23-Year-Old imitates 13 Reasons Why and Commits Suicide
Real life copied fiction in Peru when Franco Alonso Lazo Medrano took his own life and left behind recordings, apparently inspired by the breakout Netflix series 13 Reasons Why in Peru.
According to Peruvian news outlet Diario Clarín, the 23-year-old jumped from his apartment—which was on the fourth floor—after shouting, “I can’t stand a heartbreak” with his mother present to witness it all. He survived the fall and was later transported to the San Juan de Dios hospital where he was declared dead.
Police officials found two suicide notes inside his home during the investigation. One was a goodbye note to a loved one named Claudia, wishing her the best, and the other note included instructions with the names of people selected to receive tapes he had previously recorded on his computer. These people were allegedly the ones who caused him to commit suicide.
While it hasn’t been proven that Lazo was inspired by the story of the character Hannah Baker in the series, the style in which Medrano left tapes was very similar to the 13 Reasons Why plot.
Netflix added warnings to the adaptation of author Jay Asher‘s best-selling young adult novel after concerns were raised by psychologists, schools, and parents around the world. Many worried that the series glamorised suicide and could inspire kids to imitate.
“There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series, 13 Reasons Why. While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting an important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories,” said Netflix in a statement. “Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to start the series.”
If you, or anyone you know are suffering from mental illness, contact Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636, or visit their site here.
This article originally appeared on PEOPLE.