Pedophile Chat Room Used by Thornton Taken Offline

The online chat room that led to former 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer Jim Thornton's termination has been scrubbed from the internet, according to information obtained by TMZ.

The website Lifeline.chat became central to the controversy after photographs surfaced showing Thornton accessing the platform during a May flight from North Carolina to Los Angeles. The specific chat room where Thornton was observed has now been removed from the site.

A fellow passenger on the flight photographed Thornton's laptop screen and notified flight crew members about messages she believed concerned children. Law enforcement officials questioned Thornton after the aircraft landed, though he faced no arrest or criminal charges.

The photographs appeared to capture Thornton spending nearly one hour on the website, with conversations visible on his screen that were linked to pedophilia.

In response to the controversy, the website issued a statement acknowledging awareness of media coverage while rejecting claims that the platform facilitated criminal conduct. "LifeLine exists precisely because the world is so incredibly hateful and punitive that minor-attracted people have no other means of support," the statement read, according to TMZ.

Thornton's legal representative has maintained that his client was attempting to reach a suicide-prevention forum when he was mistakenly redirected to the site. The attorney has also stated that Thornton did not view, download, or possess child pornography.

Sony Pictures Television terminated Thornton's employment following an internal investigation into the incident. Thornton had served as the announcer on 'Wheel of Fortune' since 2011, a role he held for 15 years before his dismissal.

The incident has raised questions about online platforms that provide support for individuals attracted to minors, a topic that continues to generate significant debate regarding the balance between mental health resources and public safety concerns.