Isla Marschke, 14, from Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, tragically ended her own life after battling mental health issues and enduring years of bullying. Isla, who suffered from anxiety, OCD, and autism, had recently transitioned to distance education in an attempt to escape the bullying she experienced at her previous school, Shalom College. Her struggles, however, persisted.
Ava, Isla’s elder sister, detailed the relentless bullying her sister was a victim of. Ava stated, “I’ve had to message them before to leave Isla alone, and I’ve had to speak to them at school… because it just gets so out of hand.” Despite Isla’s departure from traditional schooling, Ava noted the negative impact the bullying had on her sister.
Daniel McMahon, the Principal of Shalom College, acknowledged that Isla was undeniably a victim of bullying during her time at the Catholic school. He indicated that while the school’s teachers tried to manage the bullying incidents, some were done covertly, making them difficult to address. He further revealed that some of the bullies were not students of Shalom College. McMahon underscored that Isla’s case reveals more significant issues such as mental health and the lack of adequate support services in rural areas. He emphasized that Isla faced numerous complex challenges and assigning blame to specific individuals would neither be accurate nor helpful.
On the evening of Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Christie Jacobson, Isla’s mother, found her daughter unresponsive in their backyard. Despite her efforts to perform CPR, it was too late. A brief note discovered in Isla’s room stated, “I’m sorry, I love you mum.”
Jacobson expressed the difficulties she faced when trying to find therapy for her daughter. After months of searching, she was either turned away because Isla was deemed too young by child psychologists or because the providers were fully booked. Jacobson also found it very difficult to secure follow-up care for Isla, as she often faced refusals when she sought help.
The dance academies where Isla practiced remembered her for her lively and cheerful spirit. TNT Dance Academy stated that Isla brought a positive and fun-loving energy, while LA Dance Academy noted that her absence has made the world less bright.
Andy McLucas, Isla’s stepfather, described her as a unique and spirited individual with a distinctive sense of humor. He mentioned her talent as a singer, adding that she had recently been invited to record the national anthem for her school.
In the hours leading up to her death, Isla had been discussing upcoming birthdays with her sister, Ava, making her sudden death all the more shocking. Ava recalled that Isla seemed perfectly fine at that time.
A GoFundMe page set up to help cover Isla’s funeral expenses raised almost $60,000, demonstrating the community’s support for the bereaved family.