© Trinity Mirror Shared Services Limited Ben Walmsley

The father of a teenage boy found dead at home believes his use of ‘Doki Doki’ - an interactive psychological horror game - could be linked.

Police have issued a warning over the free-to-play ‘Doki Doki Literature Club’, calling the game a ‘risk to children and young people’.

Schools have also been alerted by a coroner investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 15-year-old Ben Walmsley in Radcliffe, Bury, in February, ahead of a coroner’s inquest.

The game features four animated young girls and a boy who wants to join a school literature club with them. There are alternative endings depending on choices made during the course of the game, but it features graphic references and images of violence, suicide and self-harm.

Ben’s father Darren Walmsley, 49, from Radcliffe, said he believes the ‘dark’ game ‘dragged him in’ and revealed Ben was even sketching characters from the game.

He said Ben inputted his mobile phone into the game and would be contacted by text message during the day and at night, often waking him up.

© Trinity Mirror Shared Services Limited

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Mr Walmsley said: “Ben was growing up fast. It is hard for parents but this needs to be highlighted. There is no confirmation yet, but we believe that the game could be linked to Ben’s death. Characters suggest things and you decide what to do. It drags you in and they make it very real.

“Ben did not speak about it, but parents need to be aware of this game and other similar games.

“It is free to download but once you get into it, it will not leave you alone. The characters befriend and love you and give you tasks to do but if you do not do them, they turn nasty.”

The senior coroner for north Manchester has alerted councils and schools, with awareness messages being shared on Facebook.

Ben’s school, Philips High School in Whitefield, posted online: “A concern has recently been brought to our attention by HM Senior Coroner regarding the use by young people of the online game ‘Doki Doki’, also known as ‘Doki Doki Literature Club’.

“This is a psychological horror game with suicide as a main feature. A concern has been expressed that the game may trigger suicidal thoughts in young people who may be emotionally vulnerable. Please monitor and check your child’s internet use regularly and be mindful of the time spent.”

© Trinity Mirror Shared Services Limited A grab from the website

Schools across Greater Manchester and Lancashire have also shared the warning.

Det Insp Jude Holmes, from GMP’s Public Protection Division, urged parents to regularly check websites their children are using, as some aren’t flagged up by usual firewall settings.

She said the force had been made aware of the game and said: “We believe this game is a risk to children and young people, especially those that are emotionally vulnerable and anyone with existing mental health concerns. It’s also really important to discuss with your children which games and apps are suitable, and ensure they understand why others aren’t appropriate to use.”

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Mr Walmsley added: “Children are curious but they can get sucked in. The characters are clearly designed to drag young lads in. It is a game that needs taking offline and destroying.

“Ben was intelligent and funny with a great sense of humour. He was a gent, loving and caring. We just want to find out why and at the moment, it’s all pointing to this game.”

The M.E.N. has contacted US creators Team Salvato for comment. </s> A heartbroken dad has issued a stark warning about the psychological impact of a 'dark' online game after the death of his 15-year-old son.

Police have also urged parents to be vigilant after concerns were raised about free-to-play game Doki Doki Literature Club, calling it a ‘risk to children and young people’.

Schools have also been alerted by a coroner investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 15-year-old Ben Walmsley in Radcliffe, Bury, in February, ahead of an inquest, the Manchester Evening News reports.

The game comes with the warning: “This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.”

It features four animated young girls and a boy who wants to join a school literature club.

There are alternative endings depending on choices made during the course of the game.

It features graphic references and images of violence, suicide and self-harm.

Ben’s father Darren Walmsley, 49, said he believes the ‘dark’ game ‘dragged his son in’ and revealed Ben was even sketching characters from the game.

He said the game was linked with his mobile phone and would be contacted by text message during the day and at night, often waking him up.

Mr Walmsley said: “Ben was growing up fast.

“It is hard for parents but this needs to be highlighted. There is no confirmation yet, but we believe that the game could be linked to Ben’s death.

“Characters suggest things and you decide what to do. It drags you in and they make it very real.

“Ben did not speak about it, but parents need to be aware of this game and other similar games.

“It is free to download but once you get into it, it will not leave you alone. The characters befriend and love you and give you tasks to do but if you do not do them, they turn nasty.”

The senior coroner for north Manchester has alerted councils and schools, with awareness messages being shared on Facebook.

A pre-inquest review is scheduled to take place this week.

Ben’s school, Philips High in Whitefield, posted online: “A concern has recently been brought to our attention by HM Senior Coroner regarding the use by young people of the online game ‘Doki Doki’, also known as ‘Doki Doki Literature Club’.

“This is a psychological horror game with suicide as a main feature. A concern has been expressed that the game may trigger suicidal thoughts in young people who may be emotionally vulnerable.

“Please monitor and check your child’s internet use regularly and be mindful of the time spent.”

Schools across Greater Manchester have also shared the warning.

Det Insp Jude Holmes, from GMP’s Public Protection Division, urged parents to regularly check websites their children are using, as some aren’t flagged up by usual firewall settings.

She said the force had been made aware of the game and said: “We believe this game is a risk to children and young people, especially those that are emotionally vulnerable and anyone with existing mental health concerns.

“It’s also really important to discuss with your children which games and apps are suitable, and ensure they understand why others aren’t appropriate to use.”

Mr Walmsley added: “Children are curious but they can get sucked in. The characters are clearly designed to drag young lads in.

“Ben was intelligent and funny with a great sense of humour. He was a gent, loving and caring. We just want to find out why and at the moment, it’s all pointing to this game.”

Doki Doki Literature Club was released last year by US-based developer Team Salvato.

It is free to download and play, and although it does carry a warning saying ‘this game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed’, there is no proof of age required.

Despite this, it uses graphics and a soundtrack that could potentially attract younger players.

Gamers describe it as a ‘visual novel’, meaning that the person playing it clicks through text to be taken through the game.

Along the way, the player is asked to complete simple tasks which can slightly alter the outcome.

Doki Doki Literature Club follows a boy who wants to join the club and his interaction with female characters.

All seems well at the start - but then things take a worrying turn, and themes of suicide, self-harm, mental ill-health and violence develop.

One gamer said they completed the game in three to four hours.

During that time they watched one character take their own life, and another stab themselves.

They told us the main intention of the Doki Doki Literature Club is to shock those playing it, by leading them to believe what they are playing is a nice, visual novel, before the game flips on its head into a psychological horror game.

A spokesman for the NSPCC urged parents to have regular conversations with their children about how to stay safe online.

A spokesperson said: “Children are spending more time than ever online and, while there may be benefits to this educationally and socially, it can be damaging if they are being exposed to inappropriate or upsetting content.

“It is vital that parents have regular conversations with their children about staying safe online – discussing which games and apps are suitable for them to use and helping them to understand why others are inappropriate. The NSPCC has a number of resources and guides available to help parents’ get to grips with their child’s online world.

“Young people should tell a trusted adult, such as a teacher or a parent, about anything that upsets them or makes them feel uncomfortable while they are online. Childline is also available at all times to provide children with help and advice.”

Anyone looking for further online safety advice can contact the O2 NSPCC online safety helpline on 0808 800 5002 or pop into an O2 store where an O2 Guru can help.

Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk

Online safety advice is also available on the NSPCC website, while detailed information on various platforms can be found on the NSPCC’s Net Aware guide.

If you have been bereaved by suicide, support is available from Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide – www.uk-sobs.org.uk .

* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org </s> Parents and teachers have been told to be on guard against the dangers of Doki Doki Literature Club, after a 15-year-old boy who played the game committed suicide.

Head teachers in schools across the northern English city of Sunderland have been told to warn parents about the evils of Doki Doki Literature Club, after the death of a teenage boy who played the suicide-themed game.

The Manchester coroner’s office, which had been tasked with investigating the boy’s death, informed local authorities across the country about the dangers of the visual novel. This has led the Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board to issue a warning to teachers, who have in some cases passed the information on to parents.

While conceding that the game clearly states from the beginning that it is not suitable for children or people who are easily disturbed, concerned citizens have nevertheless claimed that the cute female characters appeal to children, expressing fear that the game’s dark themes may lead to further bloodshed.

Upon learning about the visual novel, the Manchester coroner said:

I believe the information is so concerning that this warrants my writing at this stage to make the local authorities aware of the issue so appropriate information can be disseminated. This has arisen due to the fact I am conducting the inquest into the death of a 15-year-old-boy who died earlier this year. Evidence obtained suggested he had used an online game called Doki Doki.

The chairman of The Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board, Sir Paul Ennals, stated:

The Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board and its national and regional partners all work together to protect children and young people and promote their welfare. Part of this is sharing concerns about issues and community safety messages on how they might be addressed. On this occasion it was to share information with schools about the death of a young person outside of our area, which the coroner at the inquest felt it was relevant to share with colleagues across the country.

The warning has apparently been heeded by some head teachers, with the head of Hetton Primary School, which teaches children aged 4 to 11, issuing a warning to parents on the school’s Facebook page:

This is the latest in a long line of moral panics in Great Britain concerning anime and video games that feature cute girls, although it may be the first case in which a game has had any links whatsoever to a child being harmed.

No information has been given about any other factors that may have led to the boy’s suicide. </s> A father has hit out at an interactive psychological horror game which he believes 'dragged his son in' and contributed to this death.

Ben Walmsley, 15, from Radcliffe in Bury, Manchester, died in February and his father Darren claims the Doki Doki Literature Club could be linked to his death.

Police have now issued a warning over the free-to-play game, labelling it a 'risk to children and young people'.

Schools have also been alerted by a coroner ahead of a pre-inquest review into Ben's death on June 28.

While there is no evidence to suggest the game is directly linked to the youngster's death Mr Walmsley said he believes the 'dark' game 'dragged his son in'.

The 49-year-old revealed Ben was sketching Doki Doki characters and would be contacted by text message during the day and at night, often waking him up after putting his mobile number into the game.

Mr Walmsley said: 'Ben was growing up fast. It is hard for parents but this needs to be highlighted. There is no confirmation yet, but we believe that the game could be linked to Ben's death.

'Characters suggest things and you decide what to do. It drags you in and they make it very real.

'Ben did not speak about it, but parents need to be aware of this game and other similar games.

'It is free to download but once you get into it, it will not leave you alone. The characters befriend and love you and give you tasks to do but if you do not do them, they turn nasty.'

The Manchester coroner's office contacted local authorities across the country saying: 'I believe the information is so concerning that this warrants my writing at this stage to make the local authorities aware of the issue so appropriate information can be disseminated.

'This has arisen due to the fact I am conducting the inquest into the death of a 15-year-old-boy who died earlier this year. Evidence obtained suggested he had used an online game called Doki Doki.'

WHAT IS THE DOKI DOKI LITERATURE CLUB? The Doki Doki Literature Club features four animated young girls and a boy who wants to join a school literature club with them. It was developed in 2017 by game producers, Salvato, and is believed to have been downloaded more than two million times in the first four months. There are alternative endings depending on choices made during the course of the game, but it features graphic references and images of violence, suicide and self-harm. The game includes mental health issues, voices in the characters' heads, and violent scenes including a player's neck snapping. The game features a warning in bold online which reads: 'This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.'

Philips High School in Whitefield, where Ben was a pupil posted online: 'A concern has recently been brought to our attention by HM Senior Coroner regarding the use by young people of the online game 'Doki Doki', also known as 'Doki Doki Literature Club'.

'Please monitor and check your child's internet use regularly and be mindful of the time spent.'

Schools across Greater Manchester and Lancashire have also shared the warning.

She wrote: 'I wanted to warn parents, especially those who might have older children, about this game. 'The internet is a great thing, but it is also a minefield.'

Detective Inspector Jude Holmes, from Greater Manchester Police's Public Protection Division, said: 'GMP have been made aware of an online game called 'Doki Doki' or Doki Doki Literature Club which is a psychological game.

'We believe this game is a risk to children and young people especially those that are emotionally vulnerable and anyone with existing mental health concerns.

'I would ask parents to check the sites their children are using on a regular basis, as websites like this aren't flagged up by normal firewall settings.'

Mr Walmsley added: 'Children are curious but they can get sucked in. The characters are clearly designed to drag young lads in. It is a game that needs taking offline and destroying.

'Ben was intelligent and funny with a great sense of humour. He was a gent, loving and caring. We just want to find out why and at the moment, it's all pointing to this game.'

Mail Online has contacted US creators Team Salvato and the Manchester Coroner's Office for comment. </s> An online game may pose a danger to children, a coroner has warned.

Local authorities across the country have received a warning over the interactive game Doki Doki Literature Club from Manchester’s coroner office, after an investigation into the death of a 15-year-old boy found evidence he had been playing it.

The Sunderland Echo reports that the coroner’s warning said: ‘I believe the information is so concerning that this warrants my writing at this stage to make the local authorities aware of the issue so appropriate information can be disseminated.

‘This has arisen due to the fact I am conducting the inquest into the death of a 15-year-old-boy who died earlier this year. Evidence obtained suggested he had used an online game called Doki Doki.’

The game is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux and can be bought from the easily downloadable digital store Steam.

Dubbed a ‘visual novel’, it appears at first to be a lighthearted dating simulator involving students in a literature club but is in fact a psychological horror and features suicide as a plot device.

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The game’s horror aspects have led to it being dubbed the ‘most messed up horror game’ of 2017 by reviewers.

Doki Doki Literature Club does open with a disclaimer stating that it is not suitable for ‘children or the easily disturbed’ and on Steam carries the warning ‘content in this product may not be appropriate for all ages, or may not be appropriate for viewing at work’.

However it features anime style female characters which could appeal to youngsters as it gives the impression that the game is lighthearted and fun.

Hetton Primary School in Sunderland have issued a warning to parents on Facebook about Doki Doki Literature Club.

Headteacher Nicola Hill said: ‘I wanted to warn parents, especially those who might have older children, about this game.

‘The internet is a great thing, but it is also a minefield.’

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Doki Doki Literature Club consists of player reading the game’s story, making decisions after being prompted and also features a poetry writing mechanic.

First released in September 2017, the game was created by developer Dan Salvato and had been downloaded two million times by January of this year.

The Samaritans are at hand if you need help. You don’t have to be suicidal to call Samaritans. Whatever you’re going through, call them free any time from any phone on 116 123 (this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch. </s> Police faced a storm of criticism as serial killer Stephen Port was found guilty of murdering four young gay men to fulfil his depraved sexual fantasies.

The 41-year-old chef stalked his victims on dating websites and plied them with drinks spiked with fatal amounts of drug GHB to rape them while they were unconscious.

He dumped their bodies in or near a graveyard within 500 metres of his flat in Barking, east London, and embarked on an elaborate cover-up.

He disposed of their mobile phones, repeatedly lied to police and planted a fake suicide note in the hand of one of his victims, taking the blame for the death of another.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey in London, Port was found guilty of the murders after a jury deliberated for 28 hours and 27 minutes. He could face spending the rest of his life behind bars.

The deaths of Jack Taylor, Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari and Daniel Whitworth over 15 months bore striking similarities, but police allegedly failed to make the link until relatives of his final victim demanded answers.

Mr Taylor’s family, who are planning to sue, said: “We do believe Jack would still be here if they had done their job.

“The police should be held accountable for Jack’s death. We do understand it’s not them who took Jack’s life, but Stephen Port would have been stopped.”

The family refused to accept Mr Taylor would have taken drugs willingly and put pressure on officers to treat his death as suspicious.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “While timely and commendable, this verdict is no compensation for the loss of four young gay men who had their lives, hopes and dreams cut short.”

He accused the police of “class, gender and sexuality bias” and said lives would have been saved if police had acted on concerns sooner.

He said: “If four young well-off women had been murdered in Mayfair, I believe the police would have made a public appeal much sooner and mounted a far more comprehensive investigation.”

An Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry is ongoing into the handling of the case and 17 officers are facing investigation into possible misconduct.

Family quietly cheered as Port was found guilty of murdering Mr Walgate by a majority of 11 to one.

The court heard Port had an insatiable desire for boyish-looking men he referred to as “twinks”. He trawled the internet for pornography involving inert young men being “raped” by older men. </s> MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Investigators hunted Tuesday for possible accomplices of the suicide bomber who attacked an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people and sparking a stampede of young concertgoers, some still wearing the American pop star’s trademark kitten ears and holding pink balloons.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Monday night carnage, which also left 59 people wounded, though a top American intelligence official said the claim could not be verified. British police raided two sites in the northern English city and arrested a 23-year-old man at a third location.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and police said the bomber died in the attack on Manchester Arena — something that went unmentioned in the Islamic State claim, which also had discrepancies with the events described by British officials.

Manchester police chief Ian Hopkins identified the bombing suspect as 22-year-old Salman Abedi but gave no other details. British election rolls listed Abedi as living at a modest red brick semi-detached house in a mixed suburb of Manchester where police performed a controlled explosion Tuesday afternoon.

Neighbor Natalie Daley said she was frightened by a loud bang, then police yelling, “Get in your houses — get away from the windows!”

 “When it’s like two seconds from your house, when you walk past it every day, you do live in fear,” Daley said.

Manchester, 160 miles (260 kilometers) northwest of London, is one of Britain’s largest cities and Manchester Arena is one of the world’s largest indoor concert venues.

Campaigning for Britain’s June 8 national election was suspended in the aftermath of the attack, the deadliest in Britain since four suicide bombers killed 52 London commuters on subway trains and a bus in July 2005.

Teenage screams filled the arena just after the explosion Monday night, and members of the audience tumbled over guardrails and each other to escape.

The attack sparked a nightlong search for loved-ones — parents for the children they had accompanied or had been waiting to pick up, and friends for each other after groups were scattered by the blast. Twitter and Facebook lit up with heartbreaking appeals for the missing.

An 8-year-old girl was among the dead — the youngest known victim — and her mother and sister were among the wounded in what May called “a callous terrorist attack.” The wounded included 12 children under age 16, hospital officials said.

“We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not as a scene to cherish but as an opportunity for carnage,” May said.

The top U.S. intelligence official, Dan Coats, said the American government had not verified whether or how Islamic State was responsible.

Some concert-goers said security was haphazard before the show, with some people being searched and others allowed inside unhindered. The bombing took place at the end of the concert, when the audience was streaming toward the city’s main train station.

Witnesses said the blast scattered bolts and other bits of metal, apparently intended to maximize injuries and deaths.

“There was this massive bang. And then everyone just went really quiet. And that’s when the screaming started,” said 25-year-old Ryan Molloy. “As we came outside to Victoria Station, there were just people all over the floor covered in blood. My partner was helping to try to stem the blood from this one person. … They were pouring blood from their leg. It was just awful.”

The train station, which is adjacent to the arena, was shut down for coming days, authorities said.

With public transport halted, Manchester residents opened their hearts. Taxis offered stranded people free rides home while some residents invited those without lodging into their homes. Twitter users circulated the MissinginManchester hashtag to help people looking for family and friends.

 Grande, who was not injured in the blast, tweeted: “broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.”

Hayley Lunt had taken her 10-year-old daughter Abigail to her first concert. She said the explosions rang out as soon as Grande left the stage.

 “We just ran as fast as we could to get away,” Lunt said. “What should have been a superb evening is now just horrible.”

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II marked a moment of silence Tuesday afternoon to honor the victims. Accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, as well as Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the queen stood at the top of the steps leading down from Buckingham Palace as the national anthem played.

The first confirmed victim was Georgina Callander, whose death was reported by her former school. The Bishop Rawstorne Church of England Academy in Croston, northwest of Manchester, posted a photo of Georgina on its website, smiling in her school uniform. It described her as “a lovely young student who was very popular with her peers and the staff.”

Saffie Roussos, 8, was the youngest victim identified so far. The head teacher of the Tarleton Community Primary School in Lancashire described her as “simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.”

The Islamic State group’s claim of responsibility echoed others the extremists have made for attacks in the West but with vague details that left open the possibility it was an opportunistic attempt at propaganda.

U.S. President Donald Trump, visiting the West Bank city of Bethlehem, said the attack preyed upon children and described those responsible as “evil losers.”

“This wicked ideology must be obliterated. And I mean completely obliterated,” he said.

Grande’s Dangerous Woman tour is her third one and supports her album. After Manchester, Grande was due to perform in London on Thursday and Friday, and later at venues elsewhere in Europe, including Belgium, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France, with concerts in Latin America and Asia to follow.

Grande’s tour has not been canceled or postponed despite reports online, said a person close to the situation, adding that Grande and her team were focused on the victims. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly about the topic.

The Manchester Arena postponed concerts by the pop group Take That scheduled from Thursday through Saturday.

Pop concerts have been a terrorism target before. Most of the 130 dead in the November 2015 attacks in Paris were at the Bataclan concert hall.

Manchester itself has seen attacks before, but not this deadly. The city was hit by a huge Irish Republican Army bomb in 1996 that leveled a swath of the city center. More than 200 people were injured, although no one was killed. </s> Members of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) allegedly protested on Sunday, April 1, after Binto, a Class 9 student of Crossroads School, Pampady in Kerala committed suicide. The family of the victim alleged that the school management refused to him to next class, which lead to such an extreme step. He committed suicide on Saturday night. According to the deceased’s father, he was quite sad because the school refused to promote him in class 10 as he scored poor marks in grade 9. After the incident, members of Students’ Federation of India, barged into the campus and allegedly damaged the school property.

In order to control the violent protesters, police had to resort to lathi charge. Meanwhile, Binto’s father said that the school threatened to remove his son, the management rejected the allegations. The school told the media, that the management of the school never threatened the boy over class promotion. However, the administration accepted that according to passing rules, those who score below 40% in class 9 would not be promoted to class 10. According to passing rules, those who score below 40% in class 9 would not be promoted to class 10. The members of the left-affiliated student’s body, SFI has demanded a special investigation into the suicide incident.

ALSO READ: Psycho Pune techie threatens to kill daughter; beats wife unconscious over uneven roti

According to a report published by IndiaSpend, in 2015, the number of student suicides stood at 8,934. There are many factors that contribute to the high number of suicide rates among young students, such as- failure in examination, career crisis, family issues, sexual harassment, psychological instability, relationship issues among others. Sikkim is India’s 3rd richest state (after Delhi and Chandigarh), by per capita income, and its literacy rate is India’s seventh highest.

ALSO READ: 8-year-old girl inspired by crime show commits suicide by hanging herself in Uttar Pradesh </s> Crosses are seen in a park to commemorate the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland - REUTERS

Two teenagers who survived America's deadliest high school shooting have committed suicide in the last week, bringing fresh tragedy to the Florida community.

A 17-year-old boy who attended the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida - where 17 people were killed last year - died on Saturday in what police are treating as a suicide.

The boy, who has not been named, was in his second year of high school and reportedly died from a gun shot wound to the head.

It comes just days after Sydney Aiello, a 19-year-old recent graduate of the school, took her own life. Ms Aiello's family said the teenager had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered from survivor’s guilt after the shooting, in which one of her best friends, Meadow Pollack, was shot dead.

Former student Nikolas Cruz entered the high school armed with a semi-automatic rifle on February 14, 2018 and left 14 students and three staff members dead, with 17 others wounded.

Sydney, who was not in the room during the shooting, went on to study at Florida Atlantic University but struggled to attend classes because she was afraid of being in a classroom.

Meadow's father Andrew Pollack, who has since become a gun reform activist, told the Miami Herald "Meadow and Sydney were friends for a long, long time".

"It’s terrible what happened," he said. "Killing yourself is not the answer".

The fresh tragedy has drawn calls in Florida for increased spending on suicide prevention programmes and more mental health services for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school community.

More than 60 local school, child services and law enforcement officials met with teachers and parents for an emergency meeting on Sunday.

"Now is the time for the Florida Legislature to help," said Jared Moskowitz, Florida’s emergency management director and a former state representative from Parkland.

Another survivor, David Hogg, who has become a prominent gun control advocate since the massacre, added his voice to calls.

"How many more kids have to be taken from us as a result of suicide for the government/school district to do anything?" he tweeted.

The city's mayor Christine Hunschofsky said Monday that officials are publicising the available counseling services.

In a separate development, the father of a 6-year-old killed in the Sandy Hook school massacre died of an apparent suicide on Monday.

Jeremy Richman's body was found in his Connecticut office building Monday morning, Newtown police said.

Mr Richman, 49, had dedicated his time to helping prevent mass shootings after his daughter Avielle was among 20 children and six adults killed in the elementary school in 2012.

Police said they will not disclose the method or any other details surrounding Mr Richman's death but said that it does not appear to be suspicious.
Following the suicide of a teenage boy from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester in England police issue a public statement and the coroner sends notices to schools warning of the game Doki Doki Literature Club!.