A heartbroken mother has detailed how her 12-year-old daughter’s life tragically unravelled when she was kicked out of her friendship within months of starting high school.
Adiel Boyd, 12, was found dead in her bedroom by family members at their Townsville home in North Queensland early on Sunday morning after taking her own life.
Just 12 months ago, she was excited to graduate from primary school with her best friends and was looking forward to attending the same high school with them, according to her mum Victoria.
But, over the course of 2024, Ms Boyd claimed Adiel’s friends relentlessly bullied and socially excluded her in the playground.
She alleges the bullying followed Adiel home during the school holidays via social media.
Ms Boyd told Daily Mail Australia that her youngest child tried to shield the family from the full extent of her suffering.
‘Adiel was very private. She shared a little bit of things,’ Ms Boyd said.
She learned a little of what was going on, and supported Adiel through the ordeal with the help along with her eldest daughter Tameka.
The tragic death of 12-year-old Adiel Boyd has spurned an urgent warning for Australian parents
The Townsville schoolgirl took her own life four days after Christmas
‘They were calling her things like ‘annoying,’ saying that ‘she’s no longer accepted,’ but it’s not only that. It’s what goes to other friend groups and what they relay back to Adiel,’ Ms Boyd said.
She admitted she doesn’t know the full scale of what her daughter endured.
‘When it comes down to social media, there’s a closed space,’ Ms Boyd said.
She believes social media has become nearly impossible for parents to monitor effectively, with much of the harmful content remaining unseen.
Although she doesn’t yet know exactly what was said to her daughter, Ms Boyd is desperately seeking answers.
Police are currently investigating the contents of Adiel’s phone and social media accounts.
‘Whatever was mentioned and whatever was said that pushed her to that moment for her to do that, we’re waiting for that too because that is inside her phone,’ Ms Boyd said.
Alleged bullying at school moved to social media before Adiel took her own life on Sunday
Victoria Boyd (pictured with daughter Adiel) urged parents to pay attention to their teens’ social media use
Adiel (pictured) was a gifted student who could speak four languages
‘We all need to be more observant with our children. We need to pay more attention, have a closer look,’ Ms Boyd urged.
‘[We need to be able] to see these signs, recognise these dangers that our children are dealing with.’
She encouraged victims of bullying to speak openly with their loved ones.
‘Stay strong, there is help out there. Speak out and talk about it,’ she urged.
‘Don’t feel like you are by yourself. Don’t feel like you’re on your own because someone is always there ready and waiting to hear whatever you have to say.’
‘No matter is too small for anyone. Open up, don’t rely on social media, don’t rely on the posting of statuses. We need to have physical interactions.’
Adiel was a gifted student from the start, according to her proud mum.
She spoke her family’s Indigenous language as well as Japanese and Filipino and played three musical instruments.
Ms Boyd said police are currently investigating the contents of Adiel’s phone to determine the circumstances leading up to her passing
Ms Boyd said her daughter spoke four languages, played three instruments and was a star student at school
‘She was a very impressive girl, a top student,’ Ms Boyd said.
‘[She was] very, very humble, very loving. Never hated anybody. Never knew hate. Whoever she knew and interacted with, it wasn’t like, ‘I like you’ – she interacted with genuine love.
‘She was like an angel, literally, like an angel.’
Adiel’s sister Tameka has launched a GoFundMe, which has raised more than $7,000 to help the family say their goodbyes to Adiel.
‘Adiel left a birthmark on everybody she knew in her short 12 years of life,’ she wrote.
‘Adiel will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts. We, her family, would like to thank you all in advance for your support during this very sad and unfortunate time.’
‘In retrospect of how we lost our Adi, we would also like to raise awareness on suicide prevention, especially in our children.’
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk