Alyssa Funke's Mother Insists Cyberbullying Contributed To Suicide

Mother Insists Cyberbullying From Porn Video Contributed To Daughter's Suicide

The mother of Alyssa Funke, a 19-year-old college student who committed suicide last month after her appearance in a porn video, insisted harassment led to her daughter's death.

“Alyssa was bullied her whole life,” Melissa Funke told Radar Online. "After all this recent bullying, she couldn’t handle it anymore."

Alyssa Funke killed herself in April, weeks after a pornographic film featuring her was posted online. Her family told local news media they believe online harassment from people who saw the video contributed.

Alyssa Funke had been a straight-A student at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she studied biology. She was originally from Stillwater, Minnesota.

"Alyssa said she was upset about all the bullying, and texted, ‘I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to die,’” Melissa Funke told Radar Online. "I was shopping at Walmart, so I said, 'I'm going to call you as soon as I get home.' She said, 'OK, I'm going to take a shower. I love you!'"

Shortly after that exchange, Alyssa Funke took her own life, according to Radar Online.

Melissa Funke told the Daily Mail her daughter had been bullied as a child because she "didn't have the nice things" her classmates did.

Police have said they do not believe the online taunts constitute criminal harassment and plan no charges. Melissa Funke said she's frustrated there will be no punishment for the people who she said bullied her daughter over porn.

The video was removed from the porn website following the suicide.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

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