Carlos Vigil Suicide: Teen Takes Own Life After Apparent Bullying
Article has been updated as of 5:05 p.m. EST.
Tragedy has struck Los Lunas High School in New Mexico this week, as bullying reportedly resulted in one 17-year-old's suicide. The messages he left before his death have given those who knew Carlos Vigil insight into just how much pain he was in before he decided to take his own life this weekend.
"I'm sorry to those I offended over the years. I'm blind to see that I, as a human being, suck. I'm an individual who is doing an injustice to the world and it's time for me to leave," read a post on Vigil's Twitter account, continuing: "The kids in school are right, I am a loser, a freak, and a fag and in no way is that acceptable for people to deal with. I'm sorry for not being a person that would make people proud."
"We found out three years ago that he was going through this stuff and we've been trying to help him every day since," said Vigil's father. "We realize he's been going through it every day since he was in the third grade, that's a long time for a child to hold that within himself."
Vigil's father, Ray Vigil, said that he came home as soon as he saw the post that his son had made on Twitter. Unfortunately, by that point in time it was too late for anything to be done. His family took Carlos off of life support late Sunday evening. So far they are using this tragedy as an opportunity to spread Carlos' message.
"Carlos is finally at peace! Thank you everyone for your support and prayers. Please don't forget what he wanted STOP THE BULLYING," read a tweet on his Twitter account early this morning that was written by his family.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or visit stopbullying.gov. You can also visit The Trevor Project or call them at 866-488-7386.
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