Aubreigh Wyatt was a beautiful, energetic little girl from Ocean Springs, Mississippi who died mysteriously, some call it suicide. Aubreigh was a 2010 middle school student at the time who excelled academically at Ocean Springs Middle School, and participated in extracurriculars, continued as an eighth grader, and so on. She was loved for her big smile and bubbly personality which described a girl that had her whole future to look forward to. Sadly, Aubreigh Wyatt took her own life on September 4, 2023, unable to cope with the constant bullying. It’s been more than a year since Aubreigh Wyatt ended her story.
Aubreigh Wyatt, who died shortly after the accident, was in distress before her death. She faced a barrage of bullying from at least four girls whose actions added to her distress. Although a good student and surrounded by a loving family, Aubreigh experienced a reality that so many young people today face with the help of bullying in some forms that sadly became too much to bear. Her mother, Heather Wyatt, subsequently said ongoing harassment and bullying played a role in her daughter’s tragic death.
Aubreigh was a student but she was also an artistic spirit who loved to make Tik Tok videos, where she posted lip-syncing and Christian videos. She loved gymnastics, riding four-wheelers and hanging out at the beach with her friends.
But the appearance of a well-adjusted, happy high school student belied a struggle that ended tragically in death.
The Role of Bullying in Aubreigh’s Story
The story of Aubreigh Wyatt was riddled with allegations that the bullying had continued, serving as a stark reminder of the reality that so many young people face today. Aubreigh’s death was a ‘direct result of bullying,’ Heather Wyatt said. This led to outrage and discussion over the need for stronger anti-bullying measures in schools. Two examples of schools taking initiatives can be seen in Heather’s case. When the story went viral, the hashtag, #LLAW (Live Like Aubreigh Wyatt) quickly took off across social media platforms to celebrate Aubreigh and promote awareness of bullying.
The public outcry over the bullying allegations was immediate and profound, with much of the community rising to support Heather in her efforts to highlight her daughter’s plight. Without social media, awareness would not have been raised as hundreds and thousands shared their support for Tyler and may have even shared their own struggles which often mirrored just how widespread adolescent bullying is.
In response to the alleged bullying against Aubreigh, an uproar against those seen as the bullies also followed, where many expressed their outrage online, with the names of those alleged to have bullied Aubreigh getting out to the public.
So Aubreigh’s family was hit hard by this. After Aubreigh passed away, Heather took to social media often to express her sorrow, pointing out the vivacious spirit her daughter had, and the void left in its wake. Heather described messages Aubreigh had sent to family before she died, and shared notes Aubreigh had written just before her death. The internet responded in shock, reminding everyone how great of a loss this was and how bullying awareness is just not enough.
Legal Battles Following Aubreigh’s Death
This was followed by a legal drama, after the tragic passing of Aubreigh Wyatt.
In particular, the parents of the supposed bullies sued Heather Wyatt for slander. Heather’s posts on social media had “defamed” their kids, they said, by bringing them into Aubreigh’s bullying and implying they had something to do with Aubreigh’s death. The lawsuit made waves on social media, sparking debate over accountability and potential legal consequences for online bullying narratives.
Heather Wyatt’s battle for transparency and the public interest drew both praise and condemnation from commentators and media. Advocates defended her, calling for stronger handling of bullying practices in schools and accountability for those behaviors.
On the other hand, others criticized the social media climate in which they posted, claiming the nuance of Heather’s words was lost and could have dire consequences for the children that she accused.
For a while, it was uncertain what the results of the lawsuits would be. To protect the minors accused of bullying Aubreigh, a judge has instead ordered Heather to take her social media accounts offline temporarily.
This raised more conversation however about freedom of speech and the right to tell her story. Later, the parents of those whom she claimed were bullies dropped the lawsuit against Heather, but questions of accountability and responsibility for bullying in schools remained.
Community Reactions and Support
The day after Aubreigh Wyatt died, Heather Wyatt had the world at her heels – the community, churning with social media fervor, seemed to rise up in Mrs. Wyatt’s defense. So those who were touched by Aubreigh’s share began to send messages of solidarity and support and call attention to the impact of bullying and mental health. Even viral TikTok personalities joined the discussion, echoing Heather’s sentiment on the internet and siding with her efforts to create a legacy for the sake of her child’s memory.
Ocean Springs School District issued condolences to the Wyatt family in the wake of the death of Aubreigh Wyatt. They will continue their efforts to combat bullying as well as make mental health resources readily available in the school. The district pointed to current anti-bullying initiatives and said they are committed to providing an environment that the Board of Education members said is safe and supportive for all students.
Additionally, following Aubreigh’s passing, school officials said they’re already launching the 2018-201o school year by implementing other programs to improve mental health services and bullying prevention. Sadly this happens only after Aubreigh’s death. They proposed community programs aimed at writing into law more action from local organizations on the urgent matters surrounding bullying and mental wellness in schools. It was a positive response to creating a better school climate, one that Aubreigh Wyatt should have had while she was at school.
Pain and heartache aside, the story of Aubreigh Wyatt until her death proved an unforgettably clear illustration of how every moment wasted means someone’s life. Her tragedy ignited awareness campaigns to stop this from happening to other children and urged parents, schools, and communities to come together against bullying and mental health support for children. Aubreigh’s legacy should be a beacon of hope and a rallying cry for any of us who dare to fight for a kinder, gentler place for youth.
