14-Year-Old Girl Who Died By Suicide Told To ‘Kill Herself’ By Bullies in Online Hate Groups

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TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about suicide, which may be triggering to some.

A family in Wales is still receiving information about the circumstances that preceded the death of their teenage daughter, Megan Evans, seven years ago. In 2017, after she died by suicide, Megan’s family described her as an intelligent, kind, and vibrant teenager.

So her mother had “no idea” why and no reason to suspect that Megan would die by suicide. But now, information from the ongoing investigations into Megan’s death has revealed evidence that may explain some of what she was experiencing back in 2017. 

Several online hate groups had been formed to target Megan.

The investigation found that Megan, a talented artist and hockey player, was being bullied online, The Telegraph reports. The negative attention was so severe that students had set up an entire Facebook page devoted to targeting her. In the group, Megan’s fellow students wrote that Megan should “kill herself.”

At one point, Megan received a message that read, “why don’t you hang yourself.” Megan responded, “ok,” the BBC reported.

Eventually, someone reported the groups to the school and the pages were disabled. After her death, Megan’s mother, Nicola Harteveld, logged onto her daughter’s Snapchat and Facebook accounts and found even more groups. Harteveld said when Megan’s friends were asked if she had been the victim of bullying, “all of them said no.”

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Megan died by suicide when she was at home with her siblings but her parents were out.

On the day of her death, February 7, 2019, Megan attended a school meeting about a trip to France. Witnesses say she appeared to be in good spirits. Later that evening, her parents took the four youngest siblings out, while the older four stayed at home together. 

At 10 p.m. that evening, her brother called their parents to say that he couldn’t find her in the house. He continued looking and eventually found she was locked in the upstairs bathroom. The efforts of her family members and paramedics could not revive Megan.

In the years since Megan's death, her mother has started advocacy work.

Malcolm Duthie, a representative for the education authority at Pembrokeshire Council, said it would have been hard for the school to determine that she was being bullied because so much of it took place on Snapchat, where messages disappear after 24 hours. 

In the years since her daughter’s passing, Harteveld has worked to raise awareness around mental health struggles and the dangers of social media bullying. Her organization, Megan’s Starrr Foundation offers free counseling and peer support for young people in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The investigation surrounding Megan death’s continues.

Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.