15-year-old Sadie Riggs from Bedford, Pennsylvania committed suicide on Monday, June 19th, 2017. Throughout her life, she was surrounded by people who loved her unconditionally and who wished her only the best. Unfortunately, she was also surrounded by individuals who convinced her she was worthless.
In the obituary Sadie’s family posted on the Louis Geisel Funeral Home website, they addressed those cruel people who bullied their loving girl and made sure they know they were the ones responsible for Sadie’s death.
The obituary went viral and people whose children left this world in the same manner as a result of bullying shared their stories and expressed their condolences. They all share the same grief all because someone decided their children were of no worth.
Sadie was a member of the Solid Rock Christian Fellowship Church and loved playing softball. She loved reading and drawing too. Her family hopes their words would be heard by those who tormented their girl and pushed her into death.
“In an effort to debunk the rumors about Sadie’s death we would like to share this information,” the obituary reads. “Yes, Sadie took her own life, she hung herself. It is hard to fathom that someone so young could be so troubled.”
“Sadie was seeking help, she was in counseling and taking medication, but it was all too much for such a young soul to live with. If you take a minute and look at Sadie’s family dynamics you will see that a large percent of the people in her life were not related to her by blood but she was sent to us by God who knew this child needed a family.”
“Sadie had a tough life and until a recent incident at school, she handled everything life served her. For a young lady so excited about going to the High School things sure went terribly wrong for her.”
“For the bullies involved, please know you were effective in making her feel worthless. That is all between you and God now, but please know that it is not too late to change your ways,” Sadie’s family expressed.
“Sadie’s death has taken us to dark places, we will stick together and protect one another as we try to make sense of this tragic loss.”
“To all the bullies out there, I just want you to know that as much as we despise your actions, never, ever do we wish for you to feel the paralyzing pain that engulfs our bodies, a pain so severe that it makes the simple act of breathing difficult or the guilt that leaves us wondering what we could have done differently-or that struggle to remember the last words we spoke.”
“Our hearts are beyond broken. Sadie, it was a privilege to have you in our lives and we will always love you. May you find peace in the arms of God and may we all be kind to one another.”
Lastly, they expressed one last wish, writing, “In lieu of flowers, the family of Sadie ask that you be kind to one another.”
People from all around the world who got to read the eulogy feel sad and believe we should all raise our voice regarding bullying. It has to stop and those who do it should be punished before other young lives are lost.
Sadly, this tragic occurrence is all too frequent.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of suicidal thoughts, consider contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for emotional support.
If you know someone who shows signs of suicide please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to receive emotional support.