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Sheriff: Bullying did not lead to Caroline student’s suicide

Posted at 2:09 PM, Oct 22, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-22 17:29:46-04

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - There is no evidence that bullying contributed to the suicide of a Caroline High School student, Sheriff Tony Lippa announced Tuesday.

"A tragedy has occurred in Caroline County, where a 14 year old has taken her life.  There is no evidence that leads to foul play or bullying as the cause of this young lady’s death," Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa wrote in an email. "The Caroline County Sheriff's Office Investigators have been working closely with family members and sharing information with them.  What we have here is another tragedy where a young person has chosen to end their life.  For those who put misleading information onto Social Media is simply wrong."

The Caroline High 9th grader died Monday, the school system confirmed.

"The family or families that are involved in this situation need thoughts, prayers and understanding of their loss, not rumors, or false innuendoes," Sheriff Lippa added.

Caroline students plan to wear yellow to school on Friday in honor of their classmate.

The student's death came one week after Caroline High sophomore Thomas "Tommy" Wheeler, 15, died running wind sprints in gym class. Students held a Friday vigil to honor Wheeler, who died last Tuesday.

“Tell your children you love them every day. Wrap your arms around them and tell them you love them,” Wheeler’s father told CBS 6 News earlier this week. “We thought Tommy was going to come back after school, but he didn’t.”