Family mourns loss of teenager who killed herself because of bullying

A Bedford, Pennsylvania, family is mourning the loss of teenager Sadie Riggs, who killed herself this week because, loved ones say, she was bullied.

The family wrote an obituary that's been shared hundreds of times on social media.

Channel 11 doesn't usually report on suicides, but this story's a little different.

The obituary sends a strong message to the people who the family claims put Sadie over the edge.

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Fewer than 3,000 people live in the town, which is about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. Bedford is where Sadie Riggs, 15, was born, and, sadly, where she took her own life this week.

“She wanted to be a firefighter or a vet,” her aunt, Sarah Smith, said. She told Channel 11 her niece Sadie hung herself because of bullies at her high school.

“They called her everything in the book,” Smith said.

The family wrote a heartbreaking obituary, addressing the bullies: "For the bullies involved, please know you were effective in making her feel worthless.To all the bullies out there, I just want you to know that as much as we despise your actions, never ever do we wish for you to feel the paralyzing pain that engulfs our bodies."

“On her cellphone, SnapChat, Kik and Instagram were her big things getting bullied on,” Smith said.

The obituary also says Sadie had been seeking help, "But it was all too much for such a young soul to live with."

Sadie's family is preparing for her funeral this weekend.

The family ended the obituary with a simple request: "In lieu of flowers, the family of Sadie ask that you be kind to one another."

“Sadie is finally being able to get heard, and hopefully she can help somebody out in the long run,” Smith said.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or people can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

More resources are available at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website.

Cox Media Group