German man arrested for allegedly driving American teen girl to die by suicide, prosecutors say

October 24, 2026 / 1:26 PM EDT / CBS/AFP

German police, acting on an FBI tip-off, arrested an alleged online sadist accused of driving a 14-year-old U.S. girl to hang herself, prosecutors said Friday.

The 18-year-old German was arrested in Hamburg on Thursday, accused of being the indirect perpetrator of murder and grievous bodily harm.

FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O'Malley said in a statement that their office worked with the Fort Wayne Police Department to provide information to the German police to help advance the arrest. The Fort Wayne Police Department said in a statement that its Homicide Unit identified a suspect who contributed to the juvenile's death.

"Anyone who targets or exploits a child should understand this: There is no safe haven from justice. It doesn't matter where you live or where you try to hide. The FBI will work with our partners around the world to find you and hold you accountable," O'Malley said.

The suspect was linked to an online group called "Nefarious Maniac Kult" or "NMK," part of a global network known by the labels "764" or "COM," the Hamburg public prosecutor's office said.

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Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/