Colorado Town Shocked After 11-Year-Olds Commit Suicide

Correction Appended

Two 11-year-olds shocked a northern Colorado community when they killed themselves in the same week. One of the victims was bullied and allegedly told she should kill herself, family and friends said.

The pair of Fort Collins sixth graders took their own lives last week, although it’s unclear if the two deaths are connected, the Coloradoan reported Monday.

An 11-year-old boy who attended Blevins Middle School committed suicide late Saturday just days after a girl at another middle school in the same school district died from self-inflicted injuries, according to the newspaper.

Mourners launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for anti-bullying organization Stomp Out Bullying and urged parents to talk with their children about the dangers of bullying.

“This is unacceptable, and we need to empower our children to speak out and get help,” the page says. “Hug your babies.”

The female victim was allegedly taunted by bullies who told her “she should kill herself,” according to the fundraising page. It was unclear how the male victim was bullied.

“We must validate each other’s feelings during this tragedy and help others know that we’re not alone in this world,” the girl’s obituary read. “Our ‘little love’ will truly be missed.”

Fort Collins is about 60 miles north of Denver and is home to Colorado State University.

Nearly 80 people have committed suicide in the county this year, according to the Coloradoan.

[Coloradoan]

Correction: The original version of this story misstated which victims were bullied. Only the female victim was bullied.