There have been 17 suicides of young people in Bridgend, Wales since the beginning of 2007, with 7 believed to be linked. The South Wales coroner was alarmed that these 7 victims knew each other but left no notes. Several of the victims had posted online tributes to each other on social media sites like Bebo before taking their own lives. Police are investigating whether these suicides are linked and are concerned about the possibility of an "internet suicide cult" influencing young people in the area through social media to seek "virtual immortality" online after death.