A 14-YEAR-OLD boy has died just weeks after he made online videos complaining about a culture of bullying at his school and revealing he was gay.
Liam McAlpine, a pupil at Glenrothes High School, Fife, was found dead at home on Sunday afternoon.
It is not clear how he died but police are looking at the possibility it is linked to prescription drugs in circulation at schools in the area.
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In an online video recorded last month, he went public about being gay and anticipated ridicule from some classmates.
Police Scotland have confirmed his death was being treated as “unexplained”.
A friend of the family revealed it was Liam’s father, William, who discovered his son dead in his bedroom on Sunday.
Andrew Pieri, a friend of Liam’s father, said: “He was found dead in his bedroom by his dad. He was the son of my best friend and my heart goes out them.
“His dad is taking it hard, so am I. He started school with my son, Alex, 10 years ago. They were friends and grew up together. We watched them grow to be young men.
“No parent should have to bury their children first.”
Fife Council said they could not comment until the police investigation had been concluded.
Liam’s sister, Chelsea, posted a photograph of the pair together on social media, writing: “You were only 14 years old, you had your whole life ahead of you. I just remember sitting there for hours with you in your room and we would talk about random stuff.
You were always so happy and I remember you use to sing to me in Japanese.
“There’s so many things I didn’t get to tell you.”
Last month, Liam uploaded a video to YouTube entitled Bullying. In it, he talks about his own experience of dealing with bullies and urges others to talk to those around them to help them through difficult situations.
He also says Glenrothes High needs to “get their act together and get this bullying sorted”.
In a separate upload last month, titled Coming Out, Liam revealed he was gay and predicted a backlash from his fellow pupils.
On Monday, the day after Liam died, schools across Fife sent out a warning to parents revealing that three different types of prescription drugs were being shared among pupils in the area.
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One of the drugs, Citalopram, is known to treat “major” depression and, according to the NHS, has side effects including self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Parents are also concerned over news that Bedranol – a beta blocker that regulates and can speed up heart rates – has also been circulated among teenagers. Another is Fexofenadine – an antihistamine pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of allergy symptoms.
A police spokesman said: “We are investigating following the death of a 14-year-old boy at an address in Elgin Drive. The incident was reported to police around 3.40pm on Sunday.
“The death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are continuing.
“A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.”
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