PROVO, Utah — A Spanish Fork man accused of murder in connection with a teen’s suicide has struck a plea deal.
Court records show Tyerell Przybycien, 19, pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony charge of child abuse homicide during an appearance in 4th District Court on Tuesday. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a charge of abuse of a body.
Przybycien will be sentenced on Dec. 7 and faces up to life in prison.
Przybycien was accused of goading Jchandra Brown into suicide last year in Payson Canyon. Utah County prosecutors alleged Przybycien purchased a rope, tied a noose and filmed the girl as she took her own life.
Utah had no assisted suicide law, so prosecutors filed a murder charge against him. After the case was publicized, Rep. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, passed a bill in the Utah State Legislature to have similar crimes fall under manslaughter statutes.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-TALK. Utahns can also visit Hope4Utah and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center for additional resources. You can also download the SafeUT app for instant, confidential crisis services.
