Brandon Vedas aka "Ripper" / The Live Chatroom Suicide Of Brandon Vedas

Tragedy in a Chatroom

January 12th 2003 a young College Student by the name of Brandon Vedas, age 21 died from an overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol. We know this happens every day and it is always sad when it does. Why is this case different than the others? Because it took place while Brandon was on his computer in a chatroom on Efnet called #shroomery. A full channel watched Brandon on his webcam take pill after pill washing it down with alcohol chasers. " I told u I was hardcore" he says to the voyeurs watching him. Some warned him to be careful. Others taunted him to go further. "That's not much," said a teenager from rural Oklahoma who calls himself Smoke2K. "Eat more. I wanna see if you survive or if you just black out."

Brandon Vedas, AKA "ripper,"

On January 12, 2003, Brandon Vedas, AKA "ripper," died of a massive overdose of prescription drugs while onlookers cheered him on in an IRC chat room.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Brandon, and to the education and prevention of future tragedies. Despite all his knowledge, Brandon made some poor choices that night. Like many addicts, he hid his abuse from many who could help. Like many who struggle with drugs, he thought he was always in control. Like many who fall into the dark world of serious narcotics, he thought it was all a game that he could always beat. Tragically, this time he lost.


Brandon Carl Vedas, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed - away January 12, 2003.
Brandon loved life and always tried to live it to the fullest. Whether online or in person, Brandon had his own unique way of doing things. He will be greatly missed by his mother and stepfather, Nancy and Oliver Russell, his father and stepmother, Richard and Deborah Vedas, his 2 brothers, Richard and Brett, his 2 sisters, Valerie and Jill, his stepbrother, Sean, and a friend that did so much to help him, Glenn Laucus. A special service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 10 AM at South Mountain Park, Ramada 4. Brandon will always be remembered by his family, friends, and the online communities he was involved with.
Published in The Arizona Republic on 1/16/2003.

These are the actual log's of the IRC chatroom the night of Brandon's suicide. I'll warn you that it is kind of creepy and even a little morbid reading them... BJC

Log 1

Log 2

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.