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An orphan in New Hampshire has died by suicide just one week after his 13th birthday, following what his family described as relentless bullying at school.
Josiah Michael Dwinell, 13, died on March 12 after jumping from a bridge in Alstead, New Hampshire — just eight days after turning 13. The incident was confirmed by his aunt, Shaena Lyon, in a Facebook post.
According to an obituary, Josiah’s mother, Amber, died unexpectedly in 2021. He was subsequently taken in by his grandmother, who family members say did her best to address the bullying he faced.
It remains unclear whether Josiah was living with his five siblings.
Lyon said Josiah had been hospitalized multiple times and had tried to seek help, but his concerns were allegedly dismissed by some as attention-seeking.
“He was being bullied at school and on the bus, and not one person outside his home tried to help him,” she wrote.
She added that Josiah appeared to reach a breaking point after a bus ride home, after which he went to a bridge over a river and jumped. Family members noted that he did not know how to swim.
Describing him as “an amazing brother, son, nephew, and all-around young man,” Lyon said Josiah “brought light and joy” to those around him and that his loss has left an irreplaceable void.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to cover funeral expenses surpassed its initial $6,500 goal and had raised nearly $24,000 as of Sunday evening.
In the wake of his death, many of Josiah’s relatives updated their social media profile pictures to the teal and purple ribbon associated with suicide awareness.
