Autistic Teen Exploited by Neo-Nazis in UK Radicalization Case, Dies by Suicide at 16

In a disturbing case in Britain, teenager Rhianan Rudd, a young autistic girl accused of planning a terrorist attack at a synagogue, became radicalized by two American neo-Nazis and tragically took her own life at age 16. An official inquiry into her death concluded that there were missed opportunities to provide her with mental health support.

Rudd’s mother first alerted authorities in September 2020 after discovering extremist material and bomb-making instructions on her daughter’s devices. Shortly afterward, Rhiannon was arrested after drawing a swastika on her forehead and setting up a shrine to Hitler in her room.

Messages uncovered by MI5 included statements like, “I want to kill someone or blow up a house of worship… I don’t care who I hurt.”

Charges were dropped in August 2021 after it emerged that Rudd had been manipulated and sexually exploited by two American neo-Nazis: Dax Malborn, her mother’s ex-partner and a member of the Arizona Aryan Brotherhood, and Chris Cook, a 28-year-old Ohio man jailed in 2023 for plotting violence against critical infrastructure. The inquiry found both men had a significant role in her radicalization, providing violent and racist materials via WhatsApp.

In May 2022, while living in a youth refuge, Rudd died by suicide. The inquiry, led by Alexia Doran, the chief coroner for England and Wales, noted that earlier interventions, including referral to a support program for human trafficking victims, were delayed until 2021.

Rudd’s mother, Emily Carter, asserted that the prolonged investigation contributed to her daughter’s death, but Doran dismissed this, noting the terrorism inquiry was justified and handled professionally. “The missed opportunities do not indicate systemic failure,” Doran stated.

UK prosecutors also expressed regret, stating, “This is a tragic case… we do not lightly prosecute children or vulnerable individuals. Terror offenses are extremely serious, and these decisions are made with great care.”

An MI5 official recently reported rising youth extremism, noting that 13 percent of individuals investigated by MI5 last year were under 18. three times the number compared to three years ago.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, help is available. Please reach out to one of these crisis lines:

Country Support Hotline:

Australia - Lifeline AU: 13 11 14; Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

United Kingdom - Samaritans: 116 123

United States - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

South Africa - Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567

Canada - Suicide Prevention Service: 1 833 456 4566

France - Suicide Écoute: 31 14 (24/7)

Israel - 1201

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency services without delay.