Ayden Keenan-Olson
Described by his Mom as a sensitive child who planned to start his own anti-bullying campaign, fourteen year old Ayden was no stranger to bullying - It was a daily occurrence at his school. For several years he endured both verbal and physical abuse due to his perceived sexual orientation and the fact he had part Japanese ethnicity.
The Headmaster of Ayden's school confirmed that Ayden reported up to 20 incidents of bullying since joining the school.
In October 2012, the bullying became so extreme that Ayden made an unsuccessful attempt to take his life. He was prescribed medication to help with his suicidal feelings. Shortly before Christmas that same year, he "came out" to his family. He told them that he had found somebody he thought he'd fallen in love with but the feelings weren't reciprocated. Ayden's family supported him 100%. They didn't care about his sexuality, they loved him completely.
Since he "came out" and felt comfortable telling people that he was gay, his Mother says Ayden became a completely different boy. Unfortunately, the bullying continued.
Following his attempt to take his life in October, his family were vigilante about his well being and online safety. Despite them blocking inappropriate websites on the computer, Ayden found a way of bypassing the blocks. No one could have imagined what he was doing - Searching for websites that explained the best way to commit suicide and how to write a suicide note.
The family were also cautious about the amount of medication he had and kept it safely locked away. They later discovered that Ayden had been storing some of it at school.
On March 14th 2013, Aiden committed suicide. He had taken an overdose of his prescription drugs and drank a bottle of red wine. His body was discovered in his bed by his Father. Police found Ayden's bedroom littered with medication packaging alongside the empty bottle of red wine. They also discovered two suicide notes in which Ayden outlined the homophobic and racist bullying he had experienced at school.
The Headmaster of Ayden's school confirmed that Ayden reported up to 20 incidents of bullying since joining the school.
In October 2012, the bullying became so extreme that Ayden made an unsuccessful attempt to take his life. He was prescribed medication to help with his suicidal feelings. Shortly before Christmas that same year, he "came out" to his family. He told them that he had found somebody he thought he'd fallen in love with but the feelings weren't reciprocated. Ayden's family supported him 100%. They didn't care about his sexuality, they loved him completely.
Since he "came out" and felt comfortable telling people that he was gay, his Mother says Ayden became a completely different boy. Unfortunately, the bullying continued.
Following his attempt to take his life in October, his family were vigilante about his well being and online safety. Despite them blocking inappropriate websites on the computer, Ayden found a way of bypassing the blocks. No one could have imagined what he was doing - Searching for websites that explained the best way to commit suicide and how to write a suicide note.
The family were also cautious about the amount of medication he had and kept it safely locked away. They later discovered that Ayden had been storing some of it at school.
On March 14th 2013, Aiden committed suicide. He had taken an overdose of his prescription drugs and drank a bottle of red wine. His body was discovered in his bed by his Father. Police found Ayden's bedroom littered with medication packaging alongside the empty bottle of red wine. They also discovered two suicide notes in which Ayden outlined the homophobic and racist bullying he had experienced at school.
The world is undoubtedly a much darker place since Ayden's light was extinguished.
May he be forever remembered and loved.
May he be forever remembered and loved.