A 12-year-old girl is believed to have taken her own life after being targeted by bullies on Snapchat.

Amelia Bath, from Fontwell, West Sussex, was found dead in her bedroom by her mother last Friday morning.

She had spent the previous evening laughing and joking over a fish and chip supper at her grandparents’ nearby.

But friends later told her parents, company directors Steven and Marie Bath, that she had been relentlessly targeted by bullies on Snapchat in the weeks before she died.

Sussex Police launched a formal investigation after her family alerted them to the bullying claims.

Digital forensics officers were last night examining her iPhone and iPad for evidence of abusive messages sent by other children.

Her devastated aunt, Lisa Marsh, told the Daily Mail the family had no idea she was being targeted and said Amelia had seemed in good spirits in her final days.

She said: ‘There were no signs, no indication whatsoever that Amelia was being bullied.

‘The evening before she was found she’d gone with her parents to her grandparents’ home where she had fish and chips for tea.


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Amelia Bath, from Fontwell, West Sussex, was found dead in her bedroom by her mother last Friday morning

Friends later told her parents, company directors Steven and Marie Bath, that she had been relentlessly targeted by bullies on Snapchat in the weeks before she died (Pictured left to right: Marie Bath, older sister Olivia, Amelia and Steve Bath)
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Friends later told her parents, company directors Steven and Marie Bath, that she had been relentlessly targeted by bullies on Snapchat in the weeks before she died (Pictured left to right: Marie Bath, older sister Olivia, Amelia and Steve Bath)

‘She seemed happy and was laughing and joking but the following morning the family’s lives were turned upside down.

‘My sister found Amelia in her room when she went to get her ready for school the next morning.

‘Amelia’s friends said that she had been experiencing problems with bullies online on messaging services like Snapchat but we don’t know how long it had been going on for.

‘The police are now investigating and will look at Amelia’s iPhone and iPad.

‘Cyber bullying is an issue that needs to be highlighted because had she not received these kind of messages then we probably wouldn’t be in this situation.

‘Many parents don’t realise that their children are using social media for all the wrong reasons.

‘No family should go through this.

‘No family ever imagines facing a loss like this, and the shock and heartbreak have been overwhelming for everyone who knew and loved Amelia.

‘Our world has been shattered.’

Amelia was a popular pupil at The Regis School in nearby Bognor Regis, where classmates have left a shrine to her memory with flowers, soft toys and balloons.

Mrs Marsh said: ‘Amelia was an amazingly bright, funny, kind-hearted, and loving girl who filled every room with warmth and laughter.

‘She had the most beautiful soul and so much life ahead of her.

‘She was deeply loved and loved deeply in return.

‘The silence she has left behind is unbearable, and the hole in our hearts will never truly heal.

‘She was loved fiercely by so many.

Digital forensics officers were last night examining her iPhone and iPad for evidence of abusive messages sent by other children (Pictured: Amelia)
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Digital forensics officers were last night examining her iPhone and iPad for evidence of abusive messages sent by other children (Pictured: Amelia)

Sussex Police launched a formal investigation after her family alerted them to the bullying claims (Pictured: Amelia and her older sister Olivia)
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Sussex Police launched a formal investigation after her family alerted them to the bullying claims (Pictured: Amelia and her older sister Olivia)

Her devastated aunt, Lisa Marsh, told the Daily Mail the family had no idea she was being targeted and said Amelia had seemed in good spirits in her final days (Pictured: Floral tributes left for Amelia)
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Her devastated aunt, Lisa Marsh, told the Daily Mail the family had no idea she was being targeted and said Amelia had seemed in good spirits in her final days (Pictured: Floral tributes left for Amelia)

‘There has been a huge outpouring of grief at the school with children leaving notes, balloons and teddy bears.

‘It’s been incredible to see.

‘Our message would be that if someone is being bullied, especially online, then there is absolutely no shame in seeking help.

‘There is always someone you can turn to.’

Mrs Marsh has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to give her niece ‘the goodbye she truly deserves’ and to make a donation in her memory to Chestnut Tree House, a children’s hospice in Sussex and South East Hampshire.

She wrote on the page: ‘My sister Marie and her husband Steve have lost their youngest daughter, and Olivia has lost her little sister and best friend.

‘As a family, we want to come together to give Amelia the most special and heartfelt send-off possible – one that reflects just how loved and cherished she will always be.

‘In Amelia’s memory, we will be making a donation to Chestnut Tree House, a charity chosen by her family, so that some good and comfort can come from such unimaginable loss.’

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: ‘Emergency services were called to an address in Walberton, just before 7am on Friday, March 6.

‘Sadly, a 12-year-old girl was found deceased.

‘Her next of kin are aware and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

‘We are working alongside schools and partner agencies to support the girl’s family and others who have been impacted.

‘The death is not being treated as suspicious and the case has been referred to HM Coroner.’