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Daisy Coleman funeral: Over $8,500 raised in donations, Internet says rape survivors' ‘trauma can last forever’

Coleman's mother confirmed the news in a Facebook post, where she wrote that her daughter 'never recovered from what those boys did to her and it's just not fair. My baby girl is gone'

Sexual assault survivor and advocate Daisy Coleman, who had featured in the Netflix documentary ‘Audrie & Daisy’, has died at the age of 23 by taking her own life. The news regarding her death was confirmed by her mother on Facebook on Tuesday, August 4. 

Her post read, “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. 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."

A Gofundme page has been set up to raise funds for Coleman’s funeral. The family has managed to gather over $8,500 via crowdfunding. The brief on the page states, “This evening Daisy took her own life. This family has endured more loss and pain than anyone ever should. They have suffered so much loss. Now they are faced with final expenses to bring Daisy home to lay her to rest. Please donate whatever you can. Whatever your heart feels you should. Please pray for comfort and peace for this grieving family.”

Coleman alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a 17-year-old boy Matthew Barnett when she was only 14. Barnett, the grandson of former state representative Rex Barnett was arrested following the sexual assault accusations, but the charges against him were eventually dropped by the Nodaway County prosecutor when pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of child endangerment.  

Coleman and her older brother Charlie became a representing voice for the sexual assault survivors nationwide and she was even named by HuffPost as one of the ‘13 most Fearless Teens of 2013’. She co-founded the NGO called SafeBAE (Before Anyone Else), aiming at ending sexual assaults in schools. 

However, Coleman reportedly attempted to end her life on multiple occasions following the sexual assault incident. She and her family were also subjected to extreme cyberbullying, which made them relocate to Missouri. After ‘Audrie and Daisy’, she reportedly worked on her second project titled ‘Saving Daisy’ which focuses on her recovery from PTSD and the use of CBD and EMDR therapy. 

Coleman’s death has shocked social media users, who took to Twitter to send their prayers to her family while pointing at the consequences of online bullying which has cost many lives.  

One fan devastated fan wrote, "I am legit heartbroken about Daisy Coleman's suicide. #DaisyColeman I just rewatched #AudrieandDaisy ... She deserved so much better. Society let her down. The police let her down. The prosecutor's office let her down." Another added, "Daisy coleman was completely screwed by this world and the system. daisy I’m so sorry. I hope you finally find peace in the afterlife and feel protected like you never were on earth"

American culture writer Evette Dionne tweeted, "The trauma of an assault can last forever. I hope Daisy Coleman’s family is surrounded by love in such a dark hour. This is just so unbelievably sad."