DENVER, Colo. – A Denver mom wants to shine a light on bullying and suicide after the death of her son last week.
The woman said her son killed himself in their home on Thursday. He was 9.
Leia Pierce said bullying was a factor in the death of her son, Jamel Myles. He started fourth grade at Joe Shoemaker Elementary School on Monday.
Over the summer, his mom said he came out to her as gay.
Pierce said her son wanted to tell his classmates about it.
Pierce said when he came out, he opened up about wanting to dress more femininely.
On Thursday, four days into the school year, Jamel took his own life. Pierce found her son dead in their Denver home. She said he killed himself after being bullied.
A letter from Denver Public Schools to families sent Friday said it’s providing extra social workers and its crisis team for students.
In the statement, the district said it will continue to offer support to the family.
Through the devastation, Pierce wants to spread awareness about the effects of bullying.
She said she hopes no parent ever has to go through this pain because their child is different from everyone else.
The Denver Police Department is investigating the death as a suicide.
KDVR
