A Bright Life Cut Short
Australian actress, filmmaker and journalist Clare McCann publicly shared the heartbreaking news that her 13-year-old son Atreyu died by suicide on Friday, 23 May 2025. She described him as “the brightest light in my world — kind, creative, and endlessly loved.”
The Bullying That Preceded the Tragedy
According to McCann, Atreyu began attending mainstream school (after being homeschooled) in early February at South Sydney High School in New South Wales. She alleges he underwent months of relentless bullying — physical, emotional, and social — that progressively isolated him and undermined his wellbeing. One report claims he told his mother that if he returned to school he would kill himself, prompting McCann to pull him out.
McCann says she submitted multiple complaints to the school, the New South Wales Department of Education and other child-welfare services — including medical records, psychologist reports and a formal PTSD diagnosis — yet felt no meaningful intervention followed.
The Cryogenics Appeal
In the wake of Atreyu’s death, McCann launched a fundraising campaign via GoFundMe — seeking AU$300,000 (approximately USD 195,000) — to “cryogenically preserve” her son’s body within a seven-day window, based on the hope that future scientific advances might allow for revival.
From an article:
“We only have one chance left to cryogenically preserve his body within the next 7 days. If we miss this window, we lose the opportunity for any future revival that science may offer.”
The funds would cover immediate cryopreservation and transport, plus medical and legal services. McCann stated that if the goal is exceeded, remaining funds will go to establishing a trust in Atreyu’s name, funding anti-bullying campaigns and legal action against institutions she believes failed him.
Funeral and Tribute
Despite the fundraising effort, McCann later announced that the cryopreservation bid had failed, and a funeral was held for Atreyu at Mary Immaculate Church, Waverley. At the service, McCann delivered a moving tribute, calling him her “best mate” and vowing to fight for systemic change in his honour.
Systemic Concerns and McCann’s Advocacy
McCann has framed her son’s death not only as a personal tragedy but as a reflection of deeper institutional failures. She wrote:
“This was not his fault. He was let down by the schooling system as he suffered horrendous amounts of bullying.”
Education officials expressed condolences and confirmed counselling and support services would be offered to the school community.
A Mother’s Grief and a Public Mission
McCann wrote in her announcement:
“It breaks my heart beyond what words can compare to share that in a moment of unbearable pain Atreyu took his own life.”
She said the fundraising campaign isn’t just about pursuing a “second chance” for her son, but about giving voice to the voiceless and preventing other children from enduring the same fate.
Final Thoughts
The death of a child is among the most devastating losses imaginable. In Atreyu’s case, his mother believes that years of bullying and insufficient institutional response played a crucial role. The decision to seek cryogenic preservation has drawn attention and controversy, but for McCann it is intertwined with grief, hope and the urgent desire to see meaningful change.