What makes this case unique, however, is how obscure the messages were; they contain references to memes and in-jokes that could only be understood by a niche community of online gamers.

Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, shares an emotional tribute after his assassination.

Mr Kirk, 31, was gunned down on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, which was part of a campus tour where he debated with students and invited them to “prove him wrong”.