A young mother killed herself on her 23rd birthday after she was bullied by internet trolls – including one who set up a fake Tinder account for her, her family has said.
Leanne Morrison, from Cambusbarron, Scotland, is thought to have ended her life after she returned from a night out celebrating her birthday in nearby Stirling.
The mother-of-one was described as being the ‘life and soul of the party’ and ‘lived for’ her four-year-old son Mason.
One family member said bullies had ‘driven’ her to her death and revealed a ‘sicko’ had created a fake online dating profile for her and was contacting men online.
Leanne Morrison, 23, (pictured) was found dead after celebrating her birthday with her friends
The mother-of-one (pictured) was described as being the ‘life and soul of the party’ but was bullied online by trolls, according to her friends and family
A post on Ms Morrison’s Instagram page showed her celebrating with her friends and drinking prosecco.
But her body was identified by her 20-year-old brother William and her uncle Donnie Morrison, 40, after the alarm was raised.
Her grandmother, Isabel Morrison, 63, spoke to her the day before her birthday and said she was looking forward to her night out.
She added she was not aware of the bullying until after her death.
She told the Daily Record: ‘She told me she had an appointment to see the doctor and I think she had been suffering from depression after having a few rough times recently – but no one realised how bad it was.
‘We are all utterly devastated. Leanne knew so many people and had so many great friends. She was the life and soul of the party and loved a night out but she lived for her wee boy and Mason is our main concern.’
She added: ‘I have been made aware of some things that have been said on Facebook, which are upsetting.’
Her friends on social media revealed how Leanne suffered from depression and that a recent relationship had ended.
It is believed she reported the online bullying she suffered to the police.
Ms Morrison (pictured) was suffering from depression and was targeted by online trolls, with one setting up a fake Tinder profile for her
The young mother, 23, uploaded this photograph to her Facebook page two months before her death
Her sister posted a heartbreaking tribute to her on August 31 and described her as being ‘beautiful’.
She wrote online: ‘Sleep tight beautiful baby sis. I still can’t accept that your (sic) gone.
‘I promise we will love, protect and cherish Mason, promise to make you so proud of him, and to always tell him how much you loved him. See you again soon, I love you x.’
A family member added: ‘It was bullies that drove to her to this.
‘Some sicko created a fake Tinder account and was contacting guys with it. Police have been given a name for the person who is suspected and everyone who knows Leanne is hoping they get properly punished for it.
‘Leanne would always tell people she was doing OK but it was known that some of the setbacks she’s had in the last few years have led to depression and she has struggled to cope.’
A Just Giving page has been set up by Leanne’s cousin, Jacqueline Morrison, and she is hoping to help raise £2,000 to help with her funeral.
It has already raised more than £1,300 and she wrote: ‘I am trying to raise money to help my Auntie Isabel and Uncle Frank give Leanne the send off she deserves.
Friends and family members revealed the level of ‘abuse’ that Leanne (pictured) was given on the internet
‘Everyone who knew Leanne knew what a beautiful person she was inside and out and how much she loved her family and friends especially her gorgeous son Mason.
‘Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Leanne will have amazing memories they can cherish forever.
‘Please donate if u can and Share with as many people as u can so we can give this gorgeous Princess the send off she deserves. Thank you everyone xxxx.’
Before her death, Leanne wrote on her Facebook page: ‘Well just want to clear a few things up, not a single person will get to me with their pathetic, disgusting lies.
‘So say and think what you want about me cause every last one of you are irrelevant.’
Two days before she died, she wrote a more optimistic post and said: ‘We all mess up sometimes. Don’t forget all the good someone has done just because they’ve made mistakes.
‘Everyone is learning, living and growing. Always let the good outweigh the bad. Love, laugh and live. Day one or one day, it’s your choice so make it worth it.’
Her friend Sasha Faichney revealed on Facebook the level of ‘abuse’ Leanne had been given online.
She said: ‘The only thing keeping me going is that I’m going to kill them. Absolute b*******. She was the best wee person. A sister.
‘Mental abuse from all angles. The people who done it know who they are and the guilt should be carried with them forever.’
A spokesman for the Mental Health Foundation Scotland told the Daily Record: ‘Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this tragic case.
‘In August, statistics from the National Records of Scotland revealed an increase in the number of people who died by suicide in 2016.
‘We urgently need to uncover the reasons for this, with a focus on the pressure that young people are under.
‘A majority of people who live with mental health problems never seek professional help. For anyone worried about a friend or loved one, we would advise they visit NHS Scotland’s Choose Life website, which provides information on talking to someone.’
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.