EXCLUSIVE
A 14-year-old schoolgirl who took her own life after suffering mental health problems worsened by bullying has left a heartbreaking six-word message for her devastated family.
Isla Marschke's body was discovered by her mother, Christie Jacobson, in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland on Tuesday night.
Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a small note in her room along with her phone password.
'I'm sorry, I love you, mom,' it said.
Mrs Jacobsen said she faced an uphill battle getting help for her daughter, who had suffered from mental health problems for several years.
“I live in a regional town and spent months and months desperately trying to find a child psychologist who could help my daughter,” Jacobsen told Daily Mail Australia.
'But I was constantly rejected because she was too young or the books were full. Follow-up care was nearly impossible. I can’t tell you how many times I would ask for help and be told “no, no, no.”
'While this was happening, she was also being bullied and faced with family dynamic issues.'
Isla Marschke (pictured) was discovered by her mother, Christie Jacobson, in the backyard of her home in Bundaberg South, Queensland, on Tuesday night.
Jacobson desperately performed CPR, but it was too late to save Isla, who had left a small note in her room along with the phone password (pictured: Isla and her mother, Christie)
'But there was really no preparation for this and we are all completely devastated.'
Ms Jacobsen, a piano teacher and performance artist, called for more funding for mental health support in regional areas.
Just two hours before Isla was found, she was talking at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about their upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Ava, who was the last person to speak to Isla, left to work as a pharmacy assistant at the Chemist Warehouse.
His stepfather came and told him the terrible news just before 6pm.
“Isla and I were talking about normal things,” Ava told this publication.
'It's my birthday next Friday and hers is on the 24th, so she was talking about how she got me a present. She looked really good.
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, was bullied and left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she was struggling to adapt.
“She had been struggling for a long time. Last year, two of her former closest friends began bullying her. One of them was posting TikTok videos calling her a rat and stuff,” Ava added.
'I've had to text them before to leave Isla alone and I've had to talk to them at school before to leave Isla alone because it gets so out of hand.'
'They were just horrible to her.'
Isla, who worked at a local fish and chip shop, was bullied and left traditional school in July to start distance learning because she struggled to adapt.
Just two hours before Isla was found, she was happily chatting at home with her older sister Ava, 16, about their upcoming birthdays and the gifts they both wanted.
Isla, who had suffered for years before the bullying began with anxiety, OCD and autism, but her mental state seemed to have improved dramatically after the switch to homeschooling.
“She was thriving, she wanted to be a leader and her school performance was improving,” said Andy McLucas, Isla’s stepfather.
'She absolutely loved it. She found her place, so it was a big shock.
McLucas, who is separated from Isla's mother, said she “went through several periods of counseling and talking to therapists.”
“Once we removed the school element, she was doing really well,” McLucas said.
'WWhen she fell, it was very noticeable. But this wasn't one of those moments, she just seemed a little boring.
McLucas, who said Isla was a talented musician and singer, paid tribute to her “quirky” personality.
Isla was remembered for her 'quirky' personality and was described as a 'ball of awesomeness'
A GoFundMe page, created by Ava to help cover her funeral costs, has so far raised more than $20,000.
“She had such an incredible sense of humor that a lot of people didn’t understand because she was so funny and different,” McLucas said.
'She was so talented. She had a beautiful voice, loved to sing all the time and could play any instrument. She was simply a ball of awesomeness.
His voice was so good that his new school recently asked him to record the national anthem to be played during assemblies.
“She had a lot of empathy for those she loved,” McLucas added.
— And when she liked you, she really liked you. She was very demanding and just didn't get along with everyone, but when she did, she just loved intensely and read you.
“She just didn't know how much she was loved.”
A GoFundMe page created by Ava to help cover the costs of her funeral has already raised more than $20,000.
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