Police are investigating vicious Internet postings sent before and after a popular West Islip teenager committed suicide.
CBS 2 HD spoke with her grieving family.
"I just think it's important that parents understand to hug their kids every day because you never really know when you're not going to be able to," Thomas Pilkington said.
An emotional Pilkington spoke following the suicide death of his 17-year-old daughter Alexis, a West Islip High School senior who was set to enjoy a soccer scholarship to Dowling. Alexis had what every teen might dream of: a sports star with beauty, brains, talent and a deep love of her family and community.
But almost as shocking as the suicide have been the dozens of comments posted on social networking sites directed at Alexis -- before and after her death. The comments were anonymous, obscene and insulting.
"She was obviously a stupid depressed -- who deserved to kill herself. she got what she wanted. be happy for her death. rejoice in it," wrote one person.
"It's just sad to see this happen in our town. You never expect something like this to happen, especially to a girl like her," friend Cristian Murphy said.
West Islip parent Michael Strucuzza is demanding his town council get involved.
"I'm taking all the posts to them today and what we're going to do is give them to the district attorney's office, to try to track these people and look for retribution," Strucuzza said.
The postings to Alexis' memorial page have compounded her friends' loss.
"Everyone she was friends with she had such an impact on. I just wish she knew it...," classmate Danielle Dilevo said.
On Friday 45 Long Island school districts will be attending a keeping kids safe from cyber bullying conference sponsored by Child Abuse Prevention Services.
"We need to work that group of kids -- the silent majority -- the bystanders who are probably very much affected by this and feel terrible but are afraid to take even the slightest risk to put themselves out there to stop it or support the victim," said CAPS' Alane Fagin.
The Pilkingtons will not lay blame. They said their daughter had been in counseling.
"Teenage suicide, it is one of the most painful things you can go through and there is no one answer," Thomas Pilkington said.
Police said investigators are monitoring the postings and will take action if deemed to be of a criminal nature.
A cyber bullying prevention bill is now being considered in Washington. It would make electronic communication intended to coerce, intimidate or harass a federal crime.
David Mikael Taclino
Inyu Web Development and Design
Creative Writer
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