Heartbroken family of 12-year-old girl who took her own life open up about the trauma she suffered at the hands of cruel cyberbullies

A heartbroken mother has detailed how her 12-year-old daughter’s life tragically fell apart when she was kicked out of her friendship within months of starting secondary school.

Adiel Boyd, 12, was found dead in her bedroom by relatives at their Townsville home in North Queensland early on Sunday morning after taking her own life.

Just 12 months ago, she was excited to graduate from primary school with her best friends and was looking forward to attending the same secondary school with them, her mother Victoria said.

But over the course of 2024, Ms Boyd alleged Adiel’s friends relentlessly bullied her and socially excluded her on the playground.

She claims the bullying followed Adiel home via social media during the school holidays.

Ms Boyd told Daily Mail Australia her youngest child was trying to protect the family from the full extent of her suffering.

‘Adiel was very private. She shared a few things,” Ms. Boyd said.

She heard a little of what was going on and supported Adiel through the ordeal with the help, along with her eldest daughter Tameka.

“They called her things like ‘annoying’ and said that ‘she is no longer accepted’, but it’s not just that. It is what goes to other groups of friends and what they send back to Adiel,” Ms Boyd said.

She admitted she doesn’t know exactly what her daughter went through.

“When it comes to social media, there is a closed space,” Ms Boyd said.

She believes it has become almost impossible for parents to effectively monitor social media, with much of the harmful content going unseen.

Although she doesn’t yet know exactly what was said to her daughter, Mrs Boyd is desperate for answers.

Police are currently investigating the contents of Adiel’s phone and social media accounts.

“Whatever was mentioned and whatever was said that forced her to that point to do that, we’re waiting for that as well because that’s in her phone,” Ms Boyd said.

‘We all need to be more attentive to our children. We need to pay more attention and look closer,” Ms. Boyd urged.

‘[We need to be able] to see these signs, to recognize the dangers our children face.”

She encouraged victims of bullying to talk openly with their loved ones.

‘Stay strong, help is there. Speak out and talk about it,” she urged.

‘Don’t feel like you’re alone. Don’t feel like you’re alone, because there’s always someone there to hear what you have to say.”

‘No issue is too small for everyone. Open up, don’t rely on social media, don’t rely on posting statuses. We need physical interactions.”

According to her proud mother, Adiel was a gifted student from the start.

She spoke her family’s native language, Japanese and Filipino, and played three musical instruments.

“She was a very impressive girl, a top student,” Ms Boyd said.

‘[She was] very, very modest, very loving. Never hated anyone. Never known hate. No matter who she knew and was with, it wasn’t like, “I like you” – she had genuine love.

“She was like an angel, literally, like an angel.”

Adiel’s sister Tameka has one GoFundMewho has raised more than $7,000 to help the family say goodbye to Adiel.

“In her short life of twelve years, Adiel left a birthmark on everyone she knew,” she wrote.

‘Adiel will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts. We, her family, would like to thank you all in advance for your support at this very sad and unfortunate time.”

“As we reflect on how we lost our Adi, we would also like to raise awareness about suicide prevention, especially among our children.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Children’s helpline: 1800 55 1800