A 16-year-old teenage influencer who was tormented by Tattle Life trolls was found unresponsive in bed after taking an overdose, an inquest heard. Princess-Bliss Dickson died in private supported accommodation in Waltham Abbey on February 7 of this year, a hearing at Chelmsford's County Hall was told.
Background of the Case
The teen had been in the public eye since the age of four, having featured on Channel 5's documentary Blinging Up Baby in 2014. Princess's mother, Sophie-May Dickson, was among the mothers on the show who spent thousands on their children's appearances. At the time, Ms Dickson revealed she loved to give a young Princess and her then-two-year-old sister pedicures, spray tans, and hair extensions.
Inquest Proceedings
The inquest, which was opened on Wednesday, was immediately suspended as a police probe remains ongoing. Senior coroner for Essex, Lincoln Brookes, said he would suspend the coronial investigation as priority must be given to the police investigation. He addressed those at the inquest, saying: My deep condolences to all of you, and I suspect to a great many family and friends that are not here today. Essex coroner Sonia Hayes will take over inquest proceedings at a later date and will periodically review the case, he added.
Coroner's officer Matthew Austin told the hearing that the 16-year-old was found unresponsive in private supported accommodation at the time of her death. She was found unresponsive in bed. An ambulance was called and her death was confirmed at the scene, he told the hearing. Essex Police are carrying out a police investigation into the death. A post-mortem examination was carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital by Dr Liina Palm.
Bullying on Tattle Life
It comes after Princess's mother previously spoke about the bullying her daughter endured on Tattle Life, where anonymous users spread gossip about public figures. Influencer Ms Dickson was the original target of abuse, with more than 10,000 posts about her and her family. However, when she stepped back from posting, her firstborn daughter became the victim of hurtful remarks about her lifestyle and appearance at the age of 14.
Mother's Response to Criticism
Ms Dickson also received backlash after posting pictures from beside her daughter's coffin on March 26. The influencer told followers she did not broadcast this for views, and just wanted to share a very special moment of mine. She wrote: The day I tucked my baby to sleep for the very last time. The hardest goodbye. How do you ever accept kissing your baby for the very last time? I love you, Princess. You are loved beyond belief. I'll see you next in heaven girl. Please be at the gates to greet me when it's my time and show me all around. Miss you so much - this missing piece will never ever be filled. You took a piece of me when you left.
But the heartfelt post has been met with scorn by some users, with one commenting that she found the grieving mother's behaviour totally bizarre. I find this totally bizarre. I remember burying my partner and I could barely get dressed or talk to anyone at all, she added. I know we all grieve different but wow social media and vanity has really got a hold of you. This is truly just weird. I was an utter sobbing, unsocial, miserable absolute hollow mess.
Sophie-May then responded to criticism, writing: This was the last moment of me with my daughter. I had walked away from casket many times but it just didn't feel right to me. Once I collected my belongings from where I sat. My bag and my phone and my order of service booklet I just had to go back. I was ONLY IN THE MOMENT! It was just myself and staff in the room but to me it felt like just myself and my daughter. My phone in my hand because like I say just collected my belongings from were I as seated but couldn't walk away without one last personal moment with my first born baby!! I would not of remembered every part of this day if I didn't hire photographers who were just there silently in the background capturing out beautiful last moments. I would highly suggest to anyone to hire people to watch back this day because your emotions and adrenaline are so high you don't remember it all. So when I saw this piece of footage along with 100s of other beautiful pieces of footage I absolutely adored that those moments were captured and I can always go back to these last moments. And yes I chose to share. So no. In that moment wasn't about future audience. I am just about to walk away from my baby for the very last time for the rest of my life. I did not broadcast this for views. I saw the person who captured this beautiful moment share it and decided to share it myself.
Political Response
In February, a group of 20 Labour MPs wrote to Ofcom demanding it take immediate and decisive action to shut the site after the teenager's death. We write to you as Members of Parliament to request your immediate regulatory intervention in relation to the website Tattle Life, following the death of Princess Dickson, aged 16, they wrote in a letter to Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes and Information Commissioner John Edwards. For over two years, since the age of 14, Princess had been the subject of sustained and escalating online harassment, stalking, and abuse by adult users of Tattle Life. The abuse included repeated derogatory commentary about her body, appearance, mental health, family, and personal life. This activity amounts to persistent online stalking and harassment of a child by adults. Princess was aware of the content being posted about her and became increasingly distressed by the daily bullying and false allegations made on the site.
In a separate post on LinkedIn, Labour MP for Lowestoft Jess Asato, who was one of the MPs, said the website's owner must be held accountable.
Ofcom Investigation into Channel 5 Documentary
The Channel 5 documentary, where Princess was featured, previously sparked a huge debate as well as an Ofcom probe following complaints from viewers. The media regulator assessed the show against section one of the broadcasting code relating to the involvement of under-18s in TV programmes. The code states that children must not be caused unnecessary distress or anxiety by their involvement in programmes or by the broadcast of those programmes. Ofcom bosses later found the show did breach rule 1.28 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
Official Statements
A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: We are very saddened to learn about this death that took place on February 7 this year in supported accommodation. We are working closely with the police and Ofsted as the local safeguarding authority. We will be unable to comment further while the investigation progresses.
Essex Police said: As part of the coronial process, we're carrying out enquiries into the circumstances around the death of a teenage girl. This work is progressing appropriately and in line with the coronial process.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.
