Princess-Bliss Dickson, a 16-year-old influencer known for appearing on the Channel 5 show Blinging Up Baby, was found unresponsive in her bed at a supported accommodation in Waltham Abbey, Essex. She died from an overdose following years of relentless online bullying, primarily on the forum Tattle Life, which has been described as a 'troll's paradise'.
Mum's Heartbreaking Goodbye
Her mother, Sophie-May Dickson, described the physical agony of grief as feeling like her ribs were 'crushing her organs' as she leaned over her daughter's coffin to say a final goodbye. However, even after sharing a photograph of this 'hardest goodbye', she was met with accusations of using her daughter's funeral for 'clout'.
The Bullying Began Early
The abuse initially targeted Sophie-May, with over 10,000 posts made about her and her family. When she deleted several social media accounts, the trolls turned their attention to Princess-Bliss. The teen tried to remain resilient, telling followers: 'I don't need to be liked by people who don't even like themselves.' Some users created fake accounts to monitor her TikTok and mock her relentlessly.
Who Are the Trolls?
Dr Jessica Taylor, a chartered psychologist, noted that research shows over 90% of such trolls are women, many of them professionals like teachers, nurses, and solicitors. She stated: 'People who stalk and bully children do not live in dark corners of the internet. They live among us.'
Inquest and Police Investigation
At the inquest held at County Hall in Chelmsford, senior coroner Lincoln Brookes expressed condolences to the family. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death as acute toxicity from a prescription drug used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The coronial investigation has been suspended pending a police investigation.
Continued Abuse After Death
Even after Princess-Bliss's funeral on March 26, Sophie-May faced cruel comments. One person wrote: 'Fashion show. It's more about your look than respect for the dead one.' Another said: 'How many takes to make it perfect? You know, for the clout?' Sophie-May responded on Instagram, explaining that she had hired photographers to capture the day because 'your emotions and adrenaline are so high you don't remember it at all.' She added: 'I would not have remembered every part of this day if I didn't hire photographers.'
Speaking to the Mail Online, Sophie-May shared: 'I am currently living every parent's worst nightmare. I took my daughter's phone away, but this did not prevent the bullies from reaching her. Even following her death, the trolling continues.'
