Charlotte O’Brien’s Tragic Story: How School Bullying Changed Everything

This story is just heartbreaking. Charlotte O’Brien was just 12 years old, in Year 7, and going to Santa Sabina College, an all-girls school. She had been dealing with bullying for a while, especially from the older girls, and things got really bad. Sadly, after going through all that and battling depression, she ended up taking her own life. Her family is devastated, and they’ve been speaking out, demanding answers for why this was allowed to happen.

This whole thing came out around September 15, 2024, when Charlotte’s family decided to share what really happened. Apparently, she had told the school before about what was going on, but instead of doing something, the school kind of ignored it to protect their reputation. Can you imagine? Like, she was in such a bad place, she left a note saying she just couldn’t handle life anymore. It’s just beyond sad.

Ben Fordham, the host from 2GB, got to talk with her family in private, and he shared some really heartbreaking details about everything on his show. Her dad even wrote a letter that Fordham read, saying how their lives will never be the same and that they miss Charlotte every single day. What makes it even worse is that the girls who bullied her are still at that school. No punishment. Nothing. Like, they just get to carry on, while Charlotte’s family is left with this huge hole in their lives.

Apparently, Charlotte had been on medication and in therapy, trying to get through all the pain. Her situation just got worse over time, and even though her family tried to get the school to help, they didn’t do anything. She would even text her mom about how much pain she was in. One of her messages said, “My body fills with pain until my heart explodes.” Can you imagine how much hurt she must’ve been feeling?

Santa Sabina College did finally make a statement after all this came out. The principal, Paulina Skerman, thanked people for supporting Charlotte’s family. But then she also said she didn’t know about some of the claims shared on 2GB. It’s like… how do you not know what’s going on at your own school?

What really made me feel for Charlotte was when one of her friends spoke up. She said Charlotte had sent her a Snapchat on September 9 where she was crying. Charlotte said she was going to shower and would call her friend back, but she never did. That was the day she took her own life in the shower.

Charlotte’s mom blames herself sometimes, like all parents would, but she also said she doesn’t want other students blaming themselves. Her message was super emotional. She just doesn’t want any other mom to go through what she did — waking up and realizing their child is gone. I can’t even imagine that kind of pain.

It’s so important that we talk about this stuff. If you or someone you know is going through something like this, you have to reach out for help. Lifeline and Beyond Blue are there for people who need it.