My son killed himself after falling for an online scam. I heard it happen – and vowed to protect other children
Gavin Guffey was 17 when he was targeted by a ‘sextortionist’ on Instagram. His father Brandon has spent four years fighting for justice, and for social media companies to do more to safeguard young users What were the last words Brandon Guffey said to his son Gavin? Four years on, he still struggles with this question. “That last exchange, it bothers me constantly,” he says. “I think I said, ‘Goodnight, buddy. I…
Key points
- Gavin Guffey, 17, died by suicide in July 2022 after an Instagram sextortion scam.
- His father, Brandon Guffey, has since become a South Carolina state representative and online safety advocate.
- A suspect, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, was extradited from Nigeria in January 2025 and pleaded not guilty.
Brandon Guffey's 17-year-old son Gavin died by suicide in July 2022 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, after falling for an online sextortion scam on Instagram. The scammer, using the handle BellaJanet28, demanded money and threatened to share intimate photos with Gavin's contacts.
Guffey, who had just won the Republican ticket for the state's House of Representatives, heard the fatal gunshot from the bathroom. He has since become a leading advocate for child online safety and a South Carolina state representative.
Legislative and advocacy work
A year after Gavin's death, South Carolina passed "Gavin's Law," making sextortion a felony and mandating education about it in schools. Last year, Guffey won further reforms requiring social media companies to activate safety features for users under 16 in the state, including parental permission and bans on infinite scroll and automatic video playback.
Guffey founded a non-profit, Less Than 3, to campaign on these issues and support affected families. He has also written a book, Tomorrow Needs You, about his experience.
When Gavin died, I made a vow that his death would not be meaningless.
— Brandon Guffey
Investigation and legal proceedings
The FBI and South Carolina law enforcement investigated BellaJanet28. In January 2025, the suspect Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal was extradited from Nigeria. He pleaded not guilty to charges including child exploitation resulting in death, cyberstalking and coercion. A pretrial is scheduled for December.
Guffey said the investigation was "like holding my breath underwater." The breakthrough came through bank verification numbers that traced financial transactions linked to the account.
