Suicide of Nicola Raphael

A case which attracted a lot of media attention from 2001 onwards was the suicide of Nicola Raphael a 15 year old who endured constant bullying simply because she dressed in black. Her suicide and allegations of bullying at her school Lenzie Academy led to wide coverage in the local and national press. In many ways the suicide could be read as a grim warning of the strength of hatred that was to lead to Sophie Lancaster’s death. There is bright spot in the tragedy of Nicola’s death in that her organs later helped save lives
Background
Bullying incidents and suicide
Information requested for later legal action found that the bullying allegations went back over several years: "Internal papers just released reveal that 15-year-old Nicola Raphael, who took an overdose in 2001 after being tormented over her gothic appearance, had complained to teachers about bullying long before she died ... the document shows staff clearly knew the youngster, whose suicide shocked the nation, had felt under threat of physical attack but did not inform her parents."
Reaction
Shortly after her death at a concert Nicola was due to have attended Marilyn Manson was seen comforting Nicola's mother: "Performing in Glasgow last weekend, Manson dedicated the song Fight On to Nicola Raphael, 15, who overdosed on painkillers two months ago and was buried along with her ticket to the Manson show. After the concert, Manson met with the girl's mother. He was very caring and considerate, Rona Raphael told Scotland's Daily Record newspaper. I was so touched that this megastar took time out to meet me. Despite all the controversy about him and his shows, he just seemed like a normal man to me...."

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