A former Boston College student was charged of involuntary manslaughter over her boyfriend's suicide, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced at a press conference.
Inyoung You, a 21-year-old South Korean student, was indicted by a grand jury on Oct. 18 for"physically, verbally and psychologically abusive" to her boyfriend, Alexander Urtula, 22, who committed suicide on the day of his graduation from Boston College, said Rollins.
You's indictment is reminiscent of the headline-grabbing case of Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2017 over the death of her boyfriend, 18-year-old Conrad Roy III. Carter is serving a 15-month sentence after it was revealed that she pushed Roy to end his life over text message and repeatedly chastised him when he hesitated.
"The time is right and you are ready... just do it babe," Carter reportedly wrote in one message.
The district attorney said Monday that You's case is distinct in that she waged "a complete and utter attack on this man's will and conscience and psyche," You sent Urtula more than 47,000 text messages in the last two months of the relationship, including many urging him to "go kill yourself" or "go die", Rollins said. You also tracked Urtula and was nearby when he leapt to his death.
On May 20, Urtula's family was in town from New Jersey to watch him walk across the stage during his graduation from Boston College.
He never made it.
"What appeared to be a self-inflicted horrific tragedy ended up being a lot more than that" when authorities began looking through his cellphone, said Richard Sullivan, superintendent of the Transit Police Department.
School officials said Urtula, a biology major, was a gifted student from Cedar Grove, New Jersey.
He was working as a researcher at a New York hospital after completing his coursework the previous December, said Joy Moore, the interim vice president of student affairs, when she announced Urtula's death.
"While today is a day for celebration, we ask you to take a moment to remember Alexander, his family, and friends in your prayers during this most difficult time," Moore said in May.
Speaking at the press conference on Monday, Rollins said that You "made demands and threats with the understanding that she had complete control" over Urtula. She "in fact was present when" he killed himself, the district attorney added.
The indictment alleges that You's behavior "was wanton and reckless" and that she "created life-threatening conditions" for Urtula.
However, You is in her native South Korea, and it is unclear when she will be arraigned. Prosecutors were in negotiations with You's counsel to get her to return to the US voluntarily, but if she does not, Rollins said, she will start extradition proceedings.
