Former Teacher Posted Tragic Suicide Note on Facebook Before Killing Himself (VIDEO)

maandag 23 september 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Rebecca Stokes 1 hour ago

A former high school teacher took his own life last week after posting a suicide note on Facebook. Sources say the man, Christopher Swanson, 41, was despondent after losing his teaching license and may have been obsessed with a former student.

His body was found in front of a fountain on the Mercyhurst University campus in Erie. Police say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. In previous Facebook posts, Swanson had mentioned that his former student was now a freshman at Mercyhurst, but that is currently unconfirmed. 

The tragic questions: If Swanson was so open about his plans, why did no one reach out to help him until it was too late? Did no one read it? Did no one take him seriously?

In addition to posting on Facebook, Swanson also had a website where he discussed the turns in his life that he believed had contributed to his increasing feelings of hopelessness. Chief among them, his belief that his former student would never reciprocate his feelings.

Adding to this tragedy is that in spite of his website and Internet activity, Swanson was unable to connect with resources that could have provided help. For all its size, the Internet can still be an exceptionally lonely place. What a tragedy.

His death prompted Mercyhurst President Tom Gamble to reach out to the university community via video. Gamble implored people to turn to their faith in this troubling time.

What would you do if you thought you saw a suicide note online?

Please call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in case you are worried about yourself or someone else.

Image via Michael Schreifels/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rebecca Stokes

Rebecca is a writer who lives in Brooklyn with her cats. She is probably even at this moment spilling food on herself.

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Cyber-Bullied 12-Year-Old Girl's Suicide Is a Tragic Reminder

vrijdag 13 september 2013

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by Jacqueline Burt 9 hours ago

Heartbreaking news out of Florida: 12-year-old Rebecca Ann Sedwick committed suicide after being relentlessly bullied online by 15 girls, jumping to her death at a cement plant in her hometown of Lakeland.

As the mother of a 12-year-old girl, just imagining what this child's parents are going through makes me feel utterly ill -- her life had barely begun! But as a former 12-year-old girl, imagining what Rebecca went through makes me feel equally sick. Among the insults her bullies posted on the internet: "Go kill yourself" and "Why are you still alive?"

Just terrible. And here's the part that makes me want to spend 100% of my energy monitoring my daughter's presence online: Sedwick left a series of digital clues before her death. She messaged one friend saying "I'm jumping, I can't take it anymore," and changed her name on a messaging application to "That Dead Girl." 

If only someone had recognized the signs. Sadly, Sedwick isn't the only teen to leave such a trail in recent days ... 

Just weeks ago, on the first day of school in the town where I live (Greenwich, CT), high school sophomore Bart Palosz killed himself with his family's shotgun. In the days and weeks leading up to that tragic day, Palosz posted many suicidal thoughts on social media. Palosz, too, was bullied. 

The girls who drove Rebecca to suicide might be charged with felony cyber stalking, but of course that won't bring her back. We can only hope that other bullied kids are saved as a result of parents and friends hearing Rebecca's story.

If the words someone is using -- even online -- indicate they may be considering suicide, or if you yourself have wrestled with the idea, please reach out to a suicide hotline. There is ALWAYS someone there who wants to listen and who will take you seriously. You can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

How do you think we can help bullied teens? 

Image via NatalieMaynor/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance! 

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Gia Allemand’s Grieving Mom Speaks Out to Tell the Truth About Her Daughter’s Tragic Death

zaterdag 17 augustus 2013

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by Sasha Brown-Worsham Yesterday at 4:25 PM

Beautiful Bachelor and Bachelor Pad star Gia Allemand tragically took her own life this week. The news came as a shock to all those who knew and loved her as well as to all of her fans. Clearly no one saw this coming. By all accounts, Allemand was well-loved by all who knew her. Of course, the tragedy has also brought out those who might seek to profit from someone else's pain.

While many have mourned the beautiful star quietly and appropriately, many others have tried to capitalize on the tragedy. Today, Allemand's mother, Donna Micheletti, issued a statement that disavowed some claiming to be "friends" of Gia just as the horrifying 911 call from boyfriend Ryan Anderson's house was released to the public.

In her statement, Micheletti says:

As her mother, I am well aware of Gia's close friends and her best friends, and I am personally going on record to refute all statements to the media out there thus far with the exception of official statements we have released through publicist Penelope Jean Hayes, and those jointly with Ryan Anderson's NBA team representation. Gia liked everyone and always found the good in people, however there were acquaintances that she had disassociated with whom are now speaking as her close friends. I don't like to give further publicity by mentioning names here, however there is a particular individual, Loredana Ferriolo, identifying herself as Gia's best friend and the fact is that Gia expressed directly to me that she did not trust this individual and her motives for her own public exposure.

Now, obviously, this is what her mother says and it's possible her mother just didn't know her life that well. But still. In addition, she said she would have more to say after the funeral and that the funeral was going to be announced soon. This is just so, so sad. What kind of sick person wants to become famous by using their troubled friend's name?

Whatever went wrong for Gia, there is likely no simple answer. Even people who have her best interest at heart might not be able to answer the most basic questions about what went wrong.

This is a tragedy and clearly a lot of people were kept in the dark. But there is no excuse for this kind of sick behavior. Trying to make money or gain fame off another person's tragedy is about as low as one can go.

Some tragic Hollywood deaths have these kinds of people trailing behind, trying to get in with the media. Good for Gia's mother for having the ability to speak out even in her time of grief. I can't even imagine what she must be feeling now.

There is not much more that can be said except that we all ought to be cautious about what we read and what we believe in the coming weeks. I am guessing this friend mentioned by Allemand's mother may not be the last.

This is just so tragic.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call a suicide prevention hotline. There are always people who want to talk to you and help you. Please reach out to your friends. They want to help. You can reach help at: 1-800-273-TALK.

Why do you think someone would try to profit from another's tragedy?

Image via ABC

Click the "Like" button below if you're a fan of The Bachelor(ette) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sasha Brown-Worsham

can't decide whether she is a mother, writer, or runner, but is usually all three at some point each day. She has written for dozens of print magazines, newspapers, and websites. She rarely ever writes on bathroom walls.

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3-Year-Old's Tragic Drowning Is Why Babysitters Need Rules About Texting and Facebook

donderdag 8 augustus 2013

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by Nicole Fabian-Weber 3 hours ago

It's every mom's worst nightmare. She leaves her child in the care of a babysitter and something happens. Something bad. Whether it's a bump on the head or something much worse, no parent wants to be notified that something happened to their kid on the sitter's watch. Especially if it's something that can't be undone. And especially if it could have easily been avoided.

A 3-year-old girl drowned in a pool recently while a babysitter was supposed to be looking after her. I say "supposed to be" because while the child was playing in the pool, the babysitter was checking Facebook on her phone a few feet away.

Kariasa Thomas, 37, was left in charge of looking after her best friend's four children. The youngest child, Kanyce, didn't know how to swim, but Kariasa let her use the pool anyway. Kariasa reportedly told the girl, who wasn't wearing any flotation devices, to stand on the steps of the pool while her siblings swam. During this time, Thomas proceeded to look at Facebook and play with her pet pit bull for 15 minutes while the kids were in the pool unsupervised. She's been arrested and charged with reckless injury to a child.

If these accusations are true, this is a case in which, well, this woman is a careless moron who should have never been watching a child. But it begs an interesting question for parents who use childcare: Do you have to tell your babysitter to not use their phone?

I, personally, think that being on your smartphone while you're being paid to watch a child is totally unacceptable. If the kid is taking a nap and the sitter wants to peruse Facebook or check their email, fine. But when kids are up and require supervision, absolutely not. Not only is it totally irresponsible, this person is being paid for their services. Lawyers don't sit at their desks, checking Instagram. Waitresses don't send out emails when they're taking people's orders. Getting lost in your phone should be done on your time. Not when you're collecting money from someone else. And especially not when you're watching kids.

It's sad, but I kind of feel like parents really need to reiterate this to people who are going to be watching their children. Stories like this, sadly, are a reminder that a simple message of "Please, no phone while taking care of my child" is in order when leaving our kids with sitters -- even if they're sitters we know and love. It seems obvious, but you never know. Although, not sure it would have made a difference in the case of Kariasa Thomas. Anyone who leaves children who can't swim unattended in a pool needs a lot more than a reminder message.

Thoughts and prayers to Kanyce's family.

Do you remind your sitter to not check their phone?

Image via Don Cornelius/Flickr

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Bride-to-Be Missing Along With Best Man After Tragic Boat Crash (VIDEO)

maandag 29 juli 2013

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by Mary Fischer 36 minutes ago

A bride-to-be who is set to be married just two weeks from today along with the wedding party's best man are missing this morning after a devastating boat crash on the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee Bridge last night.

Thirty-year-old Lindsay Stewart went out for a cruise with her fiancé and four other people when their boat, a 21-foot Stingray power boat, suddenly hit a construction barge which had been put in place for the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Lindsay's fiancé was knocked unconscious after the accident, and managed to call 911 when he finally came to. He was taken to the hospital for his injuries, along with three other people who were reportedly in the water after the crash.

Rescuers searched for the two missing boaters for three hours last night, and the search resumed this morning. Sadly, there is still no sign of Lindsay or the best man, as you will hear in this video clip.

All we can do is hope and pray that both of these people are found and that they wind up being safe somehow. It's so heartbreaking to think about how excited Lindsay must have been about her upcoming wedding -- and to think how something as simple as a group of friends out enjoying a night on the water can take such a tragic turn.

My heart goes out to her family, and to the loved ones of everyone involved in this accident.

What words of support would you offer to the families of the missing boaters?

Image via WABC

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Fischer

is the writer behind The Mommyologist, and the mom of a future famous comedian. Her current loves include cosmopolitans, reality TV, and shoes that don't pinch her feet.

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'Glee' Shouldn't Be Canceled After Cory Monteith's Tragic Death (VIDEO)

donderdag 18 juli 2013

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por Abril Daniels Hussar hace 8 horas

¿Con la noticia de que está siendo cancelada The Glee Project, es la pregunta que naturalmente sigue: dado muerte horrible de Cory Monteith, también debe cancelar Glee ? Los ejecutivos de la red dicen cancelación de The Glee Project no tiene nada que ver con la sobredosis de Monteith, pero funcionarios de Fox aún no saben qué es lo próximo para Glee propia.

Espero que hagan lo que hagan, no deciden cancelar la serie-- por el amor de Cory.

Mucho de lo que hizo Glee, especialmente que mostrar de una gran primera temporada, fueron las actuaciones. Es imposible imaginar cómo habría sido la serie sin adorable, confundido, dulce, talentoso y guapo de Cory Monteith Finn Hudson. Y Sí, es tan difícil (para Monteith de seres queridos, sobre todo, creo) para imaginar el espectáculo sin él. Pero eso es exactamente por eso espero que lo hace.

Entiendo el impulso a pensar que toda la franquicia sólo debería estar terminada. Cuando mi hermana pequeña murió justo después de Navidad el año pasado, no podía creer que la tierra no dejará de girar sobre su eje. ¿Por qué fueron personas todavía caminar alrededor de la tienda de comestibles y conduciendo por la calle, cuando la vida que conocía sentí como que había terminado completamente y para siempre? ¿Cómo se atreve a levanta todas las mañanas y propagando hermosas puestas de sol por el cielo cada noche el sol? "EL MUNDO ESTÁ CANCELADO". Quería gritarle a extraños inocentemente va sobre su negocio.

Siete meses más tarde, todavía siento como, hasta un punto. Algunos días, algunos momentos, son mejores que otros, pero todos los cumpleaños y vacaciones ya que ha sido horrible. Me encuentro, en medio de este hermoso verano, temiendo verdaderamente la acción de Gracias y, especialmente, Navidad. Pero al mismo tiempo, a través de este proceso de duelo, también sé que es bueno y correcto, que el mundo está pasando, que mi mundo está pasando. Es verdad que mi familia y yo estamos continuando a vivir nuestras vidas, aunque es incrédulo a nosotros que somos capaces.

Perder a alguien no significa todo lo que eran perder, ni significa perderlo todo esa persona significa para ti. Luto por alguien que no tiene que ser sobre una negación de la vida hacia adelante. En cambio, me ayuda mucho para tratar de mantener una constante conciencia y la apreciación de que era mi hermana, y que siempre estará conmigo.

Mi le extraño mucho, y estoy enojado... así que muy, muy enojado... acerca de su muerte. Pero yo también estoy tan jodidamente agradecido que llegué a conocerla, que tengo que pasar 25 años en este planeta con ella. Ella es una parte de mí para siempre, y siempre lo haré mi mejor esfuerzo para recordarla y honrarla y estancia como conectado posible con ella. No pondré aquí fotos de mi hermana, o las cosas que me recuerdan a ella, aunque re-break mi corazón ya roto. No quiero gente deje de compartir historias sobre ella, o diciendo su nombre, porque tan fuerte como puede ser, esos recuerdos me traen alegría feroz. Y espero que eso sea lo que decidan hacer para pobres, perdidos Cory Monteith los productores de Glee. Continuar con vida, continuar con esta creación que dio tanto. Mostrar la cara de su personaje, decir su nombre, déjale vivir como viven todos nuestros seres queridos perdidos en nuestros corazones.

Es la mejor manera de honrar Monteith y celebrar su vida demasiado breve todos.

¿Crees que debe cancelarse Glee?

Imagen via Fox/YouTube

Haga clic en el botón "Me gusta" Si eres un Gleek! Sobre el autor April Daniels Hussar

es una chica de California transplantada a la selva de los suburbio de Nueva Jersey y es un escritor amante de zapato, obsesionada con el libro y mamá.

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