CASTAIC, Calif. (KABC) — A 13-year-old girl from Northridge was rescued Friday from a Pennsylvania man who authorities say targeted her online as part of a disturbing extremist group, flying across the country with the intent to commit acts of violence against her.
The life-saving operation, involving local and federal law enforcement, found the girl with 18-year-old Matthew Pysher in a Castaic motel room. Officials allege Pysher groomed the teen, coercing her into sending sexually explicit images and encouraging self-harm.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the case as “one of the most twisted and disturbing ideas to crawl out of the internet.” He detailed how Pysher allegedly began messaging the girl on Discord two months ago, initially connecting with her on a server dedicated to mental health support.
According to Essayli, the messages quickly took a dark turn. “You could see here in the final message, he tells her, ‘You can go as deep or shallow as you want. I love scratches, cuts and pretty much anything else,’” he said, recounting the disturbing content of their online interactions.
The situation escalated when the girl ran away from home and left a suicide note, prompting her mother to contact police. Investigators were able to trace the Discord account to Pysher and located him at the motel with the girl. Authorities say he had already cut and choked the teen, and they had allegedly planned to die by suicide together, intending to jump from a tall building.
“The victim told law enforcement that he had engaged in sexual conduct with her, and that he used a knife to repeatedly cut her, and that he also choked her to the point she couldn’t speak,” Essayli stated. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna added, “The only thing more tragic would be is if we were reporting her death.”
The rescued teen is now safe. Investigators believe Pysher’s actions are linked to a dangerous ideology known as nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) and a group called “764,” described as an online extremist network that seeks to destroy civilized society by targeting children for sexual exploitation and self-harm.
Essayli explained that NVEs are associated with individuals who commit crimes in the United States to further goals rooted in a hatred of society. The FBI is currently investigating more than 450 cases involving this ideology.
“Any child with access to the internet is a sitting duck for these sick, deranged and demonic individuals looking to harm your children,” Essayli warned, urging parents to monitor their children’s online activity.
Pysher has been federally charged with traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison. Investigators noted this is the second case involving this ideology in Southern California in the past week.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis emphasized the importance of parental engagement. “Please stay engaged with your children. Monitor their online activities,” he said.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
