Clare McCann Mourns the Loss of Her 13-Year-Old Son After Months of Bullying

Australian actress and filmmaker Clare McCann has shared the devastating loss of her 13-year-old son, Atreyu, who took his own life after enduring months of relentless bullying at school.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Clare wrote,
“As my worst nightmare has come to life, my child’s has been stolen.”
She described Atreyu as “the brightest light in my world — kind, creative, and endlessly loved.”

A Cry for Justice and Hope

Following the tragedy, Clare launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking AUD 300,000 (USD 195,000) to cover urgent expenses, including the cryogenic preservation of Atreyu’s body, medical and legal costs, and the creation of a trust in his name to support anti-bullying initiatives.

Atreyu had just started Year 7 at a New South Wales public school. Within two days, he came home in tears, begging for help to stop the abuse.

McCann revealed a pattern of verbal and physical bullying — from taunts and isolation to a horrifying alleged attempt to drown Atreyu during a school camp.

Warnings Unheeded

Despite filing at least ten formal complaints with the school and the NSW Department of Education, Clare says little was done.
“They just destroyed him,” she said through tears. “In a moment of immense pain, he just did something — because I think he didn’t know what else to do.”

After Atreyu confided suicidal thoughts in April, Clare withdrew him from school and sought professional help. There was hope, but the trauma had taken its toll.

A Mother’s Plea

Now, Clare is channeling her grief into advocacy, aiming to raise awareness about the devastating effects of bullying and demand greater accountability in the education system.

“No child should ever feel that alone,” she wrote. “And no mother should ever bury a child because others refused to care.”