A grieving teenager who ended up in state welfare tragically took her own life after losing her father and brother the same way within months of each other.
Rhianna Whittington, 16, was found dead on June 21, 2022 in a public park not far from the government-owned home in Whyalla, South Australia.
Originally from Perth, Rhianna’s last two years were filled with tragedy and heartbreak.
Her father took his own life in May 2020, just two days after his 42nd birthday. Five months later, Rhianna’s older brother, 18, would also commit suicide.
Rhianna’s death was not made public by authorities who said they did not want to add further suffering to the young people she lived with.
Rhianna Whittington, 16, was found dead in a public park not far from the government-run house where she lived in Whyalla, South Australia in June 2022
The teen had the dates of her brother’s and father’s deaths on her Facebook profile, writing: “rip papa 18/5/78-20/5/20′ and ‘rip bro 15/12/01-30/10/20’.
Rhianna was in the care of South Australia’s Department for Child Protection for about six months before she died.
She was often reported missing by case officers who said she threatened to harm herself.
The 16-year-old attended Southern River Public School, southwest of Perth, and Dianella Secondary School in the northern suburbs of the city.
Rhianna was remembered by friends on Facebook as “beautiful” and “always loved.”
“This post breaks my heart, my first best friend, the person who claimed me in the beginning and now I have to say goodbye to Rest In Peace beauty, I will always love you endlessly,” one friend wrote.
South Australian Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard has said this The advertiser she was “notified immediately” of Rhianna’s death.
She said her death was not made public “based on strong advice about the harm it would do to children and young people around her.”
Ms Hildyard said that before Rhianna died she was kept regularly informed of the department’s efforts to support the teenager.
“DCP employees formed a strong bond with her and were determined to do everything they could to protect her from further harm,” she said.
“Despite all available support and dedicated efforts to keep her safe, this young woman has sadly decided to take her own life.
“This shows the unpredictable nature of suicide and its devastating impact on those left behind.”
Rhianna’s death was not made public by authorities who said they did not want to add further suffering to the young people she lived with
Ms Hildyard said she would “weigh the implications” of releasing more data on child deaths known to the Department for Child Protection, but would ultimately be bound by police demands and the privacy of the family.
Department for Child Protection Director Jackie Bray said Rhianna suffered “significant trauma” before entering state care.
Multiple agencies, including health, police, education and the DCP, were involved in “intense” support efforts, Ms Bray said.
“Children and young people in care, who have experienced significant trauma, are particularly vulnerable if they have a history of harm and neglect,” she said.
“Unfortunately, suicide can be unpredictable and despite support, tragically, it’s not known exactly what was going on in a person’s head at any given time.”
SA Police have confirmed that Rhianna’s death is the subject of a corona investigation.
Her funeral took place in Ceduna, a town on the shores of Murat Bay in South Australia.
In 2021, there were 3,000 suicide deaths in Australia, an average of nine a day.
Suicide is the leading cause of suicide in young Australians. More than a third of deaths in Australia between the ages of 15 and 24 were due to suicide by 2021.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.