Daisy Coleman death: Star of Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy dies, aged 23
Sexual assault survivor and activist was co-subject of award-winning film
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Your support makes all the difference.Netflix star Daisy Coleman has died by suicide, aged 23.
Documentary subject Coleman appeared in 2016 film Audrie & Daisy. Her body was found after her mother, Melinda, urged police to undertake a welfare check.
She called Coleman “my best friend and [an] amazing daughter” as she announced the news on Facebook.
She continued: “I think she had to make it seem like I could live without her. I can’t. I wish I could have taken the pain from her!”
Audrie & Daisy revealed Coleman and Audrie Pott’s experiences of sexual assault in 2012. The documentary explores the bullying faced by teenage assault victims.
Melissa added: “She never recovered from what those boys did to her and it’s just not fair. My baby girl is gone.”
The documentary details Coleman’s allegations that she was raped at a party when she was 14 years old by Matthew Barnett, who was 17.
After the news made national headlines, her family were forced to move out of Maryland. The case was eventually dropped, which Coleman’s family claimed was due to the fact Barnett’s family had local political connections.
Coleman went on to co-found SafeBAE (Before Anyone Else), a non-profit organisation focused on stopping sexual assault among school students, as well as helping young survivors.
A statement released by SafeBAE said: “[We are] shattered and shocked by her passing.”
“She had many coping demons and had been facing and overcoming them all, but as many of you know, healing is not a straight path or any easy one. She fought longer and harder than we will ever know.”
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The statement added that Coleman would want the young survivors she helped ”to know they are heard, they matter, they are loved, and there are places for them to get the help they need”.
Audrie & Daisy premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It went on to win a Peabody Award.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support: www.rapecrisis.org.uk.
In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.