta initially delayed emergency data access, requiring a court order. Nigerian suspects Samuel and Samson Ogoshi were arrested and extradited to the US, pleading guilty in 2024. The case highlights challenges in international cybercrime and social media company responsibilities.
Investigation Confusion
Initial confusion about the cause of Jordan's suicide due to lack of mental health issues or farewell note. The sextortion scam was only revealed after investigation and data access. The fake profile and international scam network complicated identification.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Jordan received a message from a fake Instagram profile, was manipulated into sending nude photos, and blackmailed for money. Despite paying, threats escalated, leading to his suicide. Investigation traced the scam to Nigerian brothers operating a network of hacked accounts. The timeline from initial contact to suicide spanned six hours.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to online exploitation, mental health deterioration, and lack of protective measures against sextortion scams. The victim's young age and social media exposure increased vulnerability.
Key Takeaways
Sextortion scams pose severe risks to young social media users. Early detection and rapid data access by authorities are critical. Social media platforms' delayed cooperation can hinder investigations. Awareness and protective measures are essential to prevent similar tragedies.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The sudden Instagram message from an unknown profile and the demand for nude photos were early signals. The rapid escalation of threats and financial extortion were critical warning signs.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Screenshots of threats, knowledge of Jordan's personal details, and the hacked Instagram profile were key clues connecting the scam to the suspects.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Chat logs, screenshots of threats, bank account screenshots, IP address tracing, and Google search histories of suspects were strongest evidence.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Kyler reported receiving threatening messages and Jordan's cryptic texts. Jordan's parents and friends noted his unusual late-night activity and distress. Detective Larson's team observed inconsistencies at the scene.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up reports revealed the international scam network behind the fake profile and the arrest and guilty plea of the Nigerian suspects. Initial assumptions of spontaneous suicide were revised to include sextortion as the cause.
What remained unclear?
The full extent of the scam network and all accomplices remain unclear. The responsibility of social media companies in preventing such crimes is still under legal scrutiny.