UK teen commits suicide after photo of her with headscarf is shared online

London: A 16-year-old girl from the UK took her own life after Instagram photos of her with a darkened skin and a headscarf were widely shared online.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Phoebe Connop, 16, from Halesowen in the West Midlands, had edited the photo after getting into an online relationship with an Asian man. She had then posted it to a private Instagram chat, telling her friends that the only way the man’s family would accept her is if she looked like the person in the photo.

But the image was then taken out of the private chat and spread wider by one of her friends, prompting Phoebe into fearing a backlash, said the report.

The teenager feared that her post would be seen as racist by the Asian community in her area. She confided her fears to a friend, who took down the Instagram post. However, unable to overcome her fears, Phoebe hanged herself.

Her father Laurence Connop told the inquest that there were no indications in the weeks leading up to her death, that Phoebe would commit suicide.

“She was a lovely girl who would never want to cause offence to anyone,” he said.

After Phoebe’s death, a book of condolences was opened in the pupil’s honour at Windsor High School in Halesowen, said the report.

Head teacher Stephen Lanckham said, “We in the Windsor community are deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Phoebe’s parents, family and close friends at this difficult time.”

An area in the school’s garden has been chosen by Phoebe’s parents to be dedicated in her memory, which will allow friends to reflect or pray at the spot.