The Alexis Pilkington Facebook nightmare didn’t end with the New York teen suicide. Even after her death, cyber-bullies continued to post harassing internet messages on her Facebook page that was intended to stand as a memorial to the popular teenage athlete. A photo a video tribute to her are below.
Alexis Skye Pilkington was 17-years-old and a member of the West Islip High School soccer team in Wwest Islip, New York. She was a stand-out on her team and was well-liked by her peers. Alexis, known as Lexi Pilkington, also played lacrosse and participated in other extra-curricular activities at her school. She had graduated from high school early and was preparing to start school at Dowling College in the fall on a soccer scholarship.
She was found in her bedroom on Monday morning, March 22, 2010. She had apparently committed suicide. Her father said she had been undergoing counseling at the time of her death, but didn’t specify the reason for speculate as to why she might have killed herself.
Suffolk County Police are investigating the vicious Facebook messages that were posted before and after the teenager committed suicide. The messages ranged from being disrespectful to being cruel and hurtful. The family has asked her friends and classmates to ignore them and not give them fodder for continuing with their cyber-bullying on her memorial page. Her father says he doesn’t want to give the perpetrators an audience.
Thomas Pilkington, Alexis’ father says that he believes the people who posited the vile messages are probably a handful of ‘cowards’. He also says he believes in Karma and they will get what’s coming to them. Alexi’s mother, Paula Pilkington, pleaded for children not to go there. She said that her daughter is gone forever and now the family has to deal with the heartache of their lose.
A Pilkington family friend, Michael Stracuzza, has been sending prosecutors information on all the harassing posts that have been put on the Facebook memorial site. He says that neither he nor the Pilkington family think that the cyber-stalking led to Alexis Pilkington’s suicide. Even so, they all say the believe the people responsible for the postings should be prosecuted because of the pain the messages are causing the people who loved her.
Over 4,300 friends of Alexis are boycotting the social networking site. Her West Islip High School classmats are honoring her memory through activism, fund-raising and tribute tattoos.
While no one blames the cyber-bullying for the teen suicide, it has certainly added a level of pain and suffering for the family. The Alexis Pilkington Facebook nightmare has turned into a continuing nightmare for her family and friends. The anonymity of the internet makes it easy to be cruel as there are few, if any, consequences, socially or otherwise, for behaving just as badly as anyone wants to behave when no one knows who is doing it. Sadly, some people have used that anonymity to be very hurtful in this situation.
You can watch the memorial video of Alexis Skye Pilkington below which includes many more pictures of her.
Alexis Pilkington Memorial Video
March 28th, 2010 at 6:08 am
I’ve linked to this article in the news section of my site; the link should be posted within 48 hours.
March 28th, 2010 at 8:23 am
who cares about this bi!ch!
March 28th, 2010 at 11:49 am
i feel really bad for anyone who knew her and i hope her family is okay…..and those rude comments…..really…..need….to “stop”
March 28th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Johnnie, I highly doubt anyone cares about you, and honestly you should also be one of the harassers to be prosecuted.
March 30th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
wow i feel bad .. noone should be bothered by cyberbullying .. i hope they catch everyone .. i hate suicide stories =(
March 31st, 2010 at 5:52 am
This goes out to Alexis family, i am deeply sorry for your loss. Alexis was a beatiful girl. She look fun and loving and was a soccer star. I am so sorry you guys have to go through this. Alexis, may you rest in peace. I am so sorry for the pain you were put through by these cyber bullies. they dont understand what i can do to others. But, you are in peace now. Family, i hope you feel bettter and get through this hard time. NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH THIS AND NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT ALEXIS DID, so stop and prevent cyber bulling. R.I.P Alexis<3
March 31st, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Alexis seems like a very put together girl. I can understand why it may have been hard to believe that she would have killed herself. I am very sorry about the mean comments that have been posted. However, I am just wondering if maybe she didn’t kill herself? Maybe she was playing the choking game? please check out my link to learn more
March 31st, 2010 at 5:47 pm
seriously johnie ur a ******* ******** how dare u say anything about her u a ******douche
March 31st, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter,and sorry for the mean people who have no right to send rude email comments about her. Please see the website I have linked here, it is a support group for parents who have lost their children, perhaps this is something that can give you some bit of comport to know you are not alone in your loss. There may be a group that meets in your hometown area. I am am group leader in Nevada, feel free to email me.
March 31st, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Johnnie, get a life. Don’t you dare disrespect a deceased person, that is so wrong in so many ways. People obviously had to care about her to even write this article. And she has friends and family who miss her, who doesn’t? So next time, think before you say something.