Inquest Reveals MI5 Investigated Groomed Teen Terror Suspect Until Her Death

Rhianan Rudd, 16, who was groomed by far-right extremists, died by suicide after terror charges were dropped, raising questions about safeguarding in counter-terrorism cases.

Rhianan Rudd, a 16-year-old with autism, was under MI5 investigation for far-right extremism until her death in May 2022, despite her terror charges being dropped months earlier.
The inquest revealed she had been groomed and exploited by neo-Nazis online, including a 28-year-old American extremist who manipulated her into adopting far-right ideologies.
MI5 officers expressed discomfort and frustration over the lack of guidance in handling cases involving minors and the inability to refer Rudd to anti-extremism programs while under investigation.
Rudd's mother had referred her to the Prevent deradicalization program in 2020, but conflicting policies prevented simultaneous support from Prevent and ongoing police investigations.
The case highlights growing concerns about the rise in child terrorism cases, with 13% of MI5's subjects of interest being minors, and the challenges of balancing national security with safeguarding vulnerable individuals.