Popular UK schoolgirl dies in 'emo sucide cult'
Pastor Dale Morgan
Popular UK schoolgirl dies in 'emo sucide cult'*
By Richard Alleyne
Last updated: 12:33 AM BST 08/05/2008
UK - A popular and fun-loving schoolgirl killed herself after becoming
involved in a self-harming youth cult which glamorises death, an inquest
has heard.
Hannah Bond, 13, hanged herself from a bunk bed in her bedroom with a
tie believing her death would impress fellow followers of the “emo”
movement, it was said.
The teenager, who left a suicide note and used the nickname “Living
Disaster”, committed suicide after flippantly telling her parents, “I
want to kill myself”, when she returned late from a friend’s house.
They dismissed the comment and said “don’t be silly” but an hour later
found her suspended an inch from the floor.
They dialled 999 and paramedics battled for over an hour to save her but
she had lost consciousness and died.
Roger Sykes, the coroner who recorded a verdict of suicide, found
aspects of the youth movement, which began in America, “very disturbing”.
He said: “A girl of 13 years old has taken her own life for no reason
that by anyone could be found to be justifiable.
“It is a terrible and tragic explanation to what happened. It is not
glamorous, just simply a tragic loss of such a young life.”
Maidstone Coroners’ Court heard that Hannah, of East Peckham, Kent, had
lived a double life, outwardly a bright fun-loving family-orientated
schoolgirl, but inwardly a devotee of “emo” which stands for emotional.
She had secretly chatted to “emo” followers online all over the world,
talking about death and the glamorisation of hanging and speaking about
“the black parade” - a place where “emos” believe they go after they die.
She had even scratched her wrists in a form of self-harm often seen as a
form of initiation into the popular fashion and lifestyle fad followed
by young people who dress in black like their older “Goth” crowd.
On her page on Bebo, the online networking site, she told friends with
names like Sam Suicide, that she was obsessed with the American band My
Chemical Romance, who hit number one with their last album The Black Parade.
In a tribute book dedicated to Hannah at her school, one of her friends
wrote, “I hope you enjoy the black parade”, and it emerged another “emo”
girl at Hannah’s school, Mascalls Secondary School in Paddock Wood,
Kent, had tried to kill herself a year ago.
Her mother Heather, a housewife, told the court how she originally
thought “emo” was a harmless youth movement.
She said: “She called emo a fashion and I thought it was normal. I
didn’t know about the cuts. She used to wear Emo bracelets so her wrists
were concealed.
“Hannah was just a normal girl. She had loads of friends. She could be a
bit moody but I thought it was just because she was a teenager. In the
months before she had become obsessed with the internet.
“But there were no signs this was going to happen. She had everything to
live for.”
Her father Raymond, a martial arts instructor who broke down as he gave
evidence, said he had noticed the marks on her wrist.
He said: “We discussed it when I noticed the marks. When I was younger I
was a punk and we used to do tattoos and things, but I wasn’t angry with
her because she promised me she would never do it again.
“Although she was in touch with emos all over the world, particularly in
America, she was still in touch with the same girl she always was.
“The night before she died she came into my room and gave me a kiss on
the cheek and said 'I love you dad.’”
Vanessa Everett, her headteacher, told the inquest that none of her
teachers felt she had any issues.
“She was a popular and bright girl who had achieved merits day in and
day out right up until the day of her death,” she said.
She said they had been aware of “superficial self-harm” among younger
students who had joined the emo clan, but said it was difficult to
determine those intent on harming themselves and those using it as “a
fashion statement.”
What is 'emo'?
Emo, which stands for "emotional, is a youth movement based around dark
music, dark clothing and a dark view of the world.
It was pioneered in America and emo followers adhere to a host of
cult-like conventions to demonstrate dedication to this new wave of pop
music and lifestyle.
The emo brand of music sounds much like indie or rock, but it takes its
unique name from the emotional lyrics and melancholy themes.
One of the forerunners of this genre is the band My Chemical Romance
from New Jersey, America.
While most fans simply enjoy the music and dress, others take their
fascination to a sinister level.
They indulge in self-harming and become obsessed with death and suicide.