Overview

• Paolo Mendico died by suicide in the early hours of 11 September, just before the first day of school.
• About a thousand people marched by torchlight in Santi Cosma e Damiano on 20 September, with teachers, the school principal and the archbishop of Gaeta taking part and banners reading “Stop bullismo.”
• The education ministry has begun inspections at the schools Paolo attended, and investigators have interviewed witnesses, including his parents, and seized phones and computers for forensic analysis.
• The family says repeated bullying was reported over the years and has accused some teachers of contributing to Paolo’s isolation, while a childhood friend said he had defended Paolo from bullies since elementary school.
• Brother Ivan renewed calls for justice and said the family plans a foundation named “Memupe” to support anti-bullying efforts and assistance for students.