South Carolina Police Find Body of Missing 16-Year-Old Boy

Police said the body of missing teen Logan James, 16, had been found. Greer Police Department

Police in South Carolina have announced that a missing 16-year-old boy has been found dead.

Officials with the Greer Police Department said on Wednesday, May 15, that the body of Logan James had been found, according to Fox Carolina.

The boy’s disappearance was announced by police on social media on Tuesday, along with a request for the public’s help in locating the vulnerable teen.

Police cited in the report said the teen’s death likely occurred around 11 p.m. Tuesday after being struck by a train.

Officials cited by WSPA said the boy had made threats of self-harm.

James’s friends contacted the police around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving a final message from him on social media.

“The Greer Police Department’s thoughts and prayers are with the family of Logan James,” Lt. Patrick Fortenberry said, according to WSPA.

Police said they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death.

Suicide Prevention

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

If you or someone you know is showing signs that they might be considering suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 800-273-TALK or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Texts can also be sent to The Crisis Text Line at 741741.

The best way to help a loved one who seems at risk of suicide is to help them seek out professional help.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are many psychiatric symptoms indicating a risk of suicide.

Below are 5 general indicators to be aware of, as reported by The Epoch Times’ Catherine Bolton:

1. Self-Harming Behavior

One of the clearest warning signs that someone is battling with suicidal thoughts is evidence of self-harm.

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This may not always come in a clear form. Visible cutting is usually an easy-to-spot sign of self-harm, but it’s not always done as a cry for help. For some, actions like cutting or other forms of physical self-abuse are done in an attempt to distract from mental anguish by replacing it with a manageable, more distracting form of physical pain. If a loved one is trying to transfer their pain from their brains to their bodies, they may fear judgment more than the risk that self-harm can cause—and in those cases, the self-harm is often hidden.

Keep an eye out for anything that seems physically amiss. If a loved one starts to cover their body with sweaters and long pants, particularly if it seems out of character or season, or they seem to be concealing something, it may be time to have a talk about what’s causing the changes.

2. Anti-Social Attitudes

Suicidal thoughts and a decision to die may not mean that a loved one has stopped caring about others, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t withdraw from their families and friends as they contemplate the end of their lives.

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Depression can cause a myriad of mental distortions. As one author wrote, even the periods of time when the “fog lifted” made it difficult to tell whether their depressed state or uplifting state was their true reality; they never knew whether their depression was their mind lying to them or their cheerful periods were all just a ruse.

When a loved one is planning to commit suicide, they often stop spending time with others. That may be due to the exhaustion caused by their depression, but could also be their way of trying to ease the heartbreak that they know their death will cause others. Suicide, as described by patients with depression, isn’t wanting to die—rather, it’s not wanting to be alive anymore. So when someone starts to pull away, try to reach out and keep them engaged. Don’t let them forget about their will to live.

3. Violent Mood Swings

The chemical imbalances in the brain that cause severe depression and suicidal behavior can cause more than just feelings of hopelessness. In some cases, they can also cause periods of mania, so keep an eye out for extreme highs and lows.

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Most people associate depression with only anti-social attitudes and sad, withdrawn behavior, but manic-depressive disorders can be just as harmful to an individual’s mental state—and can often cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors when a loved one is experiencing a period of severe lows after experiencing great highs.

If a loved one seems to be acting out of character—spending a lot of money, taking risks you wouldn’t normally expect from them, or bouncing between ideas aggressively—and then going through periods of withdrawal in between, don’t simply assume they’re acting quirky. They could be dealing with manic depression, or they could simply be trying their best to pull themselves out of the depression by aggressively seeking out joy. The chemical imbalances that cause these behaviors aren’t something a loved one can overcome on their own, and they’ll need your help to identify the problem and seek professional help before they harm themselves.

4. Impulsive Actions

Be wary of impulsive choices when a loved one isn’t prone to those kinds of behaviors. There can be multiple reasons that a suicidal loved one starts to act impulsively. Sometimes, it is related to a manic episode, which is always a red flag.

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Other times, though, it can be caused by the absence of fear that a suicidal individual experiences. They may want to spend their money before they die, or give someone a gift. They may want to experience things that they had always been too afraid to, or they may be desperately seeking out a way to feel happy again.

Whether a loved one is no longer afraid of consequences or trying to find their way out of the darkness, always keep an eye out for behaviors that appear to be out of the ordinary. If a meticulous planner starts to fly by the seat of their pants, it may be time to sit them down and talk.

5. Reckless Decision-Making

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If a loved one starts to drink a lot, take illegal drugs, or participate in other reckless or impulsive behaviors, keep in mind that this can be just as obvious a warning sign of suicidal thoughts as a mopey teenager or locked bedroom door.

There can be other factors that cause someone to behave recklessly, but there’s rarely a good reason behind this kind of change. Even if a loved one isn’t contemplating suicide, they’ll almost certainly benefit from hearing from you if they’re engaging in dangerous, reckless behaviors like this.

Disclaimer: The above information about suicide prevention is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Epoch Times reporter Catherine Bolton contributed to this article.