Gabriella Green's Death

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Part of a series on Cyberbullying. [View Related Entries]

Overview

Gabriella Green's Death refers to the controversy and criminal investigation into the suicide of 12-year-old Gabriella Green. Following her death, two of Green's classmates were charged with cyberstalking in connection with the suicide.

Background

In January 2018, 12-year-old Gabriella Green had been suspended from Surfside Middle School for 10 days, following an alleged fight in the bathroom. According to Green's mother, Tanya, she had been receiving harrassing texts from her classmates from school during the day. Green's mother described the texts and social media "particularly heavy" that day.

Later that day, Gabriella was found dead in her closet of an apparent suicide.^[1]

Development

On January 22nd, 2018, two 12-year-olds were characterd with cyberstalking in connection to the suicide of their fellow classmate Gabreilla Green. According to an investigation by Panama City Beach Police, the police were alerted to potential cyberbullying against Green. As a result, the police examined several phones and social media accounts.

That day, the Panama City News Herald reported that Green had attempted to hang herself the morning of her death, sending images of red marks on her neck to a male classmate. The two video chat, she discussed wanting to kill herself. The report states:

"[Redacted] responded by saying something to the effect of, ‘if you’re going to do it, just do it’ and ended the call."

The two juveniles character in the case were charged with cyberstalking a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida, which is punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.^[2]

The Green family says that they blame the school system for not recognizing the extent that the bullying had reached and frequently targeted their daughter for acting out. Tanya Green hopes that her daughter's death will "help others." She said, "It’s going to help others at her school. It’s going to start at her school. It’s going to help others around the world."^[3]

YouTube Tribute

Following Green's death, people began posting video tributes to her on YouTube. On January 16th, YouTuber^[4] Gia published a video called "rip, gabriella peyton green 💞 #justiceforgabby." The video (shown below, left) received more than 8,500 views in one week. The following day, on January 17th, YouTuber^[5] Brookyln Pariscoff posted one entitled "Gabriella Payton Green // Rip😭." The post (shown below, left) received more than 10,000 views in one week.

[This video has been removed]