Man Kills 17-Year-Old, Posts Graphic Photos Online: Cops

A recent high school graduate who had an online following was murdered Sunday by a man who, police said, shared graphic photos of her dead body on social media. Bianca Devins, 17, of Utica, Oneida County, was found dead after police received 911 calls about a suicidal man who claimed to have killed a woman.

The man who police said killed Devins — Brandon Clark, 21, of Bridgewater, Oneida County — had met her on Instagram two months ago, Democrat & Chronicle reported. They knew each other's families.

Police said the pair had attended a concert in New York City Saturday, and when they returned to Utica there was an argument.

Authorities believe that Clark took and posted photographs of the killing on the text and video chat app Discord, according to CNN.

People on the Discord app who saw the photos called the Utica Police Department.

When officers responded to the calls, Clark was found on a dead end street stabbing his neck with a knife, and Devins' body was found on the ground nearby underneath a tarp, CBS New York reported.

After police found Clark injuring himself, they said he laid on a green tarp and took selfies while lying across from Devins' body.

Clark was charged Monday with second-degree murder, according to the New York Post.

He underwent surgery for his wounds and is being held in the Oneida County Correctional Facility.

Clark's Instagram account, where some of the photos were posted, has been taken down.

Devins had graduated in June from T.R. Proctor High School and was planning to attend Mohawk Valley Community College in the fall.

The Utica City School District posted a message on its website saying the community was "saddened to learn about the tragic and untimely passing of one of our 2019 graduates, Bianca Devins.

"We share our deepest heartfelt condolences with her family and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time," the message said.

A statement from Devins' family was posted online Monday.

"We are very grateful for the outpouring of love and sympathy we have received from our friends, family, Bianca's friends and the whole community," the statements said. "Your prayers help to strengthen us through this difficult time."

Bianca Devins was described by the family as a talented artist, loving sister, daughter and cousin, and "a wonderful young girl, taken from us all too soon."

"She is now looking down on us, as she joins her cat, Belle, in heaven. Bianca's smile brightened our lives. She will always be remembered as our princess," the family's statement said.