Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teenage cyberbullying victim mocked on Facebook days after suicide in front of parents

'I love you so much just remember that please and I'm so sorry for everything,' the 18-year-old wrote in her final message to her family

Matt Broomfield
Wednesday 14 December 2016 13:32 GMT
Comments
Brandy Vela, 18, in a picture from her Facebook profile
Brandy Vela, 18, in a picture from her Facebook profile (Facebook)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A teenager who shot herself in front of her family after cyberbullies made fun of her weight is still being mocked by fake Facebook profiles.

Fake profiles showing Brandy Vela's face superimposed onto a pig and Photoshopped alongside guns have been shared with the Texas City Police Department.

"I thought this was all behind us but it's not over," her father Raul told KHOU. "I know what she was going through now. It's not that easy just to shut it off and let it go."

Brandy, 18, killed herself on Tuesday 29 November, placing a gun to her chest in her bedroom in front of her parents and grandparents.

Speaking in the days after her death, the family told local news source Click2Houston that anonymous messages sent through encrypted apps and fake Facebook profiles mocked their daughter's weight.

Her sister Jacqueline, 22, said: "They would put her picture and lie about her age and say she is giving herself up for sex for free.... [The authorities] always say the same thing: they can't do anything about it."

Facebook apologises to LGBTQ community over naming policy

The attacks were reported to the police, but the messages could not be traced. The recently-created Facebook profiles have since been removed by the social media company, following complaints registered by friends, family and supporters.

Following Brandy's suicide, the Texas City Police Department said in a statement that it was investigating the cyber-bullying attacks. No arrests have yet been made.

Brandy's final text message reportedly ran: "I love you so much just remember that please and I'm so sorry for everything."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in