A heartbroken mother has detailed how her 12-year-old daughter’s life tragically unraveled when she was expelled from her friendship just months into secondary school.
Adiel Boyd, 12, was found dead in her bedroom by family members at her home in Townsville, northern Queensland, early Sunday morning after taking her own life.
Just 12 months ago, she was excited to graduate from elementary school with her best friends and was looking forward to attending the same high school with them, according to her mother Victoria.
But, over the course of 2024, Boyd claimed that Adiel’s friends relentlessly harassed and socially excluded her on the playground.
She alleges that the harassment followed Adiel home during school holidays via social media.
Ms Boyd told Daily Mail Australia her youngest son tried to shield the family from the full extent of his suffering.
‘Adiel was very reserved. “She shared some things,” Mrs. Boyd said.
She learned a little about what was going on and supported Adiel through the ordeal with her help along with her eldest daughter, Tameka.
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‘They were calling her things like ‘annoying’, saying that ‘she’s not accepted anymore’, but it’s not just that. “It’s what reaches out to other groups of friends and what they pass on to Adiel,” Ms. Boyd said.
He admitted that he does not know the magnitude of what his daughter suffered.
“When it comes to social media, there is a closed space,” Ms. Boyd said.
She believes social media has become almost impossible for parents to monitor effectively, and much of the harmful content remains invisible.
Although she still doesn’t know exactly what her daughter was told, Boyd is desperately searching for answers.
Police are currently investigating the contents of Adiel’s phone and social media accounts.
“Whatever was mentioned and whatever was said that pushed her to that moment to do that, we’re waiting for that too because it’s inside her phone,” Ms Boyd said.
The alleged bullying moved to social media before Adiel took his own life on Sunday
Victoria Boyd (pictured with her daughter Adiel) urged parents to pay attention to their teenage children’s use of social media.
Adiel (pictured) was a talented student who spoke four languages.
‘We all need to be more observant with our children. We need to pay more attention and look more closely,” urged Ms Boyd.
“(We need to be able) to see these signs, recognize these dangers that our children face.”
She encouraged victims of bullying to talk openly with their loved ones.
‘Stay strong, there is help out there. Talk and talk about it,’ he urged.
‘Don’t feel alone. Don’t feel alone because there is always someone there ready and waiting to hear what you have to say.’
‘No matter is too small for anyone. Open up, don’t trust social media, don’t trust posting statuses. We need to have physical interactions.’
Adiel was a talented student from the beginning, according to her proud mother.
He spoke his family’s indigenous language, as well as Japanese and Filipino, and played three musical instruments.
Boyd said police are currently investigating the contents of Adiel’s phone to determine the circumstances that led to his death.
Boyd said her daughter spoke four languages, played three instruments and was a star student at school.
“She was a very impressive girl, an excellent student,” Mrs. Boyd said.
‘(She was) very, very humble, very loving. I never hated anyone. I never knew hate. Whoever he met and whoever he interacted with, it wasn’t like, ‘I like you’: he interacted with genuine love.
“She was like an angel, literally like an angel.”
Adiel’s sister, Tameka, has launched a GoFundMewhich has raised more than $7,000 to help the family say goodbye to Adiel.
“Adiel left a birthmark on everyone he met in his short 12 years of life,” he wrote.
‘Adiel will be sadly missed and will be forever in our hearts. “We, his family, want to thank you all in advance for your support during this very sad and unfortunate time.”
“In retrospect of how we lost our Adi, we would also like to raise awareness about suicide prevention, especially among our children.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Children’s helpline: 1800 55 1800