Investigation into B.C. teen’s suicide nets 400 tips from around the globe

In life, Amanda Todd feared she was all alone; In death, she has captured the attention of people from around the world, focusing a spotlight on the plight of those who continue to face down the torments of bullies.

The RCMP announced Saturday that more than 400 tips from around the globe have come into an email account, set up after the apparent suicide of the 15-year-old Port Coquitlam, B.C., teen.

Meantime, media from around the world, including online publications in England, the United States, Australia and Asia, have picked up the tragic tale.

“At this point, we’ve got upwards of 20 to 25 full-time investigators that are working on this to try to gain enough information and enough evidence to potentially lay charges against any individual or individuals that may have played a role here in some way,” said Sgt. Peter Thiessen.

At the beginning of September, Todd posted a nine-minute video on YouTube, and through hand-written notes, she explained what happened after she exposed her breasts on a webcam to an unidentified man.

The images ended up being sent to family and friends, and she described how she suffered anxiety, major depression and turned to drugs and alcohol and even tried to kill herself twice.

The video ends with her note: “I have nobody. I need someone.”

The BC Coroners Service has said preliminary indications suggest Todd took her own life last Wednesday.

On Friday, the RCMP set up an email account so people could submit tips — amandaTODDinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Thiessen said by Saturday investigators had received more than 400 tips from around the globe, and police are encouraging the public to provide even more information.

Investigators are prioritizing those tips and are trying to determine which ones need to be acted on first, said Thiessen.

He said police are also asking individuals to stop posting inappropriate and hurtful comments and images online that continue to re-victimize the Todd family and others.

He said police are even getting complaints from young girls and adults because of those images.

“They’re being impacted by it and they’re quite emotional discussions that we’re having from these people that are calling us,” he said.

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