Warning: This article deals with suicide and contains details – included by family request – that may be disturbing to some readers.
Laurenta and Randall Colombe say their daughter Marietta Star was an easygoing, loving child.
“She was very kind and obedient,” says the girl’s mom. “She listened. I always considered her my little helper.”
“It didn’t take much to make her happy,” says her dad.
That is, until recently. The Colombes say their 11-year-old started sleeping more, didn’t want to shower or take care of herself and tried to avoid school.
They say she was being bullied.
“It’s just stupid how society is. The way you’re supposed to look or how you’re supposed to act,” says the girl’s father, her mother adding that she was picked on for her hair and clothes.
Randall Colombe says he went to the north-end elementary school Marietta attended.
“I (said) my daughter doesn’t like being picked on and being bullied, what are you guys going to do about this?” he says. “Nothing was ever done.”
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On Feb. 4, he was finishing at work while his wife took their eldest of seven kids to get a cake for his 18th birthday.
Marietta was left home with siblings and seemed excited there would be cake later.
Laurenta and her eldest returned home two hours later to the unimaginable.
Marietta was found in a room in the basement with a rope around her neck tied to a joist.
“Her face was cold and I just gently laid her down and I started CPR,” says her mom. Paramedics couldn’t save the girl.
Winnipeg police found a crumpled note in Marietta’s pillowcase and the family has since found drawings depicting the girl’s torment at school.
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“That’s pressure, a lot of pressure for a little 11-year-old,” says her grandmother, Freda Moose. “My baby’s gone. It’s so heartless — it’s cruel. Bullying is cruel to death.”
The family is sharing their grief in hopes that schools and parents will do more to stop bullying.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what we’re going through,” Laurenta says. Marietta was the middle of seven children, each now grappling with their sister’s death.
The Winnipeg School Division has conflict resolution and mediation protocols in schools but did not say if those were followed in this matter.
The division told Global News this is a “heartbreaking loss” and intensive clinical services have been provided for staff and students at the school.
Anti-bullying advocates say there’s more to be done.
“We have to continue to have the conversation with kids,” says Carolyn Tuckwell, an anti-bullying advocate with the Boys and Girls Club.
“Help kids understand that really how we interact with each other can have such a positive influence in the world, or it can have a completely negative influence in the world.”
Something the Colombes know too well.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Crisis Helpline.
Bullying is something the person being bullied never forgets. It remains in the victim’s memory bank as long as they live.
This is so sad. Bullying is such an ugly trait. It says so much about how damaged you are. In turn you damage others. Some people can’t handle the pain of being bullied. I feel that bullies need to pay for their verbal and sometime physical assaults. In a case such as this I feel they should be charged with manslaughter. You push someone to suicide you should pay for the crime. Schools do nothing positive anymore. They just want to push their agenda.
My deepest condolences
Absolutely heartbreaking 😢
May your little angel rest in peace 🧡
There was a 12 yr old girl bullied in West Kelowna and the interventions did not stop the bulling. I say go after the bullies and there parents, if you do the crime, pay the fine. Stop protecting them! Sending kids back to school too face these sick individual’s is Wrong. Home school to keep your kids safe or private.
Sorry to read that Marieta thought not being here would be better. Much love to her parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins and the rest of those who knew Marieta.
The parents knew what. Was happening. The fact she was sleeping more. Didn’t like school much. The writing was on the wall. Instead of taking action,they wanted the school to do something. They can’t take a student to a doctor or psychologist. That’s up to the parents. But more needs to be understood of the signs of depression before it’s too late.
The only cure for bullying in school is to get rid of the bully. Seriously. One warning and then expelled them. Anything further on social media, then law enforcement. If that doesn’t work,
Civil action against the
Parents. This conflict resolution and mediation protocols in schools are rubbish and ineffective and a joke and the
Bullies know it. This pink shirt day rubbish is laughable.
It’s pretty rich to offer “intensive clinical services” for staff and students after the fact. Why not when the bullying first comes to the attention of administration? Save a life!
Anti-bullying advocates say there’s more to be done.
Ya’ think?
Get a lawyer! The school knew and did nothing.
And yet teachers keep going on strike because they want more money. Sounds like that’s the only time a teacher will ever stand up for anything. Unprincipled swine, they’re like salesmen in a way.
So heartbreaking that this is still allowed to go on in Canadian schools. I myself did the same, but failed to hang myself at school, from not only the allowed and encouraged bullying at school, but from also always getting in trouble and punished for things like “tattling”, on bullies and bullying in school, for not appropriately fighting my own battles and not propperly defending myself, snd those words from teachers snd principals almost daily as they yell at you for being abused, in trouble for “causing yourself to be bullied”, and for any injuries I managed to do to my gangs of attackers as I fought with everything I had to escape them and live. I still have nightmares snd night terrors from my time in Ontario schools.
Who the hell are the teachers and students…this is not ok!
In my experience, the schools and the police talk a big game, but ultimately do nothing.
My heart bleeds for the pain caused to this beautiful angel and now for her loving family. Shame on the kids and school for such poor oversight and I hope they are disciplined in the harshest manner despite it never undoing the damage they already caused. May this family forever hold onto the memories of their beautiful princess. Her brief existence with you will carry you through each day ahead as she touches you from afar.
This is a preventable death. Actual interventions are available.
When I was a kid school yard tussles were quashed in minutes. Why? Because there was supervision by teachers who came running. God forbid teachers today should have to do their jobs.
If you don’t like being on lunch duty pick another job.
Reality is schools do nothing but tout their processes. Bullying is rampant and the outcomes seemingly worse than 40 years ago – perhaps because everything instantly uploaded to social media for the world to join in.
We’ve got kids being doused with gasoline and set on fire at school. And yet, all the schools do is continue to point to these policies. Where is the supervision? Where is there accountability? School administrators take none of the blame nor responsibility but that’s exactly where it lies.
Poor little angel.!No sweet young child should even know what suicide is. Much less self medicate with it. A tragedy to lose a pretty little innocent girl. I pray for her and for her parents. What a horrible thing to live through.! God Bless.
Biggest lie told in schools is “bullying is not tolerated.
Another thing is, some of these teachers are actually bullies as well. I had to call out on one when my daughter started her 1st day in grade 4. She didn’t want to go back after that, unless they put her into another classroom, which never happened. Sad thing is, they still have the unprofessional pr8ck there teaching 😢
Prayers & Condolences to all family & all who knew & loved 🙏 my daughter was bullied and then jumped last September and nothing was done. I always pray and worry for my daughter as she was also 11 when she was assaulted on School grounds. And for years this was happening while so called teachers just allowed the bullies ostracize and belittle her, which caused her to lose her self esteem and ptsd, etc..
@Joe Blow
Yeahhh, as if it’s the far left kids who are bullying 11 year old girls to death…
Where we the other brothers and sisters. Sorry, but if you bullied my sidter or brother. Look out becsuse i am coming. Note: i am not saying that her family did not do their best
The school system is a disgrace . Don’t send your kids to these far left radical places
Obviously parents failed in making a decent human being and should be jailed and go through some counseling.
The Parents of the Bullies should be Ashamed of them selfs!!! School s are just as Responsible for letting it go on!!
I’m feeling really bad.. that happen to 11 year old girl. Who was beautiful . Being bully .school doesn’t do nothing stop the bully. Hope the bully will guret, what they did at her. Suicide not a joke she was young.. she would be alive joy her life..being a kids. Wasn’t for bully. Need stop.. sorry for the parents find their daughter like that..no parents should find that.. make me cry knowing young woman lost her life.. hate bully they should be kick out of school..
At the very least, before a kid kills themselves, give them a gun to kill the bully first.
My heart aches for this girl. So sad. The rules needs to be : if you get caught bullying, there is a five minute warning, then the bully’s house is flattened. Guaranteed before going to school every parent says”Don’t bully anybody. Try to learn something”
My daughter was relentlessly bullied in St.Norbert. she developed severe anxiety, cutting, and was suicidal also, then quit in grade 8. Nothing was ever done for her. She never told
me til she was 25. Not a single parent took any responsibility for their kids behaviours either. Her life was ruined by those people and the school division that didn’t care. Metis family also.
Are the children (and their parents) responsible for the bullying being questioned?
It’s 2026! Time for this to stop! Adults need to be intervening in these critical situations. Both at school, after school programs, and at home! No children should ever be taken in this manner. Bullying needs have much harsher consequences. This was a preventable situation. Poor angel.
Start charging parents of the bullies for m*rder and suing schools for not doing anything to combat these things. Parents, raise your kids right
Absolutely horrible and heartbreaking. I am sorry for your terrible tragic loss.
I hope this family goes after the school for not being accountable in helping to resolve this bullying and go after those parents of those horrible bullies for causing this poor traumatized child for resorting to taking her own life. So sad. This SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!!
Carney will send them a cheque
I am so sorry for the death of this child. I find most schools do nothing and the bullying continues. My granddaughter who is 7 was told by another little girl to go kill herself.
How about each school start a volunteer group that actually visit the school have school assembly and talk about bullying. Too many parents are loosing their children to suicide.
Send bullies home!!!! Not allowed on school grounds anymore!!!! Bullies should be labeled a danger to children!!!! After all, they are!!! Will any of the bullies get any kind of punishment for contributing to this crime??? They should!!! Charge them as adults too!!! They knew what they were doing and in this day and time they also knew the causes of effects from bullying. They actively CHOSE to be mean!!! IF A CHILD CAN MAKE LIFE ALTERING DECISIONS ( gender ) THEN WHY CANT THEY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOUR??? Schools are supposed to be a safe place!!! Make it that way!!!
Much love to the family of this sweet child 🙏❤️
My condolences for that 🙏 family. How utterly awful things haven’t changed in decades. Those bullies know who they are as well as the so called adults in charge. Cruelty and malice in torturing another fellow human being into doing this is more then shameful. 🤔 🤨 Just think bullies should you have done to you, or yours what you did to another’s family’s member and the hardships and pain it brings. Good leadership and skills would certainly bring better control on bulliism in children, not only now but as they mature into young adults. Decide who’s..in charge????
I cannot imagine a Winnipeg school board addressing racist, Winnipeg is the most racist city in Canada. I spent one year there and couldn’t believe how openly racist it was there. Rest peacefully sweet girl.
11 years old angel…ELEVEN YEARS OLD !!!
Try to comprehend that tragedy…our children committing suicides !!!
What on earth is going on?!?!
I’m crying with you Melissa’s family…I’m so very sorry…
I hope that those who bullied Melissa won’t have a peace of mind as long as they live…same goes for their parents who raised MONSTERS !!!
I would be interested to know if the girl was on psychiatric medication. Antidepressants and antipsychotics are known to cause suicidal ideation.
Very easy to blame others for your failures as parents
This is so heartbreaking
To many kids are doing this over bullying. Time the law charge kids who are bullying and parent face jail time
The government only care if your harassing refugees or immigrant
As a immigrant the government should focus on all bullying not just one culture
So heartbreaking and discouraging what society has become. Some parents absolutely disgust me. I blame them, not the kids. They try harder to be their kids friend rather than disciplinary example.
Schools are pretty much useless when it comes to bullying. They talk a good talk, but when the person being bullied retaliates they are the ones in trouble.
This is heartbreaking. My condolences to her family. Shame on the school for not doing anything to stop the bullying.
All kids found guilty of bullying should be banned from public or private education and left for the parents or juvenile detention to educate them.
Prayers and Condolences go out to her family. She was definitely robbed of a fulfilling life and future. Someone needs to be held responsible for that!
I don’t understand why we never hear from the bullies…. Why do they remain protected when they drove someone to their grace over their behavior… stuff like that need to be addressed why? So the the Bully is held accountable and the situation resonates in their mind knowing what they did.
My deepest sympathy to Marietta Star’s parents, six siblings, and extended family. I hope, that ‘all of your family’ receive professional help to deal with this ‘complicated grief;’ you will likely bear (unfair social criticism). My family bore a similar tragedy (my 15yr. old cousin) for not fitting in at school. A few of his associates knew he was ‘deeply troubled’ but did not tell anyone. Adolescents often confide in their school associates, but, have not developed the maturity to know how to handle the situation. My cousin did not confide his emotions and intent, with any of his family. His parents did not know; nor suspect. However, they dealt with it, on their own; no professional help. Unfortunately, they never got over it. It almost ruined the life of his only sibling, a younger sister, who dealt with the pain; in a very negative way (drugs). She eventually, after receiving professional therapy; became a wonderful woman, wife, and mother.
I hope and pray for all of you, in this time of sorrow. Please try and remember, the joy and love, Marietta, ‘shared’ with all of you. Amen.
Disgusting how there is no accountability from the mother, being poor and hwving seven kids, obviously neglecting the middle child or potentially all of them. Pathetic that you can blame this on everyone else.
SUE THE D@MN SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!
All this help for the kids that bullied her and the adults that didn’t act to protect this young lady. That doesn’t seem fair. May she rest in peace.
If a bully is bullying your children ,go to to the bullies perants ,and tell them in no uncertain terms that if the bullying doesn’t stop ,you will be back ,to see them ,and you will stop it yourself one way or the other ,confront the bullying even if its a kid ,you don’t have to put your hands on him or her but tell them in a stern voice. If the bullying doesn’t stop.you will take action
I would hunt down the parents of the bullies because its payback time and it ain’t gonna be pretty. But besides that, there is clearly more to the story and also if the schools are held responsible for these tragedies it will never end.
Why oh why, are the schools never held accountable?
They always both sides the issue.
Shame shame on the school principal for not taking action against the bullies.
School bullies should be publicly named & embarrassed, their parents too for not disciplining them, maybe it would save a delicate child’s life. You’d think this would be understood in 2026.
My heart bleeds for the family.
Wow,, I’m so sorry for your family. I’m at a loss for words. Godspeed. Greg in Vancouver
I curious how the 11 year old managed to string up a rope and tie a suitable not to hang herself. Where did she learn this?
Who is responsible for providing a safe and encompassing learning environment at our schools? Its not the educators because I can tell you the educators are doing nothing but turning there backs on the bullying that goes on in the schools. I say this from both personal experience in the system and what my sons is currently experiencing. Bullied by the same kids going on 3 years now. We did engage with the educators and it only made things worse. He was labeled a “tattle tail” and has since been bullied even more and isolated. More needs to be done to make the educators accountable, they are compensated very well for what they do and parents deserve better in one of the most funded schools systems in the world. Parents should be able to evaluate the educators and have those evaluations tied directly to any potential wage increases. Something needs to be done before more violence happens in our schools.
My daughter was bullied i was scared so scared of what might happen im lucky to have had the resources to stop it. My prayers are with you all, bullying is not executable no matter what. People are cruel we need to take care of each other. Biggest hugs to the family and friends who never bullied her ❤️
Both my kids were bullied through their elementary school years and the methodology was to “ walk away” from the bully. It was agonizing….. switching schools, quitting our lowest paying job to home school, and sacrificing life’s little extras so one of us could ensure our children’s success.
It worked out for us, but the cost was huge.
Not sure what we would have done if the situation became helpless?
School philosophy seems unable to change.
I believe there is more to this story than being told. My kids were bullied in school because of their color & who they are but we made it through. So what is really going on here?
This is the same reporter that used Crystal Semaganis’s claims that singer ISKWE was a pretendian without fact checking that she is in fact an MMF citizen causing her to face online bullying, slander, and libel. At the time she worked for APTN and when people complained, Melissa started working for Global. The pattern of failing to fact check continues at Global. This is a breach of ethics in journalism and I call Global to take action before more people who are subjected to bullying take their lives. The media, in particular, Global should not participate in harming Indigenous people.
Very sad. What sadder is that? Melissa Ridgen was given the job of reporting this story. It lacks compassion for what this family is going through. I guess If it’s not calling out a pretendian it just doesn’t matter.
This is the same reporter that supports this sort of behaviour among adults. Melissa Ridge is a Crystal Semaganis aka Christine Cameron aka Michelle Cameron supporter who has been wrong several times when calling out what she considers pretendians. Crystal is currently being sued for $500,000 for defamation. This sort of bully behaviour then trickles down in our youth.
I’m not sure if the school did nothing due to her being Indigenous? The school she went to has ALOT of Indigenous children. Schools are overwhelmed with unruly children and their hands are tied in many areas. But , that being said…they have NO excuse for not addressing her Father’s concerns ASAP…NO excuse at all. They should be held accountable yes!!!
This is terrible. My heart goes out to her parents and family. 🙏🏼 So young
The parents need to sue the school and the families of the bullies. The school knew this child was being bullied but chose to ignore it b/c the child was indigenous and of no consequence to society. Everyone should be outraged. This is unacceptable