Jessica Scatterson
Great Britain- Jessica Scattergood: A Tragic Death
- Police Investigation
- Troubled Home Life
- A Sergeant's Discovery
- Physical Evidence and Social Media
- Friends and School
- A Burdened Child
- Cause of Death
Jessica Scattergood: A Tragic Death
A Bullied Teenager's DeathJessica Scattergood, a 12-year-old schoolgirl from Warrington, England, took her own life after allegedly being bullied by her peers. Just hours before her death, she posted a photo to social media showing the word "RIP" written in ink on her heel, along with several heartbreaking messages.
Police Investigation
Officers from Cheshire Police contacted Jessica's father, who discovered her lifeless body surrounded by stuffed toys in her bedroom. The room also contained notes and drawings related to death and suicide. A name believed to belong to the alleged primary bully was found in the writings.
Troubled Home Life
At an inquest into Jessica's death, the court heard that she had confided in teachers about the difficulties she faced at home with her father, Christopher. He was described as someone who "sometimes came home, locked himself in his room, and would be heard crying."
A Sergeant's Discovery
Sergeant Ross Dryden of Cheshire Police testified that he spoke with 41-year-old Christopher through an upstairs window of his home. After receiving an alarming call around 3:45 AM, he instructed the father to check on his daughter, whereupon he heard "a loud scream." The sergeant attempted CPR on the unresponsive Jessica, just days away from her 13th birthday, but was unable to revive her.
Physical Evidence and Social Media
A paramedic noted cuts on the deceased's leg and the handwritten "RIP" on her right heel. Detective Constable Hannah Friend stated that "notes were found referring to death and self-harm," including a hand-drawn image of a hanging figure. Jessica's iPad revealed "unpleasant" messages between her and friends in the days leading up to her death. A group photo with her face almost erased also caught the attention of investigators.
Friends and School
Friends of Jessica told police that she had previously self-harmed but never told her parents or teachers. However, the inquest revealed an incident at school in April 2016, where Jessica returned home with facial scratches and a swollen eye. She had apparently been in a fight with another girl, which was reported to the police but resulted in no charges due to the lack of identification. The name of the girl involved in that incident was found in Jessica's suicide note.
Despite the allegations, her friends maintained that she had never experienced bullying and was capable of standing up for herself. Jessica's teacher, Sarah Barron, confirmed the girl's concerns about her father's well-being.
A Burdened Child
Witness statements painted a picture of a young girl overwhelmed by responsibility. Christopher was said to have neglected Jessica, leaving her to do housework, cleaning, and cooking. "She carried too much weight on her young shoulders," Barron added.
Rev. Wendy Walsh, a school chaplain, described Jessica as "a little mother hen looking after her chicks." She had "a huge sense of responsibility not only to her father but also to her friends."
Cause of Death
The inquest concluded that Jessica Scattergood had died by suicide, using the method of hanging. While the investigation confirmed that she had experienced name-calling and occasional friendship difficulties, as is common among schoolchildren, there was no evidence of bullying or suicidal thoughts reported to school staff.
