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Peabody boy, 14, took his own life due to bullying, family says
“Jason was 14 years old, he was loved by everyone, and words hurt, and it caused his death," his sister told Boston 25 News.
The Peabody community is grieving after a middle schooler in Peabody took his own life due to bullying, his family said.
Jason Bernard, 14, died Saturday, according to his obituary, a month before he was set to graduate with his eighth grade class from Higgins Middle School in Peabody.
“Jason had a passion for track and was a member of the school’s track team,” his family wrote for his obituary. “A life long resident of Peabody, Jason enjoyed playing video games with his friends but most of all spending time with his family. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.”
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Cely Rosario, Bernard’s sister, told Boston 25 News that her brother “feared getting on the bus.”
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“He would complain, he spoke to his teachers, his coaches, his friends about it. Mom went to the school a couple of times. He went to counseling to get the support that he needed. It didn’t stop,” Rosario said. “My mom had to bring him to school, his dad brought him to school a couple of times because he wanted to avoid these people.”
Rosario stood with her family, including Bernard’s mother, holding photos of Bernard, while speaking to reporters. Family members and friends held signs that read “Justice for Jason” and “No more bullying,” according to the report.
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At one point, Bernard’s mother broke into tears, while Rosario said that “Jason was funny, Jason loved to bake, Jason loved to do track, he loved to be around his friends, he was silly, he loved his cats, he loved his mom,” the news station reported.
Mayor, superintendent react, don’t directly address bullying claims
Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said in a statement that he is putting together plans for a “community-wide discussion.”
“Our city has suffered a devastating loss with the unexpected passing of a 14-year-old Higgins Middle School student,” Bettencourt said. “As a father, I cannot fathom the depth of his family’s grief and I offer them my profound sympathies, as well as those of our entire community.”
In a separate statement, Peabody Public Schools Superintendent Josh Vadala also acknowledged Bernard’s death, saying there will be grief counselors available at all schools for students and staff.
“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the student’s family, friends and the entire community. It is very difficult for all of us to face the death of a young person,” Vadala said, while declining to provide more information for the family’s privacy.
The Peabody Special Education Parent Advisory Council called Bernard’s death “a preventable loss” and shared a link to a GoFundMe. Bernard’s father, who organized the online fundraiser, and Rosario did not reply to requests for comment.
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The family said they “want the school to do better” to combat school bullying in Peabody, Rosario told Boston 25 News.
“We want the community, the parents to teach their kids the effects that bullying has,” Rosario said. “Jason was 14 years old, he was loved by everyone, and words hurt, and it caused his death.”
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