GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: Mandie Reusch, a 35-year-old mother, is accused of driving her ex-boyfriend, Kevin Metzger, 37, to take his own life through a series of distressing text messages. Now, suicide prevention advocate Leeann Sherman has suggested that Reusch may have derived a sense of power from cyber-bullying, leading to her alleged actions.
Who is Mandie Reusch?
Reusch, a resident of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, reportedly engaged in a pattern of threatening behavior towards Metzger, including threats to withhold their child, sending him a sex tape featuring her new boyfriend, and outright telling him to kill himself six times over a 13-month period. In one message, according to an arrest affidavit, Reusch wrote, "I hope for [the child's] sake that you do kill yourself. She would be better off not even knowing you." Another text allegedly stated, "Kill yourself. I mean it. I actually want you to kill yourself because I think you are the worst person on this planet."
Reusch was initially charged with aiding suicide and harassment, but the latter was dismissed. "We believe that the aiding the suicide should be dismissed as well, but not at this juncture," stated Reusch's attorney Phil DiLucente after the judge dismissed the harassment charge in magistrate court.
Who was Kevin Metzger?
Kevin Metzger, a United States Army veteran who served for almost 20 years, was remembered as a dedicated father and a selfless friend. According to his obituary, he enjoyed a range of outdoor activities, including snowboarding, biking, kayaking, and hiking. "He enjoyed a good time but was always there for his friends in tough times," the obituary states. "He was a selfless and dedicated friend. Above all though, he passionately cared for his daughter, Salem. He was a devoted father, and she was an extreme light in his life."
Leeann Sherman, president and CEO of the American Association of Suicidology, offered her expert opinion on the case. "It can be that there is a mental illness where the person can't consciously understand right from wrong," she told The Sun, which noted that Reusch's behavior was similar to teenage bullies who target people online. "What you also find a lot of times, though, is that people like to have that power. They're drawn by the power. That is power over someone. That is being able to push someone to a limit." Sherman added, "There's a big difference between insulting someone and telling them to end their life. Neither one of them is correct, but what we're finding is the people who take that to the next level are persons who exude the want and need to be more powerful than everyone else."
Similarities to Michelle Carter
The case bears similarities to that of Massachusetts resident Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2014 for convincing her boyfriend, Conrad Roy, to take his own life through a series of text messages. Sherman highlighted the "continuous devaluing" of the victims' lives in both cases.
Metzger's military service adds another layer of complexity to the tragedy. Some of the alleged abuse occurred while he was attending a military training camp. According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, veterans were 57% more likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. Sherman attributed this alarming statistic to the traumatic experiences veterans often face while deployed and the challenges they encounter when reintegrating into civilian life. That said, Reusch has been released from custody after posting $150,000 bail, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 30 in Westmoreland County District Court.
