News (USA)

Bullied N.M. gay teen posts suicide note online before taking his own life

Bullied N.M. gay teen posts suicide note online before taking his own life

Updated: 2:00 p.m. MDT

LAS LUNAS, N.M. — An openly gay New Mexico high school student who spoke out against bullying died Tuesday after his family removed him from life support following a suicide attempt over the weekend.

Carlos Vigil

Carlos Vigil, 17, posted a suicide note online on Saturday where he described being the target of bullying, and wrote, “The kids in school are right, I am a loser, a freak and a fag and in no way is that acceptable for people to deal with.”

His father rushed home when he heard about it, but it was too late.

Family members said Monday that Carlos had been suffering from the effects of bullying since elementary school and that they had transferred him from one local high school to another due to the constant strain of being targeted, reported KRQE-TV.

Carlos’ mother, Jacqueline Vigil, said her son was involved in Youth and Government and tried to push for stronger anti-bullying laws, but his own experience with bullying became too much.

She said Carlos had been bullied since he was 8 years-old, and was picked on for everything from his weight and acne to his glasses.

In the suicide note posted on Twitter, Carlos wrote:

I’m sorry to those who I offended over the years. I’m blind to see that I, as a human being, suck. I’m an individual who is doing an injustice to the world and it’s time for me to leave. Please don’t ever feel sorry for me, or cry – because I had an opportunity at life and that opportunity is over. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to love someone or have someone love me. I guess it’s best though, because now I leave no pain onto anyone. The kids in school are right, I am a loser, a freak, and a fag and in no way is that acceptable for people to deal with. I’m sorry for not being a person that would make someone proud.

I’m free now. Xoxo.
Carlos

“My son, he didn’t deserve this …” said Jacqueline Vigil. “He is not here because of bullying. It drove him over the edge.”

On Monday, dozens of classmates showed up at the hospital where Carlos was on life support.

“Even though now Carlos is gone, we need to focus on what he left trying to say, that bullying is a problem,” said Alyssa Cisneros, a former classmate at Valley High School.

Posting on his Twitter account early Tuesday morning, Carlos’ family wrote: “Carlos is finally at peace! Thank you everyone for your support and prayers. Please don’t forget what he wanted STOP THE BULLYING’

Carlos died at 1:47 a.m. after being removed from life support and having his organs donated.

Update: On Tuesday afternoon, his family reported that Carlos’ kidneys had been successfully accepted by a recipient. “He now lives thru others,” they tweeted.


Editor’s Note: If you or a young person you know is LGBT and thinking about suicide, call The Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. For adults over 24, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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