Jan. 29, 2025 (CHARDON, OH) — James Timothy Woods was a vibrant 17-year-old with a passion for running and a contagious personality. He was kind, funny and loved by all.

“Nobody could ever find a reason not to like him,” Tim Woods, James’ father, said. “He was always happy, smiling, and joking around. He had a magnetic personality.” 

“He came to us for anything,” Tamia Woods, James’ mother, said. “He knew that we had his back on anything. We proved that to him.”

James’ life was tragically cut short on Nov. 19, 2022 by the actions of money-hungry criminals. 

James was harassed and blackmailed by cybercriminals who tormented him for hours as part of an online sextortion scheme. James received 200 threatening messages in 19 and a half hours from four different people. Ultimately, sleep deprived and under unimaginable duress, James took his own life.

Determined to prevent other families from experiencing their loss, James' parents, Tamia and Tim, founded The Do It For James Foundation. This non-profit organization aims to:

- Raise awareness: Educate the public about the dangers of cyberbullying and sextortion.

- Support mental health: Provide resources and assistance for those struggling with mental health issues.

- Empower youth: Encourage and support young people through scholarships and programs.

The Do It For James Foundation continues to honor James' memory by promoting kindness, supporting youth and fighting against the forces that took his life.

“I just want you all to understand that sextortion is real,” Tamia said. “I don’t want you to learn the way that Tim and I had to learn.”

The Chardon Local School District thanks Tim and Tamia Woods for sharing this powerful presentation with our high school students and parents on January 28. 

If you missed the presentation, you can watch a replay of it here:

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