Claire Hadley & Olivia Jessup | Echo
The Marion Police are investigating the death of a McCulloch Junior High Student. The girl's death has been ruled a suicide.
Braylee Rice, 14, a seventh grader and honor roll student was noted missing at around 9:50 Monday morning when the students moved to the next class, according to the Grant County Police.
"They had testing going on today and a group of students were in the gym area. At some point at that time she snuck out," said the Grant County Police.
At 10:17, the Grant County Police received a call that there had been a suicide at the school. Rice hanged herself on the bleachers using a necktie she often wore according to the coroner's report. She was discovered by other students who were walking around the track with their teacher.
"They called for emergency services and tried to get her down," said Marion Police Captain Jay Kay to the Indianapolis Star. Kay noted that they tried to revive her at the scene, but she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The school did not go on lockdown, but followed an adjusted schedule as students stayed in their classrooms, according to RTV6 News. Parents were allowed to pick up their children, and many did, according to WishTV News.
One parent, Jennifer Smith, sought answers from the school after learning that her son had witnessed the young woman jump, according to Channel 13.
"They heard a noise and looked over at the bleachers and she had jumped," said Smith to Channel 13. Smith made her son an appointment with a counselor after witnessing such a tragedy. Grief counselors have been made available to students, according to RTV6.
As to the motive, no official report has been released. Facebook comments have indicated possible bullying, but there are no reports to confirm this, according to the Grant County Police.
