An 18-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged federally after authorities say he traveled to California to sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl and carry out a suicide pact the two had allegedly discussed online. Matthew Edward Pysher was arrested Feb. 20 at a motel in Castaic, California, according to a criminal complaint. He is charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Alleged Online Communication and Self-Harm Encouragement
According to the complaint, Pysher and the minor began communicating in December 2025 on Discord. Authorities allege he encouraged the girl to send sexually explicit material and images of self-harm, and to harm herself on camera through a private Discord server.
The girl’s mother contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Feb. 10, reporting that her daughter was being encouraged to hurt herself by someone named “Matthew.” On Feb. 20, after agents had collected the girl’s devices for review, the mother reported that her daughter had run away and that a suicide note had been found.
Arrest at California Motel and Ongoing Investigation
Investigators traced a phone number found in the girl’s room to accounts allegedly connected to Pysher and determined he had flown from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him entering a room with the girl at a Rodeway Inn motel in Castaic.
According to the complaint, law enforcement found the minor hiding in the bathroom, along with items including a knife and razor blades. The girl told investigators that Pysher cut her forearms and had nonconsensual sexual intercourse with her, during which he allegedly choked her. She also said the two had discussed jumping from a hotel as part of a suicide pact.
Pysher has not yet appeared in court. The investigation remains ongoing, and the FBI is asking anyone who believes they may have been victimi
