A leading campaigner against child abuse claimed her teenage son was “bullied to death”, after he was found dead at their family home.
Ayden Olson, described as a “beautiful” and “kind-hearted” boy, apparently killed himself yesterday.
His mother Shy Keenan, who has campaigned alongside Sara Payne for tougher controls on paedophiles, revealed the tragedy last night, adding her 14-year-old son had been “bullied to death”.
On her Twitter page, Ms Keenan, from Colchester, left a post reading: “Shy and Tim’s beloved son Ayden died today age 14 — no further update at this time...”
Devastated pupils at the Philip Morant School, Colchester, were told of Ayden’s death yesterday afternoon and have been offered counselling.
Today well-wishers left dozens of tributes to the schoolboy and messages of support for his family.
Dr Payne, mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne, wrote on Twitter: “beautiful kind hearted boy with a wonderful soul”. Actress Brooke Kinsella, who has campaigned for a clampdown on knife crime after the murder of her brother Ben, tweeted: “I am so so sorry Shy. I don’t know what to say apart from I am thinking of you and my heart breaks for you xxxx”.
Megan Grinham, a friend of Ayden’s, posted: “RIP to the most wonderful boy Ayden. At dancing he always made us laugh. Praying for his family.”
Ms Keenan, 49, exposed her own stepfather as an abuser after she made an undercover film of him confessing.
She wrote a book about her harrowing upbringing called Broken, and has continued her campaigning in recent weeks.
A spokesman for the Philip Morant School said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Ayden was a much-loved pupil who brought joy to the school.
“The school community is incredibly saddened by his loss and we ask that people respect the privacy of his family and friends during these devastating circumstances.
“We would urge any student who feels overwhelmed or upset to talk to someone about their feelings and seek support.”
An Essex police spokesman confirmed the teenager’s death was not being treated as suspicious.
“The coroner has been informed of the death and police will be conducting further routine enquiries,” she said.
