A nine-year-old’s final words to her sister – “Fly high my angel” – echoed through a memorial service in January, following the death of 12-year-old Lexi Blackwood, who took her own life.
Bullying Allegations Preceded Suicide
Lexi’s father, Ryan Marshall, stated his daughter was once confident and outgoing, but this changed when she entered middle school. “She was so confident until she started facing harassment and bullying on a daily basis,” Marshall said. “It basically chipped away her confidence until it was very well zero, and here we are today.”
According to her family, Lexi confided in her parents last October about ongoing verbal harassment, including comments targeting her appearance. Marshall said the bullying often came from students Lexi didn’t know. “No one she knew in her classroom,” he said. “She didn’t even know these people constantly putting her down, calling her names.”
The family contacted the school for help but were referred to a youth counselling centre. They questioned why the focus was placed on Lexi’s mental health rather than addressing the alleged bullying.
Central Okanagan Public Schools extended its sympathy to the family, calling Lexi’s death an “unimaginable loss.” The district stated it cannot comment on the specifics of the case and follows a provincial safety education framework.
Family Calls for Systemic Change
Marshall said the family felt Lexi’s experience was not taken seriously enough. Her grandfather, Dwight Blackwood, noted some steps were taken, but they didn’t address the root of the problem. “They had a monitor in the hall for a few days,” he said. “But our little Lexi wasn’t even in the hallway anyway, they let her out five minutes early so she could avoid the crowds.”
Lexi missed two weeks of school due to the severity of the situation, and when she returned, communication from the school was minimal, according to Marshall.
The family is now calling for systemic change, including more proactive mental health resources and regular wellness checks, rather than relying on students to reach out on their own. “We’re hoping for change in the school board,” Marshall said. “More direct resources. Not just two or three options that are completely reliant on the student to reach out themselves.”
The family hopes sharing Lexi’s story will prevent another loss. “If we can stop one other family from going through this,” Marshall said, “that’s our goal.”
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