The older sister of a schoolboy who killed himself after years of bullying has revealed how her beloved sibling’s suicide note inspired her to try and save student’s lives.
Kodi Pearson, 14, took his own life in 2016 following sustained personal and online attacks from students at St Thomas Moore College in Sunnybank, Brisbane.
Devastated at the loss of her younger brother, Kodi’s model sister Tayla, 19, and parents have now made it their personal mission to step up the fight.
‘If I can save one kid it will be worth it,’ Ms Pearson told 60 Minutes.
Tayla Pearson is starting an anti-bullying campaign to honour the life of her younger brother
Ms Pearson (pictured middle) speaks out at schools around Brisbane about the effects of bullying
Ms Pearson has now made it her personal mission to step up the fight in honour of her brother
Kodi Pearson, 14, took his own life in mid-2016 following sustained personal and online attacks from students at St Thomas Moore College in Sunnybank, Brisbane
‘We were like best friends, we were always together.
‘The experience has changed me, it has made me think about all the little things people do to others. If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all.’
Ms Pearson said while on the outside her brother always seemed bubbly, it wasn’t always a true reflection of how he felt.
After being constantly harassed on the playground and in the classroom, Kodi began faking sickness in order to be able to stay home.
But in the age of modern technology the bullies were able to follow him home and continue to torment him online.
‘Not only was he receiving grief in school, he wasn’t able to escape from it at home either,’ Ms Pearson said.
Ms Pearson said while on the outside her brother always seemed bubbly, it wasn’t always a true reflection of how he felt
The Pearson’s are still tortured over Kodi’s suicide, thinking about what they could have done
Before taking his life, Kodi wrote a final letter (pictured) to his family wanting them to tell everybody how bad bullying is
While she remembers her brother with a large smiling photo of him in his school uniform, Ms Pearson hopes his legacy will last even longer.
The Pearson’s are still tortured over Kodi’s suicide, thinking about what they could have done.
‘I didn’t think a 14-year old could think like that,’ Mr Pearson said.
Before taking his life, Kodi wrote a final letter to his family wanting them to tell everybody how bad bullying is.
Ms Pearson continues to spread her brother’s message throughout schools, ensuring children know how bullying can end lives and how there should be consequences.
A Facebook page, Kodi’s Message, was created in Kodi’s honour to help spread the word around about the devastating and deadly impact bullying can have.
For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14
Ms Pearson continues to spread her brother’s message throughout schools, ensuring children know how bullying can end lives
A Facebook page, Kodi’s Message , was created in Kodi’s honour to help spread the word around about how bad bullying is