Teenage boy commits suicide after being bullied over viral ‘sex act’ video

A 14-year-old boy has taken his own life after being "mercilessly bullied" over a 'viral sex act' video

teenage-suicide

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Matthew Burdette, 14, left a note saying he couldn't "handle school" any longer before killing himself on a family holiday - two weeks after the alleged sex act.

Matthew was told to leave class for eating sunflower seeds and visited the bathroom.

READ: ARE YOU AN ONLINE BULLY? WHY PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO JUDGE 'MAGALUF GIRL'

A classmate then allegedly secretly filmed Matthew in the cubicle; he posted the video to Snapchat, Vine and other social networking sites, claiming the teen was masturbating in the footage.

His distraught aunt told News 10: "It went viral.

"It went beyond his school. It went to other schools in California. Kids in the neighbourhood who didn't go to Matthew's school had heard about it and seen the video that was taken of him."

Via tributes.com
Via tributes.com

For two weeks, teenage bullies made Matthew's life "miserable" - and now, following their son's death, Matthew's parents have launched a lawsuit against his school.

READ: WHAT IS MAMADING – AND WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS?

Timothy and Barbara Burdette, who are suing the school district for $1 million, have said school staff in California were aware of the video and subsequent bullying but did nothing to prevent it.

"From the moment the video was posted, Matthew was mercilessly bullied, harassed and teased by students who had seen the video.

"Matthew's once positive and outgoing personality was now wrought with insecurity and depression."

Via Tributes.com

SEE: SCHOOL BULLIES FORCE GIRL TO DRINK PUDDLE

The heartbroken parents, angry that the school have not told them what has been done with the boy who filmed their son, are hoping their lawsuit will highlight the dangers of cyberbullying.

California has an anti-bullying law which could see the boy who filmed him charged. He has been arrested by the San Diego Police Department over the incident, with a juvenile court hearing set for July 23.

Meanwhile, the girl videoed in the now infamous Magaluf video is still being mercilessly trolled on Twitter and Facebook.

READ: MICHELLE KEEGAN SLAMS ONLINE BULLIES

Fingers crossed that people read about the tragedy in California and learn from it.

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