Bullying Drives Texas City High School Senior to Suicide

Brandy Vela, an 18-year-old Texas City High School senior, took her own life on Tuesday afternoon (November 29) as a result of bullying. Her family identified that “relentless bullying” led Brandy to her eventual death, despite having many friends and being well-loved at home. Her final text message to family members reads: “I love you so much just remember that please and I’m so sorry for everything.”

Photo: Facebook/Search

Although her family had tried everything they could to talk her down, Brandy had made her decision and shot herself in front of them. Police confirmed she died of her injuries at the hospital. Her family believes the fault lies with the bullies who have troubled her for years, using her weight as their bullseye and purportedly making fake social media accounts in their persistent efforts to harass her.

Photo: Pixabay

“They would make dating websites of her and they would put her number and they would put her picture and lie about her age and say she is giving herself up for sex for free, to call her,” her sister stated in an interview with KPRC2. The family has previously reported the bullying instances to both the school district as well as authorities.

Photo: Flickr/ijclark

Prior to Thanksgiving, Brandy reported to her school that she was getting harassing messages. In a statement from the Texas City Independent School District, Director of Communications, Melissa Tortorici identified that their deputy had investigated the matter and found that the app which was used for sending the messages was untraceable, and that Brandy was advised to change her phone number. This was only one of the many tactics that were employed, however, by unyielding bullies, and despite changing her number, their harassment continued.

Photo: Flickr/UNFCCC

A statement issued by the Texas City Police Department identifies that the cyber-bullying reports currently being investigated in this case and in the interim, the Texas City Independent School District are monitoring student behavior and ensuring friends, classmates, and teachers are allowed the ability to grieve this devastating loss.