92 Comments

• Countryman083 | Aug 01, 2011, 01:44 PM EDT

  It was very tragic & even more given the light punishment to those scum. Those bullies ought to be executed. Any one that wouldn't step in when Phoebe was being bullied is a coward. A curse on them all!

• dearmandie | May 08, 2011, 11:41 AM EDT

  How very sad and tragic. May God be with this sweet girl's family. I pray that this horrific event , brings awareness of bullying in schools and online. How anyone can close their eyes to something that has caused the unecessary death of this beautiful precious child is beyond me. Such a senseless death and waste of a precious life. This leaves me so very sad.

• cuddlybuddly | May 08, 2011, 04:45 AM EDT

  What goes around comes around, they will all suffer for this unless they are psychopaths and then they will re offend until locked up...Phoebe is free and at peace

• harryfee | May 07, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT

  sad, so sad. it breaks my heart.

• JessicaD | Apr 27, 2011, 11:53 AM EDT

  This is very sad and bullies are pathetic. Its too bad nobody did anything to help her at school, and I hope the school as well as the bullies are held responsible. I have to say two other things referring to the comments posted on here by "raynandsnow". You know nothing of this girl to say she's probably in beginning stages of bi-polar, which is another word for manic-depressive. The most obvious signs of this disorder ar e extreme mood swings, such as being very excitable to the point where it doesn't make sense to ppl around you, acting that way for no reason; being very hyper active "manic". Then suddenly without warning the person gets extremely sad, or mad accompanied by crying, screaming ect. Its bad to speak out about a person u know nothing more about than she sadly commited suicide, and label her with a serious mental illness such as bi-polar. We obviously know she must have been sad, very unhappy, and probably scared but nothing more. Lastly, no one who committs suicide is "being brave" as u suggested! Being brave is facing your fears and conquering them. There's nothing brave about killing yourself. Infact just the opposite! Its a weak, cowardly thing to do and ppl choose to do it bc/ they feel its an easy way out, not bc they are facing their fears. No disrespect for the Prince girl or her family is intended here. Kirk Cobain or any of the others you mentioned, are definitely "NOT" being brave either! If you really feel this way you should speak to a licensed therapist, or psychiatrist who can talk with you about the way you feel. Reading what you wrote makes me very concerned for you. If you want to talk with someone, but don't know how please call your local "Family Independent Agency" and they can direct you to the right ppl.

• lostgirl26 | Apr 13, 2011, 05:28 PM EDT

  I myself was bullied when I was 12 (Am now 16) but there was nothing done about it apart from the teacher 'talking' to them about it. I was told the next day by the girl to 'keep your mouth shut' and that was my breaking point. I knew i could either fight this or succumb to it. After she said those four words to me I knew i didn't care anymore what she did to me, she then pushed me into the sink and I turned around and I stood directly in front of her and said that no matter what she has said or done to me I won't allow it anymore and she won't do it anymore. She didn't do anything after that and was the day I stood up to her and became myself again. I She had made me feel the lowest of the low and unworthy.I knew this was going to lead me that way and I know now that if I didn't 'fight' back that i would end up like Pheobe and I am thankful that I am not because if i didn't i wouldn't still be here. I have since found out that it was from jealousy and because i was 'smarter' than her (i am not saying i am just giving the reason why this happened) and she called me 'nerd, dork, freak'. I think that NO ONE should be punished for who they are and no one else has the right to do that and what makes it worse is that this is happening to people at such a young age and at places where we are meant to feel safe but people turn a blind eye to it. The people who know about it yet CHOOSE to do nothing are just as bad as the bullies because they are allowing this to happen. It is sickening.

• raynandsnow | Mar 19, 2011, 01:08 PM EDT

  Pnoebe didn't deserve any bit of that bullying. She probably was in the early stages of developing bi-polar disorder and all that abuse just pushed her over the edge. Many sufferers of that condition don't make it to old age. Her low was just so dark, she couldn't think of anyone else on that night, even her lovely sister. She was brave in a way, I know most people will never understand that point of view. She just wanted to finish it. She was honest to herself, she just wasn't prepared to live with the seemingly endless darkness. Jim Morrison called a song after that feeling; 'End of the Night'. He ended it too, as did Kurt Cobain, Mark Rotko, Kurt(?) Smith of Joy Division, and so many others. I was stopped in my tracks more than once. Eventually I learnt to cope, Phoebe was only 15, and knew exactly how to go. I didn't and live to tell the tale. I know exactly what Phoebe went through.

• raynandsnow | Feb 26, 2011, 12:20 AM EST

  I just cant understand the evil inflicted on this poor little teenage girl. I cried many times over it, and I never even met her or anyone close to her. I have decided to honor her memory through an art exhibition. I travelled all the way from Cork, Ireland to Springfield MA to get inspiration for it. I would like to speak with a relative or friend of Phoebe before I go home on Tuesday if possible, it would really mean a lot to me. I wrote this poem back in Ireland; 'The Talk of The Nation' (Title) The Bald eagle a national symbol One nation under God Stripped to the bone God's Country torn and bleeding Decades of growth flung in her face The face of Phoebe is all I can see Brought to the edge of extinction Like our feathered friends Our Native Americans She is dead now but her spirit lives America the beautiful was lost on her and lost on me Phoebe you made the snows return to Ireland and drove screaming blizzards to bury New England Everything pure and white now mourns your loss Even the tundra swans are coming South now They miss their mother She was a mother of pearl She was just a girl Defenseless she swallowed so much In the end she swallowed the poison Bitter pills are never enough Late last night I thought I heard a mute swan singing As she lay dyeing, ice-fast on Lake Champlain Close your eyes, she sang You can close your eyes now Phoebe Its alright We're on our way back home.

• BeenThere | Feb 23, 2011, 12:23 AM EST

  All bullies have low self-esteem issues. Some are also very cold hearted. The combination of the two will most likely produce the criminals or terrorists of that generation. Any bully not feeling some remorse after one's death is a cold-hearted criminal-in-the-making...and yes, some jail time for these individuals would be well-deserved. We should not be waiting until they become hard-core criminals to do something about it. We should not allow them the opportunity to hurt another soul. Feb 23rd is "Anit-bully" day here in Canada and I will be wearing "pink" that day to remind everyone of it! To remind everyone to treat eachother with respect and dignity - whether we are blue, white, red, yellow, orange, brown, black or green; whether we are dirt poor, poor, middle class poor, simply middle class, rich or just plain billionaires; whether we are educated or uneducated; whether we come from Venus or Mars, Pluto or Jupiter, or wherever. Whatever our differences, we should celebrate them not degrade them, for those differences colour our otherwise black and white world and aren't all the colors of the world more wonderful then simply black and white? Phoebe Prince, you were one of the colours of this world -and while you left a beautiful bright coloured "painting" long before you departed this world - it's shimmering brighter and more prominent now!!!

• gino466 | Feb 13, 2011, 12:18 PM EST

  hopefully these idiots will see some jail time they richly deserve it

• mamaginnty | Feb 13, 2011, 10:22 AM EST

  My heart goes out to the family, and phoebe R.I.P. times have changed so, at 15 they are no longer children, they know exactly what they are doing. This bunch should be put in stocks in front of the school and ridiculed with rotten fruit etc, then put to work around the area where Phoebe lived. As for M.COLLINS, I fully agree with AYLWARD, he is a hypocrite.

• howareya | Feb 10, 2011, 11:52 AM EST

  My daughter was bullied in 2nd grade by another girl. Went to the school twice and nothing was done about it but "talking" to the girl. I finally found that girl and scared the cr@p out of her. Bingo...no more bullying! Although she was young enough to be afraid of me. Of course that was 20 some years ago too...might be arrested today!

• ATGAUST42 | Jan 19, 2011, 12:30 AM EST

  Wow Aylward, maybe you shouldnt be using words like hypocrite. You are a bully

• brooklyntirconn | Jan 17, 2011, 09:27 AM EST

  Things like this really piss me off my son suffered from bullying even to this day at 20 years old he has self esteem issues it ruined his whole chilidhood and you hear the same thing all the time but nobody cares until one of these kids takes up a gun and shoots up the place u look at all school shootings the common thing about the kids doing the shooting is that they were bullied

• jeaninesoothow | Nov 28, 2010, 02:48 AM EST

  What a terrible tragedy! I cannot believe one of the bullies wrote 'accomplished' on her fb page. So outraged! Oh what is this world coming to?!? My heart goes out to her family. Such a beautiful and vibrant young girl with so much ahead for her in life!! RIP Phoebe Prince.

• HurtnLove18 | Nov 23, 2010, 01:32 PM EST

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHOEBE PRINCE R.I.P.

• HurtnLove18 | Nov 23, 2010, 01:31 PM EST

  My heart goes out to her family that wrong for people to bully i been threw it.I had no self esteem.In i wish i could get ahold of one of her parents i dedicated a poem to her and her parents.i understand where they are coming from i really do.

• gino466 | Oct 08, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT

  this is one of the most revolting stories i have ever read- I hope these people are put in prison for many years if I was the judge I would have no mercy for these animals

• Aylward | Oct 07, 2010, 03:47 PM EDT

  To the poster "Michael Collins" who condemns bullies as "faggot wankers". Get a clue. Using the term "faggot" puts you in that group of people who bully gay teenagers into suicides. What a flaming hypocrite you are! You are no better than the bullies who hounded Phoebe to her death. Secondly, change your screen name - you are a disgrace to the memory of Michael Collins.

• feistyeire | Oct 06, 2010, 02:07 PM EDT

  This is absolutely horrific! My heart breaks for her family! These kids should be held fully responsible for her death, & the school officials should be next in line! Please kids, talk to your parents, church, counselors, neighbors, somebody, anybody! Please don't end your life over these hateful cretins! PLEASE GET HELP! PLEASE DON'T LET THEM WIN! YOU ARE WORTHY OF A LONG FULFILLING HAPPY LIFE!! YOU DESERVE MORE!!!

• SeamusMor | Sep 24, 2010, 01:10 PM EDT

  I hope that arrogant punk Sean Mulveyhill gets gang raped in prison!

• GREYHOUND6119 | Aug 16, 2010, 03:22 PM EDT

  I THINK THAT THE SUPERINTENDT OF THIS SCHOOL SHOULD BE FIRED AS WELL AS THE OTHER WITNESSES. TO WITNESS SUCH AWFUL THINGS AS THIS AND NOT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A CRIME

• michaelcollins | Jul 27, 2010, 10:46 AM EDT

  i went to school with animals...i mean proper scumbags...yea i got bullied...but you should see the bullies now....i passed one muppet the other day je was begging for money for his heroin addiction it was great to see him looking like a zombie.....what comes around goes around...these shower of faggot wankers that bullied phoebe will get theres in the end

• sailmaker | Jun 23, 2010, 11:11 AM EDT

  The continuing revelation of facts related to this case still pull at the heart-strings. I am mystified that people in authority (the school) could continue to claim to have been completely blind. This beautiful life was lost; those in authority continue to deny responsibility. I keep waiting for someone to man up and take responsibility, and suspect that no one ever will unless the district attorney makes them! What a tragedy, and it just keeps on giving . . . .

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• HEARTLESSWORLD | Jun 06, 2010, 08:25 AM EDT

  Also there are too many kids growing up behind the screen of the internet,which is largely unsupervised,and the problem with this internet,is there is no stringent censorship or control that you have with the T.V.This breeds apathy and hate,amongst the young..There are generations younger than me still in their teens and some who have left the school system in their early 20's,who are not at all as human as the last generation. I admit to being a latch key kid,i had a good childhood,because parents took the time to EXPLAIN TELEVISION. Couple all these home factors with their own personality problems and you have heartless bullies,some even willing to kill and maim..

• HEARTLESSWORLD | Jun 06, 2010, 08:20 AM EDT

  It is about time on of the heavy weight lawyers started chasing up these cases,and putting the misery to rest,there is a lot of bullying is schools in ireland,and teachers just walk past,SOME TO THIS DAY IN IRELAND EVEN PARTICIPATE,AND EVEN TURN STUDENTS AGAINST THE YOUNG VICTIMS..I have experienced this when i was about 9 or 10,the thought of suicide did cross my mind,but then i figured the world would turn,and my parents always gave me good advice KICK THEIR F****G ASS!Which back then did work a treat,i went in the next day and gave kelly nolan the hardest punch in the face i could as a measly child but it worked none the less and i have never looked back since! American schools are worse for bullying though,there is so much cliqueness,which you don't get in irish schools,and being honest i think it is out of control..Something needs to be done about this cliqueness,i think it can make bullying worse,and make certain kids feel like there worthless because they are not in a clique etc..Which does not matter in ten years from now..trust me while they are all welfare mommas,you actually have a day to look forward to..

• Chemteach | May 27, 2010, 02:04 PM EDT

  My understanding is that "accomplished" was not posted on Phoebe Prince's wall, but rather, was the status of one of the alleged bullies on her own Facebook site. However,one of the bullies did post "she deserved it" on Phoebe's Memorial Facebook Page. How utterly thoughtless and cruel. In the process of teaching Phoebe a lesson about the caste structure and pecking order in an American High School, the alleged bullies thoroughly ruined their own lives. Whether they will ever experience any remorse for their actions is problematic. Some of them might while others will probably feel unjustly persecuted because they cannot step beyond their own narcissism. Convicted or not they will exist as pariahs outside of their own families. Even their fellow perps will probably turn against them and turn states evidence in exchange for reduced charges. Obviously, maturity, judgement, and empathy were not part of their character set and a debacle resulted therefrom. There is plenty of blame to spread around in this tragedy. One very insightful commentator likened many American High Schools to prisons which are actually run by the convict trustees and where harassment, mayhem, and assaults are every day occurances and where the administraion thereof has delegated its legal and moral responsibilities and turns a blind eye in order to make its job easier. The "cool kids" (queenbees, wannabees, and athletes)at SHHS ran the school at the sufferance of the both the administration and the social culture in the South Hadley Community. Only successful "wrongful death" civil suits will engender any remorse on the part of the administrators or lead to their resignations.

• phoebesupporter | May 20, 2010, 09:47 AM EDT

  You will always be remembered but you should've waited a little more. You bullies should be ashamed of yourselves. ACCOMPLISHED?! SERIOUSLY? By killing someone's heart. Ok, that's great.

• keano276 | May 12, 2010, 06:45 AM EDT

  why hasn't somebody burned down the school? Or burned the teachers, or the bullies? if it was my daughter, I would!!

• YoungPike | May 09, 2010, 12:08 PM EDT

  I am appalled at the way Phoebe Prince was treated by those vile girls. If my own daughter was pushed into ending her life by such cruelty I would be tempted to take the law into my own hands. I just hope that all those who tormented her never find peace of mind and go on to live wretched lives.

• Erinona | Apr 15, 2010, 02:12 PM EDT

  "Accomplished"??!! This person is this disgustingly callous about human life and they are only in high school!!! This kid needs to be locked up for the safety of others for sure! How can a CHILD think that causing the suicide of another is an accomplishment??! Horrifying. Future pshycopath.

• Irishgeri | Apr 15, 2010, 11:28 AM EDT

  This is deplorable. I do hope that Facebook banished him, and gave their information to the police so steps can be taken! Do they still have reform schools?.

• southcountykelly | Apr 14, 2010, 03:20 PM EDT

  I don't mean to monopolize, but I'm infuriated. One bully incident..go thOe the school authorities..suspension. Two bully incidents..EXPULSION LET THEM STAND ON A STREET CORNER, WHERE THEY BELONG...AND MATURE INTO EVEN BIGGER THUGS..aT LEAST OUR CHILDREN WILL BE PROTECTED BECAUSE WE'LL ALL BE ABLE TO READILY IDENTIFY THEM ON their favorite street corner. POST THEIR PICTURES TOO AT THE MALLS SO THEY CAN'T HANG OUT THERE.

• southcountykelly | Apr 14, 2010, 03:03 PM EDT

  These bullies are SOCIOPATHS. THEY DON'T KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG. I'll bet their parents don't either! The schools sound like they've turned into quasi- cess pools forcompletely aberrant behavior. Have any teachers and or administrators written in?

• southcountykelly | Apr 14, 2010, 02:49 PM EDT

  As a former teacher in Chicago, I think the alleged bullies need to be questioned immediately, and directed to school authorities to determine if there is immediate legal recourse. I personally have gone up to bullies and confronted them and said, " if you're doing such and such, STOP1' I'M TIRED OF SOME OF OUR FUTURE SOCIOPATHS taking over and impinging upon the rights and well beingof others. These situations should be the dialogue of every parent and society as a whole. What kinds of homes are these bullies coming from? Maybe they need to be removed from the home.

• Christisall | Apr 12, 2010, 10:26 AM EDT

  Rest in peace, Phoebe.

• katieusau2fan | Apr 12, 2010, 10:07 AM EDT

  Do not know about Massachusetts. Once a friend of mine and I were driving around in her car down in South Boston (1981). The car had Pennsylvania tags. We got yelled at, saying go home and even chased by someone in a car. And in school there growing up in the early to late 60's was a target for bullies too, never had new clothes, was being mentally abused at home every day, so never was a good student. Then no one at school (ie teachers etc) cared. Am glad there was no internet then, so that is a blessing or may have ended up like poor Phoebe. My prayers are with her family, and for all people who are bullied by small minded children.

• peggy9550 | Apr 12, 2010, 08:59 AM EDT

  there is really nothing more to say. I agree with all of you. This is absolutely henious. Where were the parents of these bullies? I often wonder why these people have children....are they mistakes of sex? Godspeed sweet Phoebe. Peace and Love to your family and real friends.

• simplesandy | Apr 12, 2010, 05:00 AM EDT

  Dear God this is sad,, and I bet not a one of these little deamons think they did anything wrong...but not to worry because sometime in this life or in their life hereafter they will not only feel the pain they inflicted on her but the pain of the familys they saddened by her death...wow I would not want to be in their shoes...

• tjbbpgobIII | Apr 11, 2010, 06:36 PM EDT

  I've commented on the other page about this young woman but here I'll say something about the demons who bullied her. I would hope they recieve a little jail time but that is probably not going to happen. I would really like for their parents to be HEAVILY fined. Maybe loosing a lot of money would make them see the light because it is their fault for not raising them properly. It also says a lot about societys permissive attitudes towards the raising of children and I dare say that it's not only in America where this has happened.

• Skylar5 | Apr 09, 2010, 02:39 PM EDT

  "Accomplished"...Phoebe is finally dead, that was their ultimate intent. Forget Bullycide, these monsters should be charged with first degree murder. That's what this is, plain and simple. I've been out of high school for many years, and I just cannot believe what's happening to our children..better yet, what our children are doing to one another. Such blatant disregard for human life. Phoebe was a beautiful and sweet, but fragile soul something which her tormenters immediately focused on. Perfect and easy prey. (The reason why they were so successful in tormenting her...that and faulty parenting and worthless school adminstrators.) I cannot imagine why they hated, truly hated her so much. The bullying was nonstop, vicious, and escalating out of control. To think that the star quarterback of the football team was picking on Phoebe. He dated her briefly; did he truly hate her or was he just caught up in the madness? I know I'm old school, but I thought boys are taught not to pick on girls, not to hurt girls...hmm. Anyway, I'm just afraid that when the trial begins in September (if the date isn't pushed back even further), that public anger will wane. Maybe more of Tiger Wood's mistresses will come out of the closet, or Kate Gosslein will become pregnant (again)...who knows, the media is filled with such mindless trash, anything to divert our attention from truly newsworthy stories. I fear that the defense attorneys will assasinate Phoebe's character and make the defendants out to be nice, innocent kids underneath it all who really meant no harm. There must be justice for Phoebe. The South Hadley Six are nothing but a bunch of sociopaths and their punishment should be swift and severe. I wish Phoebe didn't leave her tidy village home on the west coast of Ireland to reside in Massachusetts. She'd be happy, she'd be alive today Godspeed to Phoebe and her family. My heart is breaking.

• RethaMilligan | Apr 09, 2010, 11:12 AM EDT

  I volunteer in my daughter's highschool, and the things I see and hear on a daily basis shocks me. I cannot believe that young adults think this way, talk this way and it is okay with their parents. I volunteer out of self defence. To be near my daughters. To have a look into their life in highschool. Maybe these kids parents should spend some time in high school to get a real good look at the monsters they have raised. Diffrence will always be a subject of contempt until we have a global change of mind and behavior, and it should start the day our children are born. God bless this poor girls family. God help the kids that did this to her. There is a place in hell waiting for them.

• venicementor | Apr 09, 2010, 01:25 AM EDT

  EveryDayDad on Apr 05, 2010 - sounds to me like you are typical individual who blames the victims of crime. You would probably blame the victims of a murder by saying that they shouldn't have been there so that the killer could not have killed them, and then want to sue the remaining family for not taking the victims out of town so that they couldn't have been murdered. Sounds ridiculous? Not as ridiculous as you. You need a compassion check pal, but then you are probably a parent of one of the perps.

• redhead74 | Apr 08, 2010, 07:53 PM EDT

  EveryDayDad's comments lead me to believe he is the parent of one of the bullies. I've seen his screen name on several different sites as I've been researching this and he has the most ridiculous comments about this story. Going from story to story/site to site to make sure to tell everyone that this CHILD made a "CHOICE" to take her own life and she was going to do it whether those BRATS picked on her or not sounds like the desperate attempt of a parent attempting to sway a possible jury. If you ARE in fact one of these parents, you should be ashamed of yourself for completely failing in your one responsibility that you had toward your own child. If you ARE NOT the parent and you just talk non sense from site to site, shame on you for your obvious ignorance. The reason society doesn't allow children to get drivers licenses, buy homes and get credit cards is because they lack the mental capacity to think about the long term consequences. They turn to adults to help them make decisions when they are lost and confused. The adults failed this child and that's obvious. If people were reaching out to Phoebe and welcoming her into this new town, making her comfortable and inviting her to be friends do you really think she was going to kill herself? I can't even believe someone would have to break that down to you. Just plain ignorant. Wow.

• shuvonn | Apr 08, 2010, 03:53 AM EDT

  EveryDayDad: you come across as judgmental and holier than thou, not to mention POMPOUS regarding your views of the situation. How dare YOU judge as to whether the kids who bullied be let off, quite frankly I am glad you do not get to decide that. You want to let the bullies go free without consequences, and charge the parents?? You have obviously NO idea about children, and or teenagers grasp on long term consequences of actions, and you have the balls to chide Phoebe on her choice? How heartless you come across. And you also come across like are an authoritarian parent and delusional if you think that ANY school would let you sit in all day. You ignore that the mother did speak to the school ( how inconvenient facts are) and have NO idea what YOU would do in the same situation that family found themselves in.I hope it keeps fine for ya....

• Wesfanemt333 | Apr 07, 2010, 05:38 PM EDT

  Had I pulled a stunt like these kids; especially the one who wrote "accomplished" on Phoebe's facebook page, my parents would have tanned my hide. And rightfully so.

• Maura1980 | Apr 06, 2010, 10:01 PM EDT

  I disagree...everydad is NOT out of his mind. As an American, and a resident of Massachusetts I am horrified at what has happened to this poor girl. The punks who tormented beautiful Phoebe Prince are not being charged with murder - but rather, with assault and harrasment. How easy do YOU think it is to be a 15 year old in a new country having to dodge cans and bottles while trying to make it to your class? How would you, as a FIFTEEN YEAR OLD, deal with people telling you that you were worth nothing, raping you, calling an 'irish wh---e,' stalking you, and physically assaulting you?? This is a HATE CRIME. Plain and simple. The kids who did this to her need to be held accountable. Parents...discipline your children. As a parent, your #1 responsibility is making sure you raise mature, healthy, GOOD people. These parents did NOT do that. Continue to look the other way America....it will continue to come back and bite us in the @##! Parents need to parent their children. And this 'anything goes' crap allowed in schools needs to be done away with! You misbehave...you have no rights...go work at McDonalds...as a taxpayer...you don't deserve my money. What a travesty. On behalf of the state of MA and the country of America I apologize for the injustice done to this beautiful little girl. May justice prevail!

• rockalittle | Apr 06, 2010, 07:10 PM EDT

  Everydaydad is completely out of his mind. Teenagers can easily be driven to suicide. When you are at that age every problem is overwhelming. Being bullied is horrible. Everywhere you go you feel like you are under attack. Sexual activity does not mean a teenager has problems. It simply means they acted on normal human drives. And not that it needs an excuse but people would be amazed at the promiscouity(?) among teens in Ireland. Please don't go crazy and flame me based on this comment. I am only repeating what I've read and seen reported regarding teen pregnancy. teenagers in different communities have different standards. That doesn't mean they have suicidal tendencies. She was lonely and victimized. Nothing will bring her back. The parents of the accused are responsible in many ways. But that doesn't merit charging them. What is also very sad is that now they will try to paint a picture of this poor girl as an unstable sexually immoral teen in an effort to defend the horrifying behavior of their children. Sad sad..... I really hate facebook and all those social networking sites. I am not blaming them for this incident but it's certainly a lot easier to be cruel and viciuos online than in person. Poor child. Rest In Peace Phoebe.

• NancyLou9 | Apr 06, 2010, 02:57 PM EDT

  tinasmith - whether she had sex with them or not is irrelevant, IMHO. If they were bragging (and there's probably a good chance that's what it is) it's landing them in court with criminal charges for statutory rape, a pretty serious offense. To be sure, what a beautiful young girl, with so much promise, now gone due to the sociopathic tendencies of these nine (or more?) children. I agree the parents should be punished as well and I hope Phoebe's parents have hired an attorney to make financially responsible not just the bullies but their parents and the school district, naming each administrator individually. Phoebe has the face of an angel and this is so wrong on so many levels.

• tinasmith | Apr 05, 2010, 09:06 PM EDT

  How do we know that she had sex with them? Maybe the boys were lying in order to make themselves look good and that was part of the bullying and abuse that she went through. If they were bragging about having sex with her, maybe prosecutors are just pulling out all of the guns and charging them with statutory rape because they went around talking about sex with her which may or may not be true.

• tinasmith | Apr 05, 2010, 09:01 PM EDT

  Bullying is criminal. It should be added as a charge in the criminal justice system. Bullycide should be used along with the words homicide and suicide when ruling a cause of death. This was not normal teenage behavior. This was criminal. She was tormented and harassed. Many kids grow up in difficult homes where they do not get the help they need in developing self-confidence, self-esteem, or assertiveness but that does not give bullies (sociopaths) the right to take advantage of that and torment and harass a person to death.

• tinasmith | Apr 05, 2010, 08:12 PM EDT

  Why are the parents of the bullies not being blamed? It was their responsibly to teach their children about kindness and respect or at least to teach their children not to be violent and abusive of another human being. Teachers and schools cannot be responsible for raising kids which is becoming the expectation. Schools should expel at the first sign of bullying however.

• EveryDayDad | Apr 05, 2010, 07:34 PM EDT

  Did anyone stop to consider that if someone really wants to take their own life and carry's it out, that there is absolutely nothing anyone else can do about it? All the blaming doesn't bring the suicidal person back or teach kids that life gets rough sometimes and to ask for help (primarily from their parents if they are kids). There was more broke in that home than has surfaced here is my thought. Especially if your a minor. She obviously wasnt an angel with whats been printed here about her having sex with at least two of the football players. Sounds like pretty normal teenage behavior (except the multi-partner sex and the suicide).

• FromAsia | Apr 05, 2010, 05:49 PM EDT

  I disagree with someone here who wrote "Girls treat each other horribly in the teen years...it's a part of growing up." No, you can not write nasty things on her facebook after she hand herself. The fact that some people continue to do that show they are too mean or evil.

• robie46 | Apr 05, 2010, 02:15 PM EDT

  I thought that by now I would have been able to come up with something cogent to say about this horrific incident but I am still in shock that teenagers can be so devoid of feeling as to push a fellow student to suicide. Phoebe was a victim of her own popularity as the jealousy of other girls who felt they were better than her reared its ugly head. There is no excuse for any of these teenager's behavior and the fact that they continued to taunt her even after her death shows that they have no place in a civilized society. I do hope that they receive the punishment they so richly deserve and that they are shown just what monsters they are. God bless you, Phoebe.

• shuvonn | Apr 05, 2010, 12:30 PM EDT

  I find it disturbing that some of you want to blame the parents. I also find it disturbing that you are questioning how bad it was? OBVIOUSLY PHOEBE thought it was and in case you are not familiar with the emotional make up of children ( teenagers ARE still children) they have NO idea of theWe long term consequences of choices they make which is why sexting is an issue. Also the idiot who stated she has sex willingly? Were YOU THERE, is THAT how you KNOW? IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A BOY TO HAVE SEX WITH AN UNDERAGE CHILD!!! She was only 15, and that is JAILBAIT! I truly hope some of you do NOT have kids.... you are making excuses for the cruel, mean and heartless behavior of these ANIMALS!!

• surfclub66 | Apr 05, 2010, 11:45 AM EDT

  In every school in America, kids get bullied, yet few kill themselves over it. Most of them grow up to be strong, productive people who use that experience to grow stronger from it. I was bullied viciously as a child and the idea of killing myself would never have crossed my mind. Girls treat each other horribly in the teen years...it's a part of growing up. Yes, the school should have stepped in when it occurred on school grounds, but in reality, they have no control over what teens are posting online or doing off of school grounds. Children should be taught manners and common decency both at home and at elementary levels and that would make a difference. Also, girls today are really being brought up with a girls gone wild mentality... if some of these boys are being charged with statutory rape, that means this girl willingly had sex with them and that is why she was called a slut....bullying works two ways....a lot of lives are being ruined over this case, not just Phoebe's. In stead of a witch hunt, I'd like to hear both sides of the story. Yes, I'm sure these girls were jealous, but there has to be more to this story.

• battlefront | Apr 05, 2010, 07:29 AM EDT

  from what I read in the papers here in Ireland the family were considering moving back to Co. Clare in a few months time, so maybe that was their answer to the problem. I can't believe that adults in the School knew that all this was going on and did nothing about it. I only hope that they can live the consequences of their actions or inaction as the case may be.

• CullenAbroad | Apr 04, 2010, 08:45 PM EDT

  I agree totally with EveryDayDad. It starts in the home......But the educators are ADULTS and should have (and I believe did) know what was going on - and dd nought. Shame on them! "Home of the brave" how are?

• EveryDayDad | Apr 04, 2010, 01:22 PM EDT

  IN RESPONSE TO MICHEAL COLLINS - When it comes to protecting/HELPING my kids IN EXTEME CONDITIONS, AS A PARENT I AM IT. PERIOD. IF I HAVE TO SIT IN SCHOOL WITH MY KIDS, I DO IT. I POLLED MY KIDS OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL LAST YEAR BECAUSE THEY JOINED A MOTOCROSS RACE TEAM. NOT FOR DISCPLINE, NOT BECAUSE THE SCHOOL HAD PROBLEMS. THEY ARE BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOL AND YES ITS A HARSH ENVIRONMENT BUT LOOK AT THE WORL WE ADULTS HAVE CREATED. MURDER AND CORRUPTION EVERYWHERE. VIOLENCE AND SEX ON TV EVERYWHERE - EVAN THE CARTOONS! I LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY I NEVER HEARD OF PHOEBE BEFORE. EVERY SUICIDE IS A MAJOR TRAGEDY. WHAT SUICIDE DOESNT HAVE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS? WHAT IM HEARING FROM MOST HERE IS DELIVERING A DANGEROUS MESSAGE TO KIDS EVERYWHERE, "THAT SUICIDE IS JUSTIFIABLE UNDER SOME CONDITIONS." I REFUSE TO ACCEPT AND WILL ARGUE THAT TO THE END WITH MY OWN KIDS. LETS KEEP IT REAL AND KEEP OUR KIDS ALIVE PEOPLE. DONT JUSTIFY SUICIDE IN ANY WAY. SEEK HELP, CHANGE THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. WE WILL JUST LOSE MORE KIDS TO SUICIDE. KNOW YOUR KIDS ENVIRONMENT (GO TO SCHOOL ONCE IN A WHILE - ITS YOUR RIGHT) IF ITS NOT HEALTHY FOR THEM. LIFE IS NOT A JOHN MAYER SONG, QUIT "WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE." IT'S GETTING WORSE. ITS AMAZING HOW A BULLY'S ATTITUDE CHANGES WHEN THEY SEE A PARENT WITH THEIR CHILD AT SCHOOL. TRY IT ONCE AND SEE. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE. I DO HOPE THESE BULLYS GET IN TROUBLE AND DELIVER A STRONG MESSAGE THAT BULLYING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WE THE ADULTS HAVE CREATED A CRUEL WORLD WITH SENSLESS KILLING AND WARS. WATCH TV, NOTHING BUT SEX AND VIOLENCE - EVEN THE CARTOONS. PARENTS NEED TO HAVE LESS FEAR AND LESS FAITH AND NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE ACTION AND GET INVOLVED. GO TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR KID ONCE IN A WHILE. LET THE BULLYS KNOW YOUR KIDS HAS A SOLID LOVING PARENT BEHIND THEM. I JUST HOPE MY KIDS EVER TAKE THEIR LIFE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. SUICIDE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM.

• OhCaroline | Apr 04, 2010, 12:53 PM EDT

  As a victim of jealous bullies in high school in the late 70's/early 80's, my heart leaps out to what Phoebe went through. I SO wish I could have known her when she was going through all of this! I, myself, barely made it out of the bullying alive and I would've liked to let Phoebe know that she was not alone and that she would make it through to triumph over those petty, horrible people. Whoever posted 'accomplished' on her FB memory page needs to be tried for murder. As an adult. And we must raise our children to stand up to bullies, to be strong and if that doesn't work, us fellow parents must take STRONG action. At the very least, switch schools! I've always said girls can be vicious and I dread when my daughter becomes a teen. Phoebe, I am soooo sorry, honey. I wish more than anything I could've known you!!

• manhattan | Apr 03, 2010, 11:26 AM EDT

  We are raising monsters in this country. They have no compassion, no sense of right or wrong. My Grandson who loves to sing and act in school plays since he is little has been tortured for years as being GAY. I wouldn't blame a kid for not trying out for shows or being extremely smart dumb it down in order to survive. What a mess. My heart goes out to that family and all kids that are bullied.

• ericalaughlin | Apr 03, 2010, 10:04 AM EDT

  I forgot to add...for those who wonder why her mother didn't take her out of the school...that is a good question but I wonder if she really knew what her options were? They JUST moved here from Ireland, perhaps thay had no idea what their options were or how to go about them. We don't know if it was something she was considering or trying to find out. Also, she was assured twice by the staff that everything was okay, that there was no problem, that any issue would be handled appropriately.

• ericalaughlin | Apr 03, 2010, 10:00 AM EDT

  Wonderpanties...YES!!! I immediately caught that and wasn't sure if anyone else did! Let me tell you..stories have been changing quite a bit around here.

• Rachellemarie | Apr 03, 2010, 04:24 AM EDT

  Learned Behavior! The Students are under "18" the Parents are responsible! Morals, and parenting, you are responsible for your child and their behavior until they are "18" They knew what was going on.And they didnt stop it. Or they were so wrapped up in their own lives, and neglected to pay attention to what was truly going on with their childs life. Which in turn is Child Neglect on their Part! They should be charged anyway! This is the most sickening story I HAVE heard in all my life. Children taking their own lives, because some insecure spoiled,Jealous, probably unpleasing to look at, and selfish little scandulous skanks arent getting their way with the popular boys at school. HMMMMMMMMMMM sounds like a personal problem. Investigate these kids parents. You will find alot of problems. The Parents need to pay, along with the sociopath kids.

• msheffield | Apr 03, 2010, 04:00 AM EDT

  First of all, what drove these girls to do this in the first place? Are their family lives that horrible that they must inflict their pain on this innocent girl?

• vander1 | Apr 03, 2010, 02:44 AM EDT

  There is a psychological definition for people such as these girls and their supporters like "Everydaydad".The term is sociopath.They feel no remorse, no empathy.They have no conscience.They live only for themselves.What I have just read from this man "everydaydad", is so incredibly absurd, it leaves me with one conclusion.He has got to be the "everyday dad", of one of these "every day girls ".The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, ya know? Thankfully, many of them eventually end up in prison.

• JusticeforPhoeb | Apr 03, 2010, 12:10 AM EDT

  Just amazing that someone has the gall to blame Phoebe's mother and insist that she should have pulled the child from Hadley and home schooled her. In America, you pay taxes so that your child can attend a public school. How dare anyone question Phoebe's right to attend class in her own town! Rather then have Phoebe change her life, why didn't the adults in charge of the school see to it that the child was protected and not harassed on a daily basis? Why did they ignore the MOTHERS complaints? What a heartbreaking story---particularly when this could have been prevented by the adults who were in authority at the high school. My condolences to the Prince family. I do hope that she did not die in vain, and that her experience is used as a cautionary tale that will get people in positions of authority to act.

• michealcollins | Apr 02, 2010, 11:00 PM EDT

  In response to Everydaydad, if the administration and teachers had have been doing their jobs, this would have been avoided. To turn this around and blame the mother is beyond comprehension. Are you a friend of one of the accused? Furthermore, bullying doesn't mean physical force being applied. Verbal abuse is as bad as being physically abused. "These kids accused should be let off"? Where is the logic in that? So they are not to be held responsible? Talk about lecturing on bad choices. You have made several here. Im ashamed to be Irish?????? Sorry I don't follow the logic here either. By the way having been born and raised in Belfast before immigrating, I've had some experience with bullies and their words hurt just as much as their fists, boots and rifle butts.

• Wonderpanties | Apr 02, 2010, 07:58 PM EDT

  Wait a minute here. If the staffer was present but didn't know that Phoebe was being bullied in the library, how could that staffer report it after Miss Prince's death? Hmmmmm interesting slip there. Sounds like someone is trying to sweep this incident under the rug.

• EveryDayDad | Apr 02, 2010, 07:14 PM EDT

  Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Phoebe's Mom was aware of the harassment and that it was growing. Why would you continue to take your child to such an environment. They had choices. They could have home-schooled, changed schools, the choices are limitless. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (other kids bullying), the power to change the things I can (home or other school) and the wisdom to know the difference (well, they missed this one all together and now it's too late). A sad sad tragedy. Phoebe made a bad choice that cost her her life. If Phoebe had more support and action-based involvement from her parents her death may have avoided. Teasing and getting teased or "Bullied" which to me involved physical force is a part of growing up just like losing a job, a wife or other significant loss. These kids accused should be let off. They will not forget that society is pointing the finger at them. This could lead to more suicides if it continues. Nothing's going to bring Phoebe back and she did kill herself alone. Bad choice Phoebe. If anything, I think her parents should be charged with child endangerment resulting in death for continuing to force Phoebe to go to that school. School is not a daycare people, its a learning environment. If your kids not in an environment they can learn in, change it, don't use public schools as your baby sitter so you can sit home on the couch or make what (money???). Alot of good that does her now. Rest in Peace Phoebe.

• whitewolf | Apr 02, 2010, 06:09 PM EDT

  My heart goes out to Phoebe and her suffering and her parents for having to endure this. The trash that did this to Phoebe should be in police custody and charged for rape and murder. The parents of the trash that did this to her should be moving out of town and shunned from all others because they allowed it. The school superintendent is a joke. I did hear there was another suicide a few years ago. Is this true? And swept under the rug. Is there a coverup going on? A coverup to keep this quiet, so the Board of Education could try and qualify for Phase II of the Race to the Top Grant in which they would get millions from the Dept. of Education at the Federal level? Check with your Congressmen, and find out. Its' about time they knew too what was going on in this sickening school. If school officials cannot control this, then get rid of them NOW. I want the trash who did this to Phoebe and their parents to suffer each and every day for the rest of their lives, exactly the same way that Phoebe did.

• killowen | Apr 02, 2010, 05:29 PM EDT

  the, wow I'm sorry, edjit, who reminds us of everything in the world - hungar, taunting (a right of passage), roping of one's self ....... wish those with such a mindset pull the plug on themselves. The Bundy types are many I'd bet, just ready to show us their dark sick side. Nut cases.

• bobbo28 | Apr 02, 2010, 04:57 PM EDT

  wow im sorry this girl took her life. This is a tough world, all over the world people are dying in wars and do to hunger. You all want to start an anti-bully task force. How about asking the mom why she didn't take the girl out of the school if it was such a horrible place. Or talk to her about it. Have we forgoten the saying sticks and stones may break my bones but names wont hurt me. I was bullied in school i was a fat short boy, i got beat up a couple of time physical not name calling... I got tired and beat the shit out of the people. We are raising a generation of kids who can't take care of them self and want someone else to do things for them. Stand up and make yourself heard. High school taunting is a right of passage and produces stong adults. sorry agian for the moms loss, but don't dare blame other girls for this, they didn't hold the rope on her.

• DavidEdmonton | Apr 02, 2010, 04:54 PM EDT

  The students who bullied Phoebe, the school staff who saw it happen and did nothing and the bully who wrote "accomplished" on her Facebook page will one day face their maker with fear and trembling. I suspect God will charge each of them with murder and give each of them a just reward for their cruelty.

• double11 | Apr 02, 2010, 03:00 PM EDT

  throw them in jail and throw away tht key they and their parents are are lowlife scum

• ciarrai | Apr 02, 2010, 02:12 PM EDT

  From the first mention of Phoebe Prince's death on this website, I have advocated for a top to bottom curtain of guilt on the entire administration at South Hadley High and up to the superintendent of schools and, of course, to the young evil punks who taunted this kid until she couldn't take it anymore. I hope the prosecutor came be brought to the view that the "adults" who did nothing bear responsibility. I would pursue this "get anyone/everyone who is remotely responsible" approach until justice is really, really, really done. No one is allowed to hide and dodge. Furthermore, how about someone up there taking one for Phoebe. Set up a child as a likely victim and let the brave bullies come out of the daarkness and resume their evil ways and nab them. BTW, an aside to "irishwxman": the correct phrase is "don't insult America like some BushCheneyRovePalin wannabe". That foursome has made an art out of insulting Ameica and American values. Furthermore, sadly, this kind of bullying goes on all over America. It is no insult to say so, but an indictment of the school systems that they allow this evil to persist. Lay off Obama. Your boy bush left him something that only Jesus could truly clean up.

• irishwxman | Apr 02, 2010, 01:26 PM EDT

  MarkThisDown...don't insult America like some Obama wannabe. America is a great country. You cannot fault the country for the atrocious behaviour of a handful of miscreants in Boston. Blame those responsible...don't blame the country.

• RosedeJager | Apr 02, 2010, 01:06 PM EDT

  Evil. Pure evil. The cowardly school authorities should be made to shoulder the blame, but these days no one is ever held to account, and "do what thou wilt"...... is the order of the day and we all know where THAT comes from. Rest in Peace Phoebe

• windrider48 | Apr 02, 2010, 01:01 PM EDT

  Advocate...that's like asking if a woman was reaped because of the way she was dressed. Does it really make a difference if Pheobe was a hardened girl or a sensitive one? Didn't she have the right to a life?

• dv727dv | Apr 02, 2010, 12:02 PM EDT

  I will be pleased when we learn the pig that did this (named in another site) was involuntarily tattooed (in non-artistic prison-scratch fashion) with a tramp stamp saying "Accomplished" by her 350 pound, toothless, hairy-legged bunkie, and that the tattoo includes, in notch fashion, running accounts of the number of times her services were traded to bunkie's fellow inmates and the number of cigarettes exchanged for each trade. Wonder if the Innocent Angel will post THAT on Facebook?? The subhuman's name was posted on another site, but I didn't remember it. Maybe bunkie will ink the wrong name on her as well.

• Robert4787 | Apr 02, 2010, 11:48 AM EDT

  I just wrote an aritlce "Is Your Child Bullied?" on my FAMILY JOURNAL site at www.familyjournal1.blogspot.com/ The National Institutes of Health 2004 survey concluded that the prevalence of bullying in U.S. schools suggests a need for more research to understand and devise ways to intervene against bullying. School intervention programs have been shown to be successful and are listed on the free FAMILY JOURNAL site. Effective programs are comprehensive in nature involving parents, students, school staff and the whole community. There's also free videos and free newspaper and journal daily updates on this topic. www.familyjournal1.blogspot.com/

• MarkThisDown | Apr 02, 2010, 11:48 AM EDT

  Welcome to America Phoebe. Aren't we a great country?

• bronxjames | Apr 02, 2010, 11:36 AM EDT

  Find these sick little bastards and throw them into general population with 'real' prisoners. Offer the prisoners some kind of extra yard time to teach these bastards something and scare the shit outta them! I heard the parents are just as bad. Lock their asses up to. Back in the 50's my Father would have kick the shit outta me and then turned me over to the cops . Not today though. Kids get away with "murder" literally.

• johnozed | Apr 02, 2010, 10:40 AM EDT

  these are not children. they are beasts.

• ericalaughlin | Apr 02, 2010, 10:31 AM EDT

  You have no idea how bad it was. There are a lot of very sick, heartless people out there. I wish we could round those people up, put them on an island and leave them there to their own devices.

• TraveLynn | Apr 02, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT

  Early signs of sociopathic behavior. To be happy that they caused someone to take their life is just sick. Their parents need some parenting classes, as well since they raised such vermin.

• irishimport | Apr 02, 2010, 09:48 AM EDT

  Unreal

• irishbob | Apr 02, 2010, 09:11 AM EDT

  The harassment of anyone, much else a young girl such as Phoebe Prince, is a stupid act done by stupid people. The kids should be charged, but the school officials who knew about this should be charged as well. I hope those kids will be forced to spend the next several years thinking about what they have done, and I hope those years are spent behind bars.

• chris13 | Apr 02, 2010, 09:05 AM EDT

  Are these kids insane?

• Lillyobrien | Apr 02, 2010, 08:49 AM EDT

  What a sad story....