9-year-old boy kills himself after school bullies torment him for coming out as gay

A nine year-old boy killed himself after school bullies tormented him for coming out as gay, his mother said.

Jamel Myles was found dead in his Denver home last Thursday, just four days in to the new school term.

His mother Leia Pierce blamed bullies for driving the youngster to suicide, and told KDVR how Jamel had been determined to be honest with his classmates about who he was.

Nine year-old Jamel Myles died four days after returning to his elementary school and telling his classmates that he was gay. His mother blames bullies for driving him to his death (Picture: KDVR)

Jamel’s mother Leia Pierce says she stood by her son’s decision to be open about who he was, and has called for the bullies who tormented Jamel to be held accountable for their actions (Picture: KDVR)

She said:

‘Four days is all it took at school. I could just imagine what they said to him.

‘My son told my oldest daughter the kids at school told him to kill himself. I’m just sad he didn’t come to me.’

Recalling how Jamel, a fourth grader at Shoemarker Elementary School, came out to her as gay over the summer, Pierce said:

‘And he looked so scared when he told me.

‘He was like, “Mom I’m gay.” And I thought he was playing, so I looked back because I was driving, and he was all curled up, so scared. And I said, “I still love you.”‘

‘He went to school and said he was gonna tell people he’s gay because he’s proud of himself.’

The grieving mother said Jamel had also discussed wanting to dress as a girl with her.