Josh Pacheco
Like so many victims of bullying, seventeen year old Josh tried to hide it from his family. In fact, his family had no idea that anything was wrong, although in hindsight, Josh's Mother, Lynnette Capehart, says that the signs were there that something was very wrong.
Mrs. Capeheart recalls her son coming home from a homecoming dance in tears. He was sobbing but refused to tell his Mom what was wrong. Discussions Josh had with his siblings regarding his future worried his Mom so much that she convinced him to speak with a counselor. An appointment was made but Josh would not live long enough to see it.
On the day Josh ended his life, he was at home, ill. He posted a message on Facebook that worried his Stepfather so much that he telephoned a neighbour and asked them to check on Josh. The message Josh posted was a quote from one of his favourite books, The Lord of the Rings.
Josh's body was found inside his car, inside the garage of his family home.With him was a note in which apologized for not being strong enough.
Mrs. Capeheart recalls her son coming home from a homecoming dance in tears. He was sobbing but refused to tell his Mom what was wrong. Discussions Josh had with his siblings regarding his future worried his Mom so much that she convinced him to speak with a counselor. An appointment was made but Josh would not live long enough to see it.
On the day Josh ended his life, he was at home, ill. He posted a message on Facebook that worried his Stepfather so much that he telephoned a neighbour and asked them to check on Josh. The message Josh posted was a quote from one of his favourite books, The Lord of the Rings.
Josh's body was found inside his car, inside the garage of his family home.With him was a note in which apologized for not being strong enough.
'I regret to announce that this is the end. I'm going now, I bid you all a very fond farewell. Goodbye.' - The last thing Josh wrote on his Facebook page, a quote from The Lord of the Rings.
Following his death, Josh's family learned a lot about their son's secretive life at school. They knew he was gay because he had told them several months earlier and they supported him unconditionally.What they didn't know was the severity of the bullying their son endured every day. Students and parents alike revealed that Josh had been bullied both in and out of school. Bullies teased him, tormented him and pushed him into lockers.
The realization of what Josh endured in silence was unbearable. How could they not have known? It's a question any parent would ask themselves in the same situation. The simple truth of the matter is that victims of bullying become very good at acting, at pretending that everything in life is fine.
At his funeral, teachers from his school came forward and said that they too believed that Josh was being bullied. But Superintendent Ed Koledo said there had never been a report of bullying made to the school. But he added that new programs are being put in place to help students feel more comfortable about coming forward if they are being bullied. The school is also considering bringing speakers to the school to talk about bullying and suicide.
At his funeral, attended by around 400 people, Josh was remembered as a kind, fun-loving student who adored taking part in the theatre.
The realization of what Josh endured in silence was unbearable. How could they not have known? It's a question any parent would ask themselves in the same situation. The simple truth of the matter is that victims of bullying become very good at acting, at pretending that everything in life is fine.
At his funeral, teachers from his school came forward and said that they too believed that Josh was being bullied. But Superintendent Ed Koledo said there had never been a report of bullying made to the school. But he added that new programs are being put in place to help students feel more comfortable about coming forward if they are being bullied. The school is also considering bringing speakers to the school to talk about bullying and suicide.
At his funeral, attended by around 400 people, Josh was remembered as a kind, fun-loving student who adored taking part in the theatre.