Brisbane Year 7 student takes own life after being bullied for sexuality
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy taunted about his sexuality has tragically taken his own life.
Tyrone Unsworth suffered through years of homophobic insults from his peers before his devastating death on Monday, reports Kidspot.
The Year 7 student’s heartbroken mum Amanda said her little boy was feminine and this led to him being the target of bullies.
“He was a really feminine male, he loved fashion, he loved make-up and the boys always picked on him, calling him gay-boy, faggot, fairy; it was a constant thing from Year 5,” his grieving mother told the Courier Mail.
Amanda revealed her little boy had such big ambitions for life, with a dream to be a vet and save animals or a fashion designer.
She said she would remember fondly his bright blue eyes, deep dimples, cheeky little smile, and the way they would shop together with Tyrone telling her what she should wear.
While Tyrone was a happy, cheeky boy on the outside, he did suffer horribly on the inside.
Amanda said her son’s favourite saying used to be “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.
“Obviously they ended up getting him,” she said.
Just a month ago the Aspley State High School student was hospitalised after a violent clash, allegedly with another student, outside of the school grounds.
Amanda claimed her son was hit in the jaw with a fence paling so hard that he required surgery and was too afraid to return to school after the incident.
Queensland Police last night confirmed there was an ongoing investigation into the alleged assault.
Tyrone’s grandmother, Twiggy Jones, said when the young boy came out of hospital, he was different, he kept saying he didn’t want to go back to school or end up back in hospital.
She said before that terrifying incident, Tyrone was a “very happy-go-lucky kid” who would be remembered for his big beautiful smile.
Amanda admitted before that attack the family had not reported the bullying to the school.
Tyrone’s school principal Jacquita Miller said the bullying against him had not been reported, and her heart went out to his family, loved ones and friends.
“We had no reports to the school of the bullying, we really try to work with families to resolve these complex issues. I’m just so sorry and sad that we didn’t have the opportunity to help this young man,” she said.
Friends and family of Tyrone took to social media to mourn the young teenager’s death.
His grandmother posted the youngster was now at peace.
“Now you’re at ease and peaceful, lay to rest my beautiful grandson, you be flying high with the butterflies and your fairy angels will be guarding you way up in the sky our darling little grandson,” she wrote.
Several admitted that they had heard or witnessed the bullying and wish they had done more.
Others pleaded with their friends to remember words hurt.
“I just wish he knew that life gets better, I hope ur in a better place. Everyone please just stop putting people down for being different. It’s enough. There’s a line between the things u can say and not say. Words do hurt,” another student wrote.
Amanda is now planning a funeral for her beloved son, who she said was a deeply loving boy who was always there for his family.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
This article originally appeared on Kidspot
Originally published as ‘The bullies ended up getting him’