‘Catfished’: Girl, 12, dies after alleged bullying at Brisbane school

A family is devastated after the Year 7 girl was found dead after being subjected to bullying at an Aussie school.

A young schoolgirl took her own life after allegedly being “catfished” by schoolmates “who preyed on her vulnerability”, according to her distraught family.

Ella Catley-Crawford, 12, was found on October 27 having felt like “she was the problem” after becoming the target of bullies at a prestigious Brisbane school.

The girl died a week later at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

“We are numb and broken, especially for our sister, Julie, who has lost her best friend, the love of her life, and her only child,” Ella’s family wrote on a fundraiser set up to support her mother.

“Ella was a bright and quirky 12-year-old who faced unimaginable challenges.”

Ella and her mother Julie. Picture: Supplied

Ella had only started at a school this year after receiving an academic scholarship.

According to her family, she “became the victim of a cruel catfishing scheme” by the end of her first term.

“They shared her personal photos across social media, leading to bullying, isolation, and the start of a difficult mental health journey of trying to fit in.”

She later left the school where the alleged bullying took place.

The Courier Mail reports Andrew Johnson, the principal of Redlands College, where she was moved to after the alleged bullying at her previous school, expressed his condolences about Ella’s death in a message to Year 7 parents on Sunday.

Ella’s mother said netball was her daughter’s “happy place”, according to the Raiders Netball Club Redlands as it paid tribute to its player.

“It is with deep sadness that our club share the absolutely devastating news of the passing of one of our young Raiders players, Ella, who played in our U12s team,” it said on Facebook.

“Our love, thoughts and prayers are with Ella’s family and we are so deeply sorry for the loss of such a beautiful young girl.”

Ella Catley-Crawford, 12, died after alleged bullying at her school.

The schoolgirl’s death bears hallmarks of a similarly tragic incident in Sydney, where Charlotte O’Brien died by suicide on September 9.

Her death sparked outrage in the community and questions over how bullying is handled by schools.

Ella’s family, on a GoFundMe page which has raised more than $95,000, said “social media bullying is real”.

“If you ask if we are angry – yes, we are. If you ask if we are sad – absolutely. And if you ask if the system let her down – it did.

“This catastrophic reality has changed our family’s history forever.

“Social media and online presence pose real dangers, and despite our efforts to keep our children safe, technology can become an addictive lifeline, especially when they feel isolated.

“Tragically, Ella felt like she was the problem and, on October 27th, she took her own life.

“In her final act of kindness, Ella was able to donate her organs through Donate Life, giving the gift of life to others – a testament to her compassionate spirit.”