The hashtag #LLAW has become prominent across social media platforms, drawing attention to the heartbreaking story of Aubreigh Wyatt. Aubreigh, a 13-year-old from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, tragically died by suicide on September 4, 2023. Her story quickly gained widespread attention online, fueled by her mother’s courageous sharing of her grief and the circumstances surrounding Aubreigh’s death.
In the wake of her devastating loss, Aubreigh’s mother, Heather Wyatt, turned to social media, particularly TikTok, to express her grief and share her daughter’s story. This act of sharing resonated deeply, and soon Aubreigh’s name and image began to circulate widely online. The hashtag #LLAW, which stands for “Live Like Aubreigh Wyatt,” emerged as a rallying cry of support and remembrance.
Heather Wyatt publicly stated that relentless bullying contributed to Aubreigh’s suicide. She alleged that at least four girls were involved in bullying Aubreigh, who was an 8th-grade student at the time of her death, according to Newsweek. Driven by grief and a desire for accountability, Heather called for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions.
While Heather Wyatt refrained from publicly naming the alleged bullies, online investigators took it upon themselves to identify the girls she implicated. The names of these teenagers were then widely disseminated across the internet. Furthermore, purported text message exchanges between Heather and Aubreigh, detailing instances of alleged bullying, were also shared online, intensifying the online discourse surrounding the case.
This online activity led to a significant legal response. The parents of the four teenage girls identified online filed a lawsuit against Heather Wyatt, accusing her of defamation and slander, as reported by The Washington Post. Following the lawsuit filing on July 2nd, a judge issued a controversial ruling mandating that Heather Wyatt shut down all of her social media accounts, according to the same outlet. This ruling sparked immediate backlash from numerous social media users who viewed it as a violation of Heather’s freedom of speech, as reported by The Sun Herald. Supporters of Heather, including prominent TikTok personalities, voiced their solidarity and support for her situation.
Ophelia Nichols, widely known as Mama Tot on TikTok, emerged as a vocal supporter, posting a message of support for Heather Wyatt. This TikTok video went viral, amassing over 11 million views. In her message, Nichols stated, “Since Aubreigh’s mama can’t speak for her, (court ordered) I suppose we will.” She further urged her followers, “When their voice is silenced, use yours,” effectively amplifying the message and the #LLAW movement.
The legal complaint against Heather Wyatt, as detailed by Newsweek, stated that “As a direct and proximate cause of the false, defamatory, and slanderous social media posts of the defendant, Heather Wyatt, the plaintiffs’ minor children have been receiving insulting and revolting messages from around the world attacking them, calling them vulgar names, sexualizing them. These young ladies WERE IN THE 8TH GRADE!!” This highlighted the severe online repercussions faced by the accused teenagers.
However, in a surprising turn of events, on July 16th, the parents of the teenagers dropped the lawsuit against Heather Wyatt. Vicksburg News reported this development, and PEOPLE reviewed the court filing, confirming that the case was “dismissed without prejudice.” This dismissal means that the parents retain the option to refile the lawsuit in the future if they choose to do so.
It remains uncertain whether the judge will now lift the social media ban imposed on Heather Wyatt. As of the latest reports, Heather’s social media profiles, which had become a significant platform for sharing her story and garnering global attention, remain offline.
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Aubreigh Wyatt. Aubreigh Wyatt/TikTok
In the midst of this tragedy, the Wyatt family established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover escalating legal expenses. Heather Wyatt described her daughter in the fundraiser as “vibrant, kind, and exceptionally bright.” The GoFundMe page emphasized the financial strain, stating, “As we strive for justice and accountability, we have encountered a significant financial obstacle.” To date, the campaign has successfully raised over $110,000, demonstrating widespread public support.
Aubreigh’s obituary (https://www.bradfordokeefe.com/obituaries/aubreigh-wyatt) paints a picture of a young girl full of life. It mentions that Aubreigh “loved the beach, her friends, gymnastics, riding four wheelers and making TikToks.” She is survived by her mother, sister, brother, and grandfather, leaving behind a family deeply affected by her loss.
In recent times, Heather Wyatt has channeled her grief into advocacy, using her platform to raise awareness about mental health care. In a GoFundMe update on July 11th, Heather encouraged people to donate to “local therapists and counselors” and to “check in with local crisis centers to see if there’s anyone that needs help,” highlighting the urgent need for mental health support within communities.
Trey Brennan, the spokesperson for Ocean Springs School District, issued a public statement to PEOPLE concerning the tragic events.
“Ocean Springs School District continues to extend its deepest condolences to the Wyatt family as they mourn the loss of Aubreigh Wyatt. Whenever our school community experiences a loss, we offer resources through both district and external channels, including counseling services, to assist in navigating the grieving process. Additionally, we collaborate closely with our staff to accommodate any necessary adjustments to their workload and schedule, ensuring their needs are met during periods of loss.
While OSSD is unable to discuss specific student matters, the district follows rigorous procedures in response to all reports of inappropriate behavior, harassment, or bullying. Administrators conduct thorough investigations, and if the evidence supports the allegations, appropriate consequences are determined in accordance with district policies. Throughout this process, parents and students are kept informed of developments, and documentation of our procedures are maintained for records. Students and parents can submit anonymous bullying reports both online and in person.
Despite misinformation being spread on social media, our administrators have been and will remain committed to addressing all reported incidents with integrity and dedication to the well-being of our students. OSSD strongly encourages students and parents to report any instance of bullying or harassment directly to school administration by submitting an online bullying report or by contacting their student’s school.
OSSD is steadfast in its commitment to providing a healthy learning environment and meeting the needs of all our students and staff. This is achieved through the many dedicated educators and strong partnerships with agencies and community partners.”
Aubreigh Wyatt’s story is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of bullying and the critical importance of mental health awareness and support for young people. The online movement #LLAW serves as both a tribute to Aubreigh and a call to action to address bullying and promote kindness and mental well-being.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or visit 988lifeline.org.
