Suicide of Adriana Kuch

Adriana Olivia Kuch was a 14-year-old student at Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey who committed suicide on February 3, 2023 after a video was shared across her school of her being attacked by four classmates.[1][2][3]

On February 10, 2023,[4] three students were charged with third degree felony assault, and one was charged with disorderly conduct.[1]

A walkout was staged on February 8, 2023, to protest bullying at her school.[5] A memorial for her was held on February 10, 2023, at the Mastapeter Memorial Home.[1]

Incident

On February 1, 2023,[6] Adriana was filmed walking in the hallway with her boyfriend when she was jumped and repeatedly struck in the face with a water bottle by a female student. Adriana collapsed to the floor, and the girl proceeded to beat her by pulling her hair and striking her in the head. Off camera, at least two kids could be heard cheering on the assault.[1][7]

Two school employees broke up the assault and Adriana was sent to the nurse as she blacked out and had severe bruises.[1][7]

The video was then posted online where Adriana experienced cyberbullying.[8]

Reactions

Michael Kuch, Adriana's father expressed outrage that police were not called despite Adriana having bruises and having blacked out.[6]

The school superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides said in a statement "It is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.".[8] He later disclosed the student's personal information and blamed the student's death on her "poor decisions" including her family situation and marijuana use. He later resigned due to these comments. Adriana's father responded to his comments by describing him as a "piece of shit".[9]

Aftermath

The suicide of Adriana Kuch led many families, students, advocates and lawmakers to call for more state intervention into bullying and harassment. Some state lawmakers and parents advocated for legislation requiring assaults that cause injury to be reported to law enforcement.[10] Lawmakers proposed "Adriana's Law" which would make the sharing of bullying videos illegal.[11]

A walkout was held by parents and students on February 8, 2023, to protest bullying at the school.[5][8]

The Central Regional School District wrote in a statement that it was "evaluating all current and past allegations of bullying" and "The District has contacted the Department of Education and will undergo an independent assessment of the District's anti-bullying policies and ensure every necessary safeguard is in place to protect our students and staff."[9]

The family of Adriana Kuch filed a lawsuit against the Central Regional Board of Education alleging that officials were aware of "a culture of violence at Central Regional High School" and failed to protect her.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jackie Roman (February 9, 2023). "N.J. family, students demand culture change after 14-year-old dies by suicide". nj.com. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  2. ↑ Michael Rothfeld; Christina Caron (February 13, 2023). "After Teen's Suicide, a New Jersey Community Grapples With Bullying". NYTimes. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  3. ↑ Katie Kindelan (February 18, 2023). "Students speak out about bullying after fellow student dies by suicide". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  4. ↑ Bevan Hurley (February 18, 2023). "Adriana Kuch died by suicide after an attack by a gang of bullies. Her loved ones place blame on the school". Independent. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Bayville students stage walkout to bring attention to bullying after teen's suicide". News12. February 8, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Minyvonne Burke (February 10, 2023). "4 students charged in N.J. school hallway attack on girl who killed herself days later". NBC News. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Christine Sloan (February 10, 2023). "Father: 14-year-old daughter took own life after videos posted of her getting beat up in N.J. school". CBS News. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Michelle Charlesworth (February 9, 2023). "Father demands justice for daughter who took her life after video of school bullying surfaced". ABC7. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Alec Shemmel (February 13, 2023). "N.J. superintendent resigns after pinning bullied student's suicide on 'poor choices'". ABC4. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  10. ↑ Genesis Obando (February 23, 2023). "NJ's anti-bullying laws throughout the years". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  11. ↑ Brenda Flanagan. "'Adriana's Law' would target school-related cyberbullying". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ Phil Helsel (January 30, 2024). "Family of teen who died by suicide after video of her assault was posted online sues school". NBC News. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
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