Jaren Duran Continues to Face Online Abuse

Over a year after Jaren Duran shared his experience with a past suicide attempt, he still faces trolling online regarding it.

The Red Sox outfielder, often subjected to heckling from both home and visiting fans, took to Instagram on Wednesday night to share screenshots of some recent abusive messages he received.

The first was a direct message from a fan named Jason Milbrandt from July, which stated, “I should have pulled the trigger.”

The next screenshot was another comment from Milbrandt, suggesting that Duran should have learned from Kurt Cobain, adding, “At least he was man enough to pull the trigger.”

The third image, accompanied by three laughing emojis from Duran, showed a Google search of the fan’s name, revealing personal information like an address and arrest record. It’s uncertain if this pertains to the same individual.

Duran discussed his mental health struggles and previous suicide attempt in a 2022 Netflix documentary focused on the Red Sox season. After facing two challenging seasons in 2021 and 2022, he dealt with a lot of negativity from fans, but he reflected that it “felt ten times worse” for him personally.

During the series, he recounted a pivotal moment: “I was sitting in my room, I had a rifle, I had a bullet, I pulled the trigger, and the gun clicked, and nothing happened. I think God didn’t allow me to kill myself; I just don’t know why it didn’t go off.” He interpreted this as a sign that he was meant to be here for a reason.

He continued, “So after the gun didn’t go off, I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Do I want to be here or not?’ It all happened for a reason—you’re here for a purpose, so live how you want to live.”

This isn’t the first time Duran has encountered hostility from fans. In a notable incident, he was stopped by a Cleveland fan and subsequently ejected from the stadium.

Earlier this year, Duran responded to heckling by giving the middle finger to a fan in Minnesota. “At this point, you get used to it,” he admitted. “If someone says something, I might react, but yeah, I shouldn’t,” he acknowledged, noting that instances like these can still feel triggering.

Duran has faced backlash from fans even prior to 2022. In 2024, he was captured on a hot mic using a homophobic slur after responding to a comment about needing a tennis racket while batting.

Currently experiencing the toughest season of his career, it’s uncertain how much longer Duran will retain a spot with the Red Sox. He had thought the team would be making moves at the trade deadline and that he might be released. Yet, he has participated in every game since their unexpected acquisition of All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, please reach out for help. You can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org for confidential support.