PARENTS OF EVAN BOETTLER, WHO TOOK HIS LIFE DUE TO INTERNET EXTORTION, WANT OTHER PARENTS TO READ THIS ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH
March 15, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
On January 3, 2024, the Aurora-Marionville Police Department, along with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and medical/fire crews, were dispatched to an Aurora address after a report that a 16-year-old male had apparently attempted to take his own life with a firearm. Life-saving measures were attempted, but to no avail, and 16-year-old Evan Boettler tragically died at the scene.
It is not typical for the Aurora-Marionville Police or the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office to do a press release on suicides, particularly when it involves a juvenile death. However, in this case, Evan’s parents have requested this information be released. Following Evan’s death, the Aurora-Marionville Police Department, in conjunction with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a thorough investigation into Evan’s death. Initially, no typical signs were apparent that Evan was suffering from depression, social or relationship issues, or any obvious struggles in life. A deep review of his electronic devices has now revealed that on January 3rd, just an hour prior to his death, an apparent extortion attempt took place over a social media platform.
Evidence suggests that an individual had contacted Evan over social media, and the person had photos of Evan. This perpetrator attempted to get Evan to send money via the internet in exchange for not releasing the photos to his parents, friends, contacts, and Evan’s community. They placed Evan under extreme pressure to pay this money and made numerous threats if the money was not paid. These events are believed to have taken place only hours before Evan took his own life, presumably believing he had no other way out.
The Aurora-Marionville Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and Evan’s family hope that the release of this information will assist the community and Evan’s friends with not only healing but with encouraging ongoing conversations about online safety and the potential pitfalls of interacting with unknown individuals over various social platforms. Together, we hope this tragedy can spur increased internet safety and also help to encourage a
If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, please call 911 and tell us what’s going on. Call 988 if you feel suicide is the only way out of a situation. Regardless of what has happened, we will work with national and local organizations to clear your name, protect your identity and dignity, and ensure you get through whatever temporary situation you are faced with. Nothing that happens online is worth a life. Call for help; we will help you.
Brad A. DeLay
Sheriff,
Lawrence County Missouri
Obituary for Evan James Boettler
“In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”–Aristotle
Evan James Boettler, 16, of Aurora, passed away tragically at his home on Wednesday
evening, January 3. He was a sophomore at Aurora High School. He was a passionate young
man and outdoor activities took precedence over most others.
He had participated in school sports, track, basketball, wrestling, soccer, Youth Empowerment,
and Student Council. His true heart loved the outdoors, and his favorite place was on the front
deck of a boat, paddling a kayak in search of the next big one, or scouting the woods looking for
the next big buck. Regardless of the activity, he always gave everything he had for success.
He is survived by his parents Brad and Kari (Teague) Boettler, of the home; sister, Sikenan
Boettler, and bonus brother, Valentino Rossi. Grandmother, Melisa Bowman, Aunt Julie (Jerry)
Wendler, Uncle Tim (Angie) Boettler, Uncle Corey (Amanda) Boettler, Aunt Krista Boettler, and
Aunt Kassie (Boo) Nixon. Cousins, Jill (Rudy) Garoutte, Gabrielle Boettler, Keaton Smith,
Greysen Boettler, EJ McCray, Juliana Boettler, Benjamin Boettler, Gretchen Boettler, Kaylann
Bowman, Addilynn Garoutte, Gracie Nixon, Baylor Garoutte, along with a host of extended
families, friends, and acquaintances.
Evan never met a stranger. He believed in being kind, fair, respectful, and supportive of others.
He believed in hard work and giving everything your best. He loved being a Houn’ Dawg and
enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by grandparents James and Cherryl (Ermeling) Boettler, Alan
Teague, and great-grandparents John and Madge(Bowman) Burch, John and Dee (Ermeling)
Nau and Edward “Babe” Ermeling.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 12th, at Aurora High School. Services will
be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 13th, in the AHS gymnasium.
Memorial donations can be made to the Evan Boettler Fund in care of the Community
Foundation of the Ozarks. Checks can be made to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks
and write “Evan Boettler” in the memo. Donations can be dropped off at Aurora High
School/YEP, Pettit Law Office, or First Independent Bank. Tentative plans call for the funds to
be earmarked for local scholarships and events designed to support families and celebrate the
outdoors as a lasting legacy to someone who made such a difference to others.
Donations can also be made directly to the Evan Boettler Fund using the link below and writing
his name in the designated box.
https://cfozarks.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=11860&sorg_id=1002
