ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Netflix show accused of inspiring two teens to commit suicide within days of each other

Their grieving parents are blaming the controversial series. - by that's life!
  • 28 Jun 2017
Netflix show accused of inspiring two teens to commit suicide within days of each other
Netflix

Two 15-year-old girls killed themselves days apart, after watching the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why.

 

The controversial show, which followed the life and death of teenager Hannah Baker, made headlines worldwide upon its release, with many saying the series glorified suicide. 

Here in Australia, mental health organisation Headspace issued a warning, and in New Zealand, anyone under the age of 18 was required to watch the show with adult supervision. 

Now the families of Bella Herndon and Priscilla Chiu are saying the show is to blame for the deaths of the teenage girls. 

Bella, who was just days short of her 16th birthday, was found in her room by her mum and died after more than a week on life support. 

Her dad, John Herndon, told local California channel KTVU: "There’s no word that describes my contempt for the people that did this."

"You can’t convince me that they were trying to attract people’s attention to the issue of suicide by showing a little girl killing herself. There’s nothing positive about that."

"Don’t go through with the renewal for the second season of 13 Reasons Why. Stop this. This is wrong. You’re making money off the misery of others."

Priscilla Chiu's uncle, Peter Chiu, says he should've noticed the signs. The 15-year-old had battled depression, her grades were dropping and she told him she hated school.

“And I feel like the absolute worst adult because I kept forcing her to go to school,” he said.

Peter is now asking Selena Gomez, one of the show's executive producers, to speak to the influential teenagers watching, and to tell them that there's other options.

“I would implore and beg Selena Gomez because she has a huge platform to please reach out to our kids and please tell them there are other options. There are other resources out there. This is not a way out for you,” he wrote on Facebook. 

Priscilla Chiu and Bella Herndon - Frank Sommerville Interview "13 Reasons Why"

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline for 24/7 support on 13 11 14 or visit the website at lifeline.org.au. If it’s an emergency, call 000.

This article first published on Marie Claire.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

The Travelling Bridesmaid Dress

The Travelling Bridesmaid Dress

I Helped Free An Innocent Man

I Helped Free An Innocent Man

Hero Mum: Two Minutes To Save Our Lives!

Hero Mum: Two Minutes To Save Our Lives!

Pint sized cowboy

Brave Byron: The Littlest Buckeroo

{headline}

{headline}

I Was A Human Fireball!

I Was A Human Fireball!

I'm An Eco Mum

I'm An Eco Mum

I've Made $40,000 Selling Trash

I've Made $40,000 Selling Trash

{headline}

{headline}

Ruby's Legacy

Ruby's Legacy

Can You Believe We're Twins!

Can You Believe We're Twins!

Meet Rave Granny

Meet Rave Granny

There Was A Snake In Our Bed!

There Was A Snake In Our Bed!

I'm a Waste Warrior

I'm a Waste Warrior

Truckies Saved My Boy's Birthday

Truckies Saved My Boy's Birthday

Hedley Thomas: I pursued a killer

Hedley Thomas: I pursued a killer

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • Hard to Find
  • Australian Women's Weekly
© 2023 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of our publications.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!