Daisy Coleman has died by suicide at the age of 23.
Coleman, a sexual assault survivor and advocate for sexual assault prevention, was the subject of the powerfully moving Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy. The film documented Coleman's experience with assault, as well as the backlash she endured for speaking out against her attacker. The film's other subject, 15-year-old Audrie Pott, died by suicide days after she spoke out about her own assault at the hands of three boys in September 2012 in Sarasota, California.
Coleman's mother, Melinda Coleman, shared the tragic news of her daughter's passing on Facebook earlier this week. "My daughter Catherine Daisy Coleman committed suicide tonight. If you saw crazy/messages and posts it was because I called the police to check on her. She was my best friend and amazing daughter," she wrote. "I think she had to make it seem like I could live without her. I can't. I wish I could have taken the pain from her! She never recovered from what those boys did to her and it's just not fair. My baby girl is gone."
In 2017, Coleman helped launch a national campaign called SafeBAE—Safe Before Anyone Else—to help prevent further sexual violence. The SafeBAE organization paid tribute to Coleman on Facebook, as well. "As all of our supporters know, Daisy has fought for many years to both heal from her assault and prevent future sexual violence among teens. She was our sister in this work and much of the driving force behind it," the statement reads.
"We are shattered and shocked by her passing from suicide. She had been in EMDR therapy for 2 years, working on her triggers and healing from the many traumas in her life," SafeBAE's post continues. "She had many coping demons and had been facing and overcoming them all, but as many of you know, healing is not a straight path or any easy one. She fought longer and harder than we will ever know."
Rest in peace, Daisy.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Photo: Getty