linelight15

[linelight15]

Today We Remember: Megan Meier

Megan Taylor Meier

November 6th, 1992-October 17th, 2006

Megan was born to Ron and Tina Meier in O'Fallon, Missouri. She was described as goofy, bubbly and outgoing girl who loved to make others laugh. She loved volleyball, makeup, MTV, scary movies, Jesse McCartney, Hip-Hop, R&B, dogs, boating, and spending time with family and friends.

Megan hasn't had it easy in life. She was diagnosed with ADD and Depression at a young age, even telling her mom that she wanted to kill herself when she was in the 3rd grade. She also had self-esteem issues because of her weight. She attended Fort Zumwalt Public Schools where she was constantly bullied by her peers. By the time she was in 7th grade, the bullying got worse to the point where she would come home crying every day.

In the Fall of 2006, her parents decided to enroll Megan in Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Dardenne Prairie. She was making new friends, joined the volleyball team and she was happier in her new environment. But Megan wanted more.

The one thing that Megan wanted was to have a MySpace account like her friends, but her mom, Tina would always say no. But after a while, Tina agreed to let her open a MySpace account with very strict rules in place which included the account to be set to private, she would only be allowed a certain time period on the computer and only when her parents were home, and only Tina and Megan's dad, Ron would have the password, to which Megan reluctantly agreed. Every day, Megan would come home from school and go straight to the basement where the family computer was located and have her mom log on to her MySpace where she would stay on there until dinner. On her profile, she put on her introduction:

M is for Modern

E is for Enthusiastic

G is for Goofy

A is for Alluring

N is for Neglected

She would also put countless selfies on her profile.

In mid-September of 2006, Megan was on MySpace and received a friend request from a 16-year old boy named Josh Evans. Megan called her mom down to the basement to show the friend request, saying how hot he looked and she wanted to accept the request. Tina was hesitant as neither she nor Megan knew who Josh was. After some begging, Tina agreed to let Megan accept the friend request. Tina said that she did that because she wanted to build trust with Megan but that she also said that if anything negative or sexual came out of Josh, he's deleted immediately.

Over the next six weeks, Megan and Josh communicated every day, with Josh flirting with Megan, saying things like her eyes were beautiful and "lucky me and lucky you cause your my number 1". Megan felt full validation from Josh, as he was the first boy that though she was pretty, something she always wanted. Megan learns that Josh is originally from Florida, but had recently moved to the area of O'Fallon, was homeschooled and came from a broken home. The constant communication eventually got to the point where Megan considered Josh to be her boyfriend, which worried Tina.

One day, while Tina was cleaning the house, she came across the computer and discovered that Megan had not logged off of MySpace when she was supposed to. She also saw that Josh Evans was online and so she decided that she was going to talk to him herself. When Tina expressed her concerns about their relationship, Josh came off as understanding, which threw Tina off, as this is not the normal behavior of a 16-year old boy. She would later call the local police department, fearing that Megan was talking to a sexual predator, but the police told her that there was nothing that they could do because there was no evidence of harm being mentioned in the chats. When Megan found out about the cops being called, she freaked out, fearing that her relationship with Josh was over. But they would later communicate as if nothing had happened and their relationship continued.

On October 15th, 2006, Megan logs on to MySpace and receives a disturbing message from Josh that says, "I don't want to be friends with you because I've heard you're not nice to your friends." Megan, upset by this message, replied back, "What are you talking about?", but received no response. Tina assured her to not worry about it and try to figure it out the next day.

On October 16th, 2006, Megan went to school and handed out invitations to her 14th Birthday Party to her friends. She had been planning this for a while and had already picked out the outfit that she would wear: a sleeveless black dress with white polka dots, her favorite pattern, and a tiara. She would've also had her braces removed after having them for years and had planned a grand entrance to her party with her dad carrying her down the stairs. But Josh's message was still deep in her mind.

Tina picked her up from school and Megan was feeling upset and wanted to see if Josh responded to her message. Tina logged her on, but told her she had to log off fairly quickly because Tina had to take Megan's younger sister, Allison to an orthodontist appointment. Megan promises that she'll log off after sending one more message to Josh.

Tina calls home after arriving at the orthodontist to see if Megan had logged off of MySpace. Megan said that Josh kept sending her mean messages and had gotten all of her friends to turn on her. Tina, frustrated with Megan, once again told her to sign off and that she'll be home soon. 15 minutes later, Tina calls again and Megan, now in tears, had still not signed off, saying that people were now posting surveys about her saying that she was a slut and was fat. Tina was furious with Megan and kept telling her to sign off.

Tina returned home and went straight to the basement. Megan, still not signed out of MySpace, was crying hysterically by the computer. Tina looked at the page and saw that Megan was firing back at people and using vulgar language. Tina was very angry and yelled at Megan about not signing off when she was supposed to, using vulgar language online and not following the rules that were set in place. Megan then yelled back "You're supposed to be my mom! You're supposed to be on my side!", and then stormed off upstairs to her room. Megan's father, Ron, ran into her as she was rushing to her room. He asked what was wrong and she said that people were being mean to her on MySpace. Ron assured her that they don't even know her and that everything would be ok. Ron then continued downstairs and began talking to Tina about Megan's MySpace while they made dinner.

As they were discussing, Tina stopped mid-sentence and realized that 20 minutes had passed since she'd heard anything from Megan. She knew that something was wrong and took off up to Megan's room. When she opened her door, Tina let out a huge scream. Ron ran upstairs and found Megan had hanged herself in her closet. Ron immediately rushed to cut the belt around Megan's neck and started CPR while Tina called 911. Tina also ordered Megan's sister Allison to run over to a neighbor's house as they knew first aid. The neighbor rushed over to the Meier's and took over for Ron on CPR. The ambulance arrived and took Megan who barely had a pulse. Despite everything the doctors could do, Megan was pronounced dead on the morning of October 17th, 2006.

Tina, feeling that Josh Evans was responsible for Megan's suicide, asked Ron to go home and check MySpace to see what sent Megan over the edge. What Ron would find was the most disturbing thing he'd ever seen. He saw that Josh's account had been deleted and all that was left was the final message sent to Megan. It read, "Everybody in O'Fallon knows who you are. You are a bad person and everyone hates you. Have a sh***y rest of your life. The world would be a better place without you." This left Ron and Tina feeling devastated knowing that Megan died thinking that no one loved her.

Megan's funeral was held on October 21st, 2006 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Dardenne Prairie. Megan was buried in her black and white polka dot dress and tiara that she planned to wear at her 14th birthday. She was interred at St. Charles Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Six weeks after Megan's death, Ron and Tina were getting ready to go to a support group session for parents who lost their kids to suicide, when they got a phone call from a neighbor they didn't know. The neighbor told them that they needed to come over to their place right away. Ron and Tina made their way over where their grief counselor and a counselor from Megan's old middle school were waiting for them as well, and what was waiting for them was the worst thing that they ever imagined.

The neighbor told Ron and Tina that she had information regarding Megan's suicide. They told them that Megan's online boyfriend Josh Evans never existed. He was the creation of another neighbor, Lori Drew. The name was very familiar with the Meier's. Megan was best friends with Lori's daughter, Sarah since elementary school, but once they got to middle school, they were fighting constantly and the friendship eventually ended. Lori Drew, Sarah and one of Lori's friends created Josh Evans for the sole purpose of talking to Megan and find out what Megan was saying about Sarah behind their backs. Tina and Ron felt very devastated and extremely angry after hearing the news.

Once Ron and Tina went home, they opened the garage and saw a foosball table that they promised Lori Drew they would hold onto for Sarah until Christmas. Without thinking, Ron and Tina grabbed a sledgehammer and a hatchet and destroyed the foosball table into pieces. They then grabbed what was left, threw it in the Drew's front yard, where they lived 4 houses away, and left the message "Merry F**king Christmas".

Lori Drew, confused by what happened to the foosball table, walked over to the Meiers and once Tina saw her, she wanted to attack her, but Ron held her back. It was clear that Lori knew that they knew. Lori turned around and called the police on Ron and Tina for vandalism. When the police arrived, Ron and Tina told them about Lori's involvement in creating the false MySpace account that led to Megan's suicide.

After a lot of investigating, the police told the Meiers that there was not a law that Lori Drew could be charged with in connection with Megan's death. Tina was furious about news and it was right then and there that she decided her life's mission was to spread Megan's story to the world and get laws passed that banned cyberbullying.

Tina Meier has created The Megan Meier Foundation, which serves to promote "awareness, education, and promote positive change to children, parents, and educators in response to ongoing bullying and cyberbullying in our children's daily environment". She's also help pass a legislation bill in Dardenne Prairie, appropriately called "Megan's Law". It makes usage of the internet to harass someone a crime.

Lori Drew was eventually charged and convicted of Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in relation to Megan's suicide, but her conviction was vacated by the judge. The Drews eventually moved out of the Meier's neighborhood, but not before Tina let them know that she was never going to stop fighting for Megan and hopes that this will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Lori Drew (right) walking beside daughter, Sarah.

In the years since Megan's death, Tina and Ron have divorced and Tina continues to speak out against cyberbullying across the country and honors Megan's memory with her work. There's not a day that goes by where she does not think about Megan, but Tina knows that Megan is watching over her and is proud of what she's doing.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Life Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

[linelight15]

Today We Remember: Kyle, Emma and Katie Coble

Kyle, Emma and Katie were born to Chris and Lori Coble in Thousand Oaks, California.

Kyle Christopher Coble

May 3rd, 2002-May 4th, 2007

Kyle was described as a very outgoing and caring kid who had a huge love for life and lived it to the fullest from the moment he woke up till the moment he fell asleep. He loved school, T-ball, soccer, Spiderman, riding his bike or scooter, and his many friends and family.

Emma Lynn Coble

April 16th, 2003-May 4th, 2007

Emma was described as quiet but brave. She was always willing to try new things, whether it was eating what her parents were having for dinner or riding the biggest rollercoaster at the amusement park. She loved princesses, riding her bike, playing dress-up, school, dancing, and her dad, whom she had a close relationship with.

Katie Gene Coble

March 6th, 2005-May 4th, 2007

Katie was very independent and outgoing and described as a mommy's girl. She was always wanting to whatever her older siblings were doing. She was learning how to talk in full sentences and was able to ride a tricycle at just a year old. She also loved giving hugs and kisses to her family.

The Day That Changed Everything

On May 4th, 2007, the day after Kyle's 5th birthday, the kids went to a local mall to ride the Ferris Wheel, the Carousel, and do some shopping, with their mom and grandmother. Nap time was around the corner, so the kids were strapped into their car seats and their mom started to drive for home. On the way, they got stopped in California traffic. The last thing that their mom, Lori, remembered was looking in the back seats while the car was stopped. Kyle was playing on his new Nintendo DS that he received as a birthday gift the day before, Emma was watching a movie, and Katie was starting to fall asleep and Lori started tickling her toes so she would be able to nap when they got home.

While waiting for the traffic to light up, a 18-wheeler carrying 20 tons of electronics, was speeding and crashed into the back of the Coble's minivan at 55 mph. Lori's mom, Cindy, remembers hearing the bending and cracking of the car during the crash and the ambulances and firetruck sirens. Because of the severity of the injuries, Lori and her mom were taken to one hospital, Kyle and Katie were taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, and Emma was taken to Saddleback Memorial Hospital in Laguna Hills.

Chris Coble was at work when he got the phone call about the car crash. He rushed to Mission Hospital where the doctor was waiting for him to arrive. The doctor told Chris that Katie died shortly after 2 pm. Then Chris' cellphone rang and it was the doctor from Saddleback. The first thing that Chris said on the phone was "Please tell me Emma is ok?" and the doctor told him that unfortunately Emma had died. Chris dropped the phone and was completely devastated.

Lori woke up in the hospital to Chris by her side. Lori asked if the kids were okay. Chris had the unfortunate duty of telling her that Emma and Katie had died. Lori then asked about Kyle and Chris told her that Kyle survived the crash, but he had to have brain surgery. Lori then told Chris to go be with Kyle, as she didn't want him to be scared.

Chris then headed back to Mission Hospital where he spent one final moment with Katie, holding her and brushing her hand. Afterward, he went to go be with Kyle. The doctors discovered that his brain stem had separated from being hit so hard in the crash. When Chris entered the room, he saw that Kyle's eyes were partially open. Chris breathed a huge sigh of relief, thinking that Kyle was alright. But the doctors told him that he's been declared brain dead and there was no chance of him surviving. After Lori entered the room, Chris told her everything and they had to make a decision. Ultimately, they decided to end Kyle's suffering and take him off life support. That night, they sat Lori up in a wheelchair and placed Kyle in her arms while Chris held his hand, spending Kyle's final moments on earth. Lori and Chris told Kyle that they loved him and that Emma and Katie were waiting for him in Heaven. Kyle died at 8:52 pm.

Lori and Chris Coble went through a long time of mourning and grief. But after a few months, they decided to try to have more kids. After going through IVF treatments, Lori gave birth to triplets (2 girls and 1 boy) on April 30th, 2008. They named them Jake Christopher, Ashley Lynn, and Ellie Gene Coble, giving them the same middle names as Kyle, Emma, and Katie. Chris and Lori sees the triplets' births as a gift from Kyle, Emma, and Katie and a huge miracle.

The truck driver, Jorge Romero, was charged with 3 counts of vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 1 year in jail. Yet after all that they've been through, Lori and Chris chose to forgive the truck driver that changed their lives forever. They also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the California Department of Transportation, claiming the highway exit the car was in at the time was a dangerous one. They unfortunately lost the case and ordered to pay nearly $3,000 in legal fees.

Chris and Lori Coble still grieve for Kyle, Emma and Katie, but continue to honor them through toy drives and spreading awareness on traffic safety. They know that their children are looking down on them and their triplets, giving them comfort and hope, and one day they will see Kyle, Emma and Katie again.