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Published On: Thu, Sep 12th, 2013

Florida Sheriff Grady Judd speaks on Rebecca Sedwick suicide from social media bullying

Detectives in Polk County made a tragic discovery this week when a missing girl was found dead in Lakeland, from an apparent suicide. Her mother says she was a victim of relentless bullying and Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the issue in a statement.

Rebecca Sedwick

Rebecca Sedwick

Rebecca Ann Sedwick, age 12, was last seen alive early Monday morning leaving her home.

Judd said the bullying apparently began some time ago last year over a “boyfriend issue” with a group of girls who used to be her friends.

Investigators spoke to several of the minors who were in Rebecca’s social media circle, and Judd said that some of the girls told them that Rebecca was “absolutely terrorized” on social media by some of the girls.

The situation apparently came to a head in December, when Judd said her mother Tricia Norman had noticed cuts on Rebecca’s wrist, which her daughter said was because she was being bullied. 

Judd revealed a search of the teen’s computer revealed searches: “What is overweight for a 13 year old girl?” “How to get blades out of razors?” “How many Advil do you need to take to die?” “How many over the counter drugs do you take to die?”

“It’s one of the saddest situations I’ve seen,” Judd said.

Rebecca had problems being bullied in the past which led to a school change and a brief stint homeschooling.

Sadly the bullying continued on social media platforms like Kick, Ask.FM and Instagram. Judd said Rebecca received messages like “You should die” and “Why don’t you go kill yourself?”

Judd said investigators went to the abandoned cement plant, where they learned she liked to hang out, which is where they found her body.

Judd said the building has a tower with three levels: 19 feet, 24 feet and 60 feet.  Judd said Rebecca could have jumped from any of those levels.

“At some point in time, we believe early in the day on Sept. 1, she climbed the cement tower and jumped off, fatally injuring herself,” he said.

Judd said the autopsy found that Rebecca died from multiple blunt force trauma, the result of her apparent jump from the tower.

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About the Author

- Writer and Co-Founder of The Global Dispatch, Brandon has been covering news, offering commentary for years, beginning professionally in 2003 on Crazed Fanboy before expanding into other blogs and sites. Appearing on several radio shows, Brandon has hosted Dispatch Radio, written his first novel (The Rise of the Templar) and completed the three years Global University program in Ministerial Studies to be a pastor. To Contact Brandon email [email protected] ATTN: BRANDON

Displaying 10 Comments
Have Your Say
  1. 12-year-old commits suicide over online bullying, charges could be filed | Thrive Editor says:

    […] Rebecca Ann Sedwick, 12-Year-Old Florida Girl, Commits Suicide After Online Bullying (VIDEO) – Florida Sheriff Grady Judd speaks on Rebecca Sedwick suicide from social media bullying – Lakeland Girl Commits Suicide After 1½ Years of Being […]

  2. 12-year-old commits suicide over online bullying, charges could be filed | Front End Editor says:

    […] Rebecca Ann Sedwick, 12-Year-Old Florida Girl, Commits Suicide After Online Bullying (VIDEO) – Florida Sheriff Grady Judd speaks on Rebecca Sedwick suicide from social media bullying – Lakeland Girl Commits Suicide After 1½ Years of Being […]

  3. Humiliation, taping mouths and tying up students: Are we going to stop teachers from bullying students? - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] is the epicenter of the battle against bullying in school after Rebecca Sedwick in Polk County committed suicide in response to the barrage of humiliation from her fellow students. The question should now be […]

  4. Teens Guadalupe Shaw, Katelyn Roman charged in bullying case which led to Rebecca Sedwick’s suicide - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] Polk County has made it in the news again following an investigation into the suicide of 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick last […]

  5. Bullies use social media to urge 12-year-old to kill herself – CBS News says:

    […] The Global Dispatch […]

  6. chad allen says:

    My heart goes out to this family of this beautiful girl. tragic this had to happen to make the world see how truly pretty she was. the ones that bullied her will no doubt be judged by a higher power. and the out come will be one that equals all the pain they caused . There parents should also be held accountable for being horrible role models falling short as those kids main teacher of all things Morale in life.

  7. 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick commits suicide over online bullying says:

    […] Rebecca Ann Sedwick, 12-Year-Old Florida Girl, Commits Suicide After Online Bullying (VIDEO) – Florida Sheriff Grady Judd speaks on Rebecca Sedwick suicide from social media bullying – Lakeland Girl Commits Suicide After 1½ Years of Being […]

  8. » Rebecca Ann Sedwick Update: Family says bullying drove 12-year-old Fla. girl … – CBS News says:

    […] The Global Dispatch […]

  9. Sheriff: 12-year-old Fla. girl commits suicide after she was bullied online by a … – Fox News | Today-News says:

    […] The Global Dispatch […]

  10. Rebecca Ann Sedwick Update: Family says bullying drove 12-year-old Fla. girl … – CBS News « Body build says:

    […] The Global Dispatch […]

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