Source: Times (London), BBC News
A schoolgirl has been found hanged from a tree in an apparent suicide -- a year after a fellow pupil killed himself after being bullied.

Belinda Allen, 14, was a pupil at Tanbridge House School in Horsham, West Sussex. Ben Vodden, 11, had been taunted by other pupils there and a school bus driver before he hanged himself in December 2006.

A dog walker found the girl's body suspended from a tree on Tuesday. She had a scarf tied around her neck. Police and ambulance crews were called following the discovery of Belinda, but she was later pronounced dead at Worthing Hospital.

Her parents, Kevin and Lindsey Allen, and her older brother, Russell, said in a statement yesterday: “Belinda was much loved by all of her family and friends. She was bright, bubbly, fun-loving and kind. We are all going to miss her very much.”

A friend of Belinda’s, who asked not to be named, said that Belinda was also a victim of bullying at the school and was called a lesbian by classmates who laughed at her dress sense.

The BBC reported yesterday that bullying is not being investigated as a possible factor in the girl's suicide.

According to the BBC report, head teacher Jules White said in a letter to parents that inquiries by police and other authorities confirmed bullying was not an issue.

Police have said that they are not treating her death as suspicious.

In a letter, Mr White told parents: "I must reiterate that my thoughts continue to remain with Belinda's family who have acted with great strength and integrity throughout this very difficult period.

"Of course this tragic event will inevitably stir many difficult and unpleasant emotions from the past," the headmaster wrote. 

But the Times talked to fellow students who disagreed with the Mr White's assessment. The 15-year-old friend of Belinda told the paper's reporter, “I knew Belinda was being bullied, but I didn’t know how badly she had taken it. On the outside she was happy and bubbly.

“It wasn’t so much a particular gang that bullied Belinda, it was just a variety of different people at the school, but that’s what it’s like at schools these days. Kids are like that. They bully people for anything, whether it’s true or not.”

Belinda, of Southwater, West Sussex, was a budding dancer who had hopes of studying at a performing arts school. She left suicide notes addressed to her parents and teachers.

Friends posted tributes to Belinda on community websites. Laura Kingdon, a close friend, wrote: “We will miss you, and you are always in our thoughts.”

Hinting at the girl’s troubles, Beka Jackson, a classmate, wrote: “I know that you were in a bad state but I was here for you and I told you that every day. I shall miss you. The thing my mind can’t get over is the fact that I only spoke to you yesterday. I thought that we would graduate Tanbridge together and keep in contact, but now I guess that shall not come true. The pain is unknown to my mind and body its physically and mentally a huge shock to everyone.”

Full article: Girl is second pupil found hanged after suffering taunts by bullies - Times Online
Bullying 'ruled out' over death | BBC News