Australian actress and filmmaker Clare McCann is enduring an unimaginable loss — the death of her 13-year-old son, Atreyu, who tragically took his own life after months of relentless bullying. In a heartfelt message shared publicly, Clare expressed her devastation and called for urgent action to protect children from the suffering that ultimately claimed her son’s life.
Clare, known for her roles in Deadly Women and the film Benefited, announced the heartbreaking news on Instagram. “My worst nightmare has become reality — my child’s life was stolen,” she wrote. “In a moment of unbearable pain, Atreyu ended his life. He was the brightest light in my world — kind, creative, and endlessly loved. We are shattered beyond words.”
According to Clare, the bullying began shortly after Atreyu started Year 7 at South Sydney High School. Within days, he came home in tears, begging her to make it stop. The harassment escalated quickly — from verbal abuse to physical violence, including a terrifying incident at a school camp where classmates allegedly tried to drown him.
“When he told me, I was horrified that the school hadn’t contacted me,” Clare said. “He begged for help. I met with teachers, wrote emails, reported everything to the Department of Education — but nothing changed.”
Clare raised the alarm more than ten times between February and April, providing email records, psychological assessments, and medical documentation, including a formal PTSD diagnosis, as proof of her continuous efforts to safeguard her son.
The bullying became unbearable. Classmates drew on his skin, bombarded him with messages, and subjected him to daily humiliation. Clare eventually withdrew him from school in April when he said, “If I have to go back, I’ll kill myself.” She hoped distance, therapy, and time would aid his recovery — but the emotional wounds ran deep.
“They broke him,” Clare said quietly. “And in one moment of unbearable pain, he just couldn’t see another way out.”
Clare’s heartbreak has now transformed into a mission. She has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking AUD 300,000 (approximately USD 195,000) to cryogenically preserve Atreyu’s body — honoring his dream of “life beyond life.” The funds will also cover legal and medical costs and support anti-bullying initiatives in his memory. Any additional contributions will aid other families enduring similar heartbreak.
“This wasn’t his fault,” Clare wrote. “He was failed by a system that allowed this cruelty to continue. I’m asking for help — not just to preserve my son, but to fight this inhumane epidemic of child suicides caused by bullying.”
Atreyu, already a budding actor appearing in Deadly Women and indie films like Black Truck and Benefited, was described by his mother as compassionate, imaginative, and wise beyond his years. “He had the most beautiful heart. He loved to create, perform, and make others smile. He was my reason for everything.”
Government officials have responded with condolences. NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car described the loss as “heartbreaking” and expressed sympathy for the family. Deputy Secretary of Public Schools Deborah Summerhayes confirmed the Department of Education is providing counseling and wellbeing support for the school community.
But for Clare, condolences aren’t enough. She is using her voice to demand systemic change — from school reforms to stricter accountability for those who allow bullying to go unaddressed. “This isn’t just about my son,” she said. “It’s about every child who feels invisible and unheard. It’s about ensuring no other parent has to bury their child because of cruelty that could have been stopped.”
Despite her grief, Clare continues to honor Atreyu’s belief in hope, love, and life beyond this world. “He used to talk about heaven — how he wanted us to return and do things together again one day,” she said. “He was still dreaming, even through the pain. I can’t let him down now.”
Clare’s message — raw with grief yet resolute — delivers a powerful warning: bullying kills, and silence enables it. Through Atreyu’s story, she hopes to inspire real change and remind the world that compassion, awareness, and responsibility can save lives before it’s too late.
“This is about more than grief,” she said. “It’s about justice, about love, and refusing to let my son’s story end in silence.”