Parents' anguish after 15-year-old daughter's suicide following an 'intense period of online social network activity' and self-harm websites

  • Sadie Walker, 15, committed suicide on Christmas Day 2014 
  • After her death, her parents David and Norma, discovered she had been in active online communities where young people discussed suicide 
  • They have now started a foundation in their daughter's name to help raise awareness of teen suicide 
  • It happened very fast, her father said, over just three or four weeks

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 16:32 EST, 19 August 2015 | Updated: 09:51 EST, 20 August 2015

A Garland, Texas couple whose 15-year-old daughter committed suicide last year are determined to prevent the same tragedy happening from other families. 

David and Norma Walker's daughter Sadie committed suicide on Christmas Day last year, just after opening up her presents that morning. 

Their outgoing daughter's suicide took them by surprise, until they started looking over her social media presence and found that she had been active on sites where teens discussed self-harm and suicide. 

Sadie Walker, 15, committed suicide on Christmas Day 2014. Now her parents are starting a foundation to raise awareness of teen suicide 

Sadie Walker, 15, committed suicide on Christmas Day 2014. Now her parents are starting a foundation to raise awareness of teen suicide 

The Walker family pictured above, from left to right: David Walker Jr, 11; Norma Walker; Daisy Walker, 21; David Walker; and Lucy Walker, 9 

The Walker family pictured above, from left to right: David Walker Jr, 11; Norma Walker; Daisy Walker, 21; David Walker; and Lucy Walker, 9 

'Her decision to take her own life was preceded by a brief but intense period of online activity on different social networks,' her father told WFAA. 

The Walkers say it appears that their daughter joined the online communities at first to help others deal with their depression, but started being influenced by the negative talk. 

'This happened very fast,' Mr Walker told the Standard Times. 'This happened over the course of three or four weeks.'

'Her decision to take her own life was preceded by a brief but intense period of online activity on different social networks,' her father said. The Walkers say it appears that their daughter joined the online communities at first to help others deal with their depression, but started being influenced by the negative talk

'Her decision to take her own life was preceded by a brief but intense period of online activity on different social networks,' her father said. The Walkers say it appears that their daughter joined the online communities at first to help others deal with their depression, but started being influenced by the negative talk

The couple decided to go public with their story in order to raise awareness of these online communities, so that other parents can monitor their children's internet activity. 

They have since set up the Sadie Walker Foundation in their daughter's name, and they advise parents to use apps like My Mobile Watchdog, which allows parents to block certain activities on family phones and keep track of permitted sites as well. 

'Parents need to be on the defensive, and they need to have the tools that allow to be defensive,' David Walker said.

Some of the other apps that the Walkers say are helpful are Family Protector; Mr World, Jr.; and ThurdParent.   

• For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here

• For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here