Parents Cheryl and Hunter Brown say that their late daughter McKenna was the "glue" that kept their family together.
A devastated family is hoping to inspire teens to be compassionate towards each other after their bullied daughter tragically died by suicide recently.
Parents Cheryl and Hunter Brown told FOX affiliate WTVT that their beloved daughter McKenna was the "glue" that kept their family together.
"She just, she brought everybody in and connected everybody. She was the glue that held a lot of groups together, including our family," said Hunter. "She lit everything up when she walked in a room. Hilarious. Witty," added Cheryl. The Florida couple revealed that McKenna took the drastic step on August 7, just days before her senior year commenced.
McKenna, a hockey player at the East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs, had allegedly been a victim of cyberbullying. Her parents claim that her late daughter had been subjected to "physical, sexual, emotional abuse." "She made a couple mistakes. It led to some physical, sexual, emotional abuse. She was blackmailed. She was bullied. She was betrayed by her best friend," said Hunter.
"She was broken. She was hurt. She was alone. She felt like she didn't belong, but she chose to suffer in silence because she never said, 'I need help,'" he continued. They also claimed that she would often put others' needs before her own but her female friends, teenager relationships and cyberbullying made her freshman year quite difficult and hockey helped her give purpose.
She went on to travel the country to compete at the highest level and was excited when she heard that the University of South Florida was starting up a woman's hockey team. Then earlier this month, the unimaginable happened. "It's been total hell, and I know she's all around us still, but she's not here physically and that hurts," said mother, Cheryl.
A tragic loss in our community. Our thoughts are with Hunter and Cheryl. Palm Harbor parents call for empathy, kindness after daughter dies by suicide days before start of senior year https://t.co/qbGuACJ6sP
— Ron Favali (@rfavali) August 17, 2022
McKenna's parents are now hoping to inspire high schoolers to be kind to their peers. "When you see somebody who is being ostracized or alone or just needs a little hug, pick me up, you know, reach out to them," noted Hunter according to PEOPLE. Per her obituary, McKenna loved "life, her family, God, hockey, The Chapel, her teammates, and friends." She was "a best friend and advocate to her sister McKinley" and is survived by her family including her "older brother, friend, and mentor MacCallum."
"Her grandparents are Sharon McCormick (Tampa), Ruth Brown, & Jim Gardhouse (Guelph Ontario, Canada), and Jean McCormick (Seminole). She has aunts, uncles and many cousins in Missouri, Canada, and Europe. She was preceded in death by grandfathers Don Brown and Kenneth McCormick Sr.," it added. A service was held on August 13th at The Chapel in Trinity
An "open investigation" into MCKenna's death is currently being conducted by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
References:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mckenna-brown-obituary?id=36189747
Cover image source: Legacy
