Mother speaks out after Corrine Lee-Cheu’s tragic death

A Queensland teen was sent a series of vulgar messages via social media and was bullied at school before she tragically took her life, her family says.

A 13-year-old Far North Queensland teen was sent a series of vulgar messages via social media and was bullied at school before she tragically took her life, her family says.

Her mother Jodie Fitzgerald said her beautiful daughter — Corrine (Kinny) Lee-Cheu — was found unresponsive on September 13, 2023, with her mobile phone by her side.

In the days leading up to her death Corrine had been told to “kill herself”, that she was an “ugly rat” and not pretty.

“My biggest (piece of) advice is delay giving them a phone or (access to) social media, Snapchat, Instagram, Sendit, because I tell you it’s so toxic for young people, I live with this regret everyday,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

One of the last photos of the family together, standing under the shade of a giant eucalyptus tree. Picture: Supplied.

It comes after the federal government committed to banning social media use for children, without confirming the detail, following News Corp’s Let Them Be Kids Campaign which called on kids under 16 to be restricted.

Ms Fitzgerald is bravely speaking out following the anniversary of her daughter’s death, calling for Education Queensland to implement better social media awareness and bullying procedures in schools.

She also believes governments at all levels could do more, including stopping social media platforms from spreading hate.

Mother, Jodie Fitzgerald with her daughter Corrine. Picture: Supplied.

“We need tougher laws, it’s (cyber-bullying) is just occurring too much, we can’t keep losing young kids,” she said.

“It’s just not taken seriously enough until it’s too late and now I will forever grieve the life my daughter can no longer have .... the young lady she would have grown up to be.”

Ms Fitzgerald added: “I want more awareness in schools ... when they have their 20 minutes of silence in morning care class, have a video of mental health running, put numbers (up) there to contact.

“Teens need to know we are listening and help is out there.”

Growing up in regional town, Kinny, was a shy girl, yet fearless and independent, with a deep love for the outback. Picture: Supplied.

Kinny and her brother Damien loved to go fishing together. Jodie remembers Kinny often "out fished" the rest of the family. Picture: Supplied.

Corrine was from Chillagoe, Queensland, a small town about 200km west of Cairns famous for its limestone caves and rural lifestyle.

Corrine was known for being shy, fearless and independent with a deep love of the outback.

“She had an old soul and would come across as a shy girl ... any chance she got she always got out bush,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Corrine lived in Atherton Tablelands, Western Australia and Cairns before settling in the Tablelands to be close to her “nanny” Patricia Stewart, who she had a deep bond with.

She was in year 8 at Atherton State High School where her family claim she was verbally abused, in person and via text and social media.

Mustering cattle in the bull catcher was one of Kinny's favourite activities on the property she lived. Kinny is pictured here with her siblings. Picture: Supplied.

She was also bashed by a group of students outside of school hours at a pedestrian crossing.

Ms Stewart said bullying was extremely toxic and must stop.

“You need to start from when they’re young — ‘No bullying’, ‘Don’t do this’ ... (people need to) express how and what bullying does to a person,” she said.

Ms Stewart believes year 7 students should be kept in a primary school setting.

“I think putting those kids into year 7 into a big high school should never have happened,” she said.

“They’re only babies and then they go from year 7 to year 8 so then these people that are in year 8 are like, ‘Oh well, I’m up here now’ and then they start the bullying.”

Kinny with her siblings as she celebrated turning 13-years-old. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Fitzgerald added she was frustrated cyber-bullying and suicide awareness were not openly discussed at schools.

“Not many people like to talk about it, but it’s a worse subject when they do end their life,” she said.

“After I lost Kinny I asked the detectives why it’s not spoken about enough, they said the reason it’s not is because it puts the idea in young people’s heads.”

Ms Fitzgerald and Ms Stewart believe Atherton State High School didn’t do enough to stop the bullying or reprimand the students responsible.

“We wanted to have a plaque made up of Corrine with support numbers on it for kids to call if they were in a bit of trouble, but they (the school) wouldn’t allow it,” Ms Stewart said.

“Even when the bullying did occur, Jodie tried to talk to the school and they were unhelpful.”

Since her death, Corrine’s One More Light Foundation was formed to raise awareness for mental health and cyber bullying, encouraging young people to “speak out loud, even if your voice trembles”.

“Our next aim is to hopefully get pamphlets made up and sent to all the communities, or where they are needed, to let kids and adults know we hear them, they matter, there is help out there,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Corrine’s family gather at the instillation of the first foundation sign in her memory. Picture: Supplied.

Sister Sienna Lee-Cheu, father Monty Lee-Cheu with mother Jodie Fitzgerald. Brothers Tristin Lee-Cheu, Damian Lee-Cheu and Liam Lee-Cheu (on Damian's shoulders). Picture: Supplied.

More than one year on from her daughter’s death, the pain is still excruciatingly raw for Corrine’s mother as she grapples with what she could have done differently.

“I know I’m not perfect and I probably should have been more aware or even more cautious about Snapchat but did I think my daughter was suicidal, definitely not,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said she had no inclination her daughter was being bullied at school or on via social media.

She also said she still carried regret that she couldn’t protect her “beautiful daughter” and is still haunted by the “what ifs”.

“You are so missed by everyone,” Ms Fitzgerald said, when asked what she would say to her daughter.

“Love you now and forever, if only you could have seen how much you were loved.”

Ms Stewart added: “Nanny will always love you darling and will always look after your siblings and Mum and Dad as I know that’s exactly what you would want,” Ms Stewart said.

Originally published as Mother speaks out after Corrine Lee-Cheu’s tragic death