Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower lit up in memory of suicide victim

The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth has been lit up in memory of a teenager who took his own life after being drawn into a “sinister” pro-suicide community online.

Vlad Nikolin-Caisley’s father Graham Caisley told the BBC they chose to illuminate the tower because it was the place Vlad had visited the “last time he was out with his family”.

Vlad, from Southampton, was 17 when he secretly joined the website and purchased a poisonous chemical online – which he swallowed at home, where lengthy attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Mr Caisley explained the colour teal was chosen to match the logo of a mental health support organisation established in his son’s memory.

“The colour teal is also a symbol of hope and emotional wellbeing,” he added.

Vlad’s family revealed the details of his death in a BBC Documentary in February in the hope of raising awareness of the dangers faced by children and vulnerable people online.

Vlad had been diagnosed with autism, depression and anxiety.

The government previously said it would tighten up laws that allow people to buy drugs online that can be used to take their own lives following Vlad’s death and the death a 21-year-old woman, also from Southampton.

Last month, a 29-year-old woman was arrested in connection with Vlad’s death.

The woman, from Merton, London, was held on suspicion of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story you can find information and support on the BBC Action Line website.