Inyoung You, South Korean woman charged in US college boyfriend’s suicide, sent him 47,000 text messages in two months before his death
- US prosecutors said Inyoung You verbally, physically and psychologically abused Alexander Urtula during their 18-month relationship
- She has returned to South Korea and prosecutors are exploring options for her to come back to the US
A former Boston College student who had “complete and total control” over her boyfriend has been indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge for encouraging him to take his own life, Boston’s top prosecutor said.
Inyoung You, 21, was “physically, verbally and psychologically abusive” to fellow Boston College student Alexander Urtula during an 18-month relationship, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said at a news conference on Monday.
You sent Urtula, 22, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, more than 47,000 text messages in the last two months of the relationship, including many urging him to “go kill yourself” or “go die”, Rollins said. You also tracked Urtula and was nearby when he leapt to his death in Boston on May 20, the day of his Boston College graduation.
“Many of the messages display the power dynamic of the relationship, wherein Ms You made demands and threats with the understanding that she had complete and total control over Mr Urtula both mentally and emotionally,” Rollins said.
You isolated Urtula from friends and family and was aware of the depression and suicidal thoughts brought on by her abuse, the district attorney said.
You is in her native South Korea, and it is unclear when she will be arraigned. Prosecutors were in negotiations with You’s counsel to get her to return to the US voluntarily, but if she does not, Rollins said, she will start extradition proceedings.
One option, she said, could be an Interpol “red notice”, which would alert the international policing organisation’s 194 member nations, including South Korea, of the US warrant for You’s arrest and request that she be detained and extradited.