Illustration of dogpiling, a form of cyber harassment, Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/23963249@N02/2314383724, Author J_O_I_D (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
WARNING: Graphic Images
Bianca Devin’s, a 17 y.o. online influencer with a small following, was brutally murdered in 2019 by a fan with whom she had become familiar [1]. Her murderer, Brandon Clark, researched beforehand the “best” ways to kill people and livestream the event [2].
Suffering from anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD, Bianca reached out for friends online, but was harassed by “incels” – an online subculture of aggrieved and angry men who despise and revile women because they are unable to make a romantic connection [3][4][5].
That was not the end of the tragedy. Bianca’s death went viral, with graphic images of her body circulating online for years. The murder was discussed on social media in offensive and misogynistic terms. Bianca’s family members were repeatedly exposed to bloody images of their daughter, as well as being told she deserved to die.
The Devins family ultimately lobbied for the passage of a law protecting families against this type of violation [6]. “Bianca’s Law”, as it is known, makes it a crime in New York to post graphic personal images online of those involved in traumatic situations, and creates a private right of action for victims [7].
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[1] Wikipedia, “Murder of Bianca Devins”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Bianca_Devins.
[2] Syracuse, “More horrific details come out in Bianca Devins murder that was shared online to the world” by Elizabeth Doran, 2/14/20 (updated 11/7/23), https://www.syracuse.com/crime/2020/02/more-horrific-details-come-out-in-bianca-devins-murder-that-was-shared-online-to-the-world.html.
[3] Wikipedia, “Incel”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incel.
[4] Syracuse, “How Bianca Devins, Brandon Clark moved in online worlds of vanity and abuse”, 7/17/19 by Patrick Lohmann and Samantha House, https://www.syracuse.com/crime/2019/07/bianca-devins-online-vanity-harassment-and-memes-shaped-victim-and-suspects-identities.html.
[5] These men do not seem to realize a major reason they cannot make a romantic connection may be they are so hate-filled.
[6] YouTube, “Crime Weekly News: Kim Devins Discusses Bianca’s Law”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkFNO90mrXw.
[7] Spectrum News 1, “Hochul signs ‘Bianca’s Law’, making illegal posting of graphic images of crime victims online” by Luke Parsnow, 12/30/22, https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2022/12/30/hochul-signs–bianca-s-law—making-illegal-posting-graphic-images-online.
Part 2 in this series will be posted next week.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
So New York’s legislature finally did SOMETHING right.😉
That a law had to be passed to prevent the posting of such an horrific crime speaks volumes about where we are as a society. Though I had not heard of this until now, I grieve for this family.
So right.
Shocking. What a tragedy and that it was exploited by social media makes it all the more tragic! We need laws governing privacy and social media while at the same time making sure our freedoms are not curtailed. A delicate balance, needing wise heads when these are in short supply.
Too true.
Pingback: Cyber Harassment and the Death of Bianca Devins, Part 1 – NarrowPathMinistries
I glad that law passed. We need to protect our women.
Thank you for your kind sentiment.