November 19th 2024.
Megan Evans was a 14-year-old girl who was known for her big heart and willingness to help others. She had a bright future ahead of her and was excited for an upcoming Justin Bieber concert. However, in 2017, her life was cut short after she took her own life. It was later discovered that she had been a victim of cyber-bullying, with a social media group dedicated to targeting her.
Her mother, Nicola Harteveld, revealed that the group, called "I hate Megan Evans," had been reported to the school. But even after it was taken down, Nicola found more evidence of the bullying on Megan's Snapchat and Facebook accounts. It was a devastating realization for the family, especially since Megan's brother had found her lifeless body in their home.
The bullying had been going on for weeks, and Megan's behavior had changed drastically. She was usually a studious and well-behaved girl, but she had been having outbursts in class. Her mother had been called almost every day for uniform infringements, but the school never informed them of any bad behavior. Nicola believes that the school should have noticed something was wrong and intervened.
During the inquest, it was revealed that Megan's friends had been asked if they thought she was being bullied, and they all said no. The education authority representative, Malcolm Duthie, explained that it would have been difficult for the school to gather evidence of cyber-bullying on Snapchat, where messages disappear after 24 hours. He also mentioned that Megan may have been upset about an argument with a classmate or her father's health.
The night of Megan's death was a tragic one. Her brother couldn't find her in their home, so he called their parents, who had left for a trip with their younger siblings. Eventually, Megan was found in a locked bedroom, and despite the efforts of her family, paramedics, and hospital staff, she could not be saved. Her mother had no idea why Megan would do this, as she described her as an intelligent, kind, and vibrant teenager.
Megan's family released a statement expressing their grief and memories of her. They mentioned her big heart and how she always stood up for what she believed in. She was a talented artist and hockey player, and her peers adored her.
Since her passing, Nicola has been raising awareness about mental health and the dangers of bullying through the establishment of Megan's Starr Foundation. The foundation provides free counseling and peer support to young people in Pembrokeshire. But despite their efforts, the inquest in Haverfordwest continues.
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