EXCLUSIVE
A 14-year-old schoolgirl who tragically took her own life after suffering mental health problems exacerbated by bullying has left a heartbreaking six-word message for her devastated family as she is remembered as a “ball of genius”.
Isla Marschke was discovered by her mother Christie Jacobson in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South in Queensland on Tuesday night.
Ms Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a short note in her room along with the password to her phone.
“I’m sorry, I love you, mom,” the message read.
Mrs Jacobsen said she had faced an uphill battle to get help for her daughter, who had suffered from “existing mental health issues” for several years.
“I live in a regional city and I spent months and months desperately trying to find a child psychologist who could help my daughter,” Ms Jacobsen told Daily Mail Australia.
‘But I was constantly rejected because she was too young or because her books were full. Follow-up care was almost impossible. I can’t tell you how many times I would ask for help and be told “no, no, no.”
“While this was going on, she was also being bullied and experiencing family dynamic issues.”
Isla Marschke (pictured) was discovered by her mother Christie Jacobson in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on Tuesday night.
Ms Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a short note in her room along with the password to her phone (pictured: Isla and her mother, Christie).
“But there was actually no lead-up and we’re all totally devastated.”
Ms Jacobsen, a piano teacher and performing artist, called for more funding for mental health support in regional areas.
Just two hours before Isla was found, she had been chatting happily at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about her upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Ava, who was the last person to speak to Isla, then left to work as a pharmacy assistant at Chemist Warehouse before her stepfather arrived and told her the terrible news shortly before 6 p.m.
“Isla and I were just talking about normal things,” Ava told this publication.
‘It’s my birthday next Friday and hers is the 24th, so she was talking about how she got me a gift. It seemed really good.’
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, had been a victim of bullying and had left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she was struggling to fit in.
‘She had been struggling for quite some time. Last year, two of her former closest friends started harassing her. “One of them was posting videos on TikTok calling her a rat and stuff,” Ava added.
“I had to text them before to get them to leave Isla alone and I had to talk to them at school before to get them to leave Isla alone because it was getting out of hand.”
“They were just horrible to her.”
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, had been a victim of bullying and had left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she was having difficulty adjusting.
Just two hours before Isla was found, she had been chatting happily at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about her upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Isla, who had suffered from mental illness for several years before the bullying began and had been diagnosed with anxiety, OCD and autism, appeared to improve dramatically after moving to home learning.
“She was thriving, she wanted to be a leader and her school work was improving without anyone seeing it,” said Andy McLucas, Isla’s stepfather.
‘She absolutely loved it. “She had found her place and it was a big shock to me.”
McLucas, who is separated from Isla’s mother, said she had “gone through several episodes of counseling and talking to therapists.”
“Once we got the school element out of the way, he was doing pretty well,” Mr. McLucas said.
‘WWhen it was down, it was very noticeable. But This wasn’t one of those times, it just seemed a little flat.
McLucas, who said Isla was a talented musician and singer, paid tribute to her “quirky” personality.
Isla was remembered for her “quirky” personality and was described as a “ball of genius.”
A GoFundMe page, set up by Ava to help cover the cost of her funeral, has so far raised more than $20,000.
“She had such a wickedly amazing sense of humor that not many people understood because she was so funny and so different,” McLucas said.
‘She was so talented. He had a beautiful voice, loved to sing all the time and could play any instrument. “She was just a ball of genius.”
His voice was so good that his new school had recently asked him to record the national anthem so they could play it during assemblies.
“She was very empathetic to those she loved,” McLucas added.
And when she liked you, you really liked her. He was very demanding and didn’t get along with everyone, but when he did, he just loved you fiercely and read to you.
“She just didn’t know how loved she was.”
TO GoFundMe pagewhich was created by Ava to help cover the cost of her funeral, has so far raised over $20,000.
Children’s Helpline at 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
Crisis support on 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days)
Text Lifeline on 0477 13 11 14 (6pm-midnight, 7 nights)
Chat online at www.lifeline.org.au (7pm-midnight, 7 days a week)