Young Teen Found Dead After Suicide

A 13-year-old boy from Colorado has died by suicide, following personal details of his sexuality being shared online.
Damarco Medinez, took his own life following weeks of cyberbullying, after private details of his sexuality were shared on social media. Screenshots of an intimate conversation between Damarco and another boy were posted on social media by one of Damarco’s friends after an argument. A campaign of online bullying followed, which his parents believe, contributed to his tragic death. Damarco Medinez’s family are now calling for an investigation into the ‘social media bullying’ after his explicit messages were leaked.
“JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK IT’S CUTE OR FUNNY TO MAKE SOMEBODY EMBARRASSED OR HUMILIATE THEM, THINK AGAIN, BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT, MY SON WOULD NOT BE DEAD.”
Danarco Medinez’s mother
Although messages between the two boys were intimate, family and friends believe that Damarco was just exploring his sexual identity and had not spoken openly about a specific sexual orientation. It’s believed that rumors of his bisexuality had come from other peoples’ assumptions online according to one-time girlfriend Lily, who told reporters ‘He was trying to find himself and people called him bisexual, but he never classified specifically as that’.
Damarco’s parents are demanding justice for their son and for more awareness and support to be made available for those affected by cyberbullying Calls for those who spread the rumors to be prosecuted have been met with no definitive answer from Craig Northcott, DA for Denver Colorado, who told the family , “When all relevant facts are available, my office will advise the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department on what charges, if any, we believe are appropriate to help guide it in that decision”.
“CYBERBULLYING CAN HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON A PERSON’S LIFE, ESPECIALLY A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF EXPLORING THEIR SEXUAL IDENTITY. THIS TRAGIC LOSS HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR ACCESS TO MORE RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TARGETED IN THIS WAY TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN SCHOOLS.”