Melinda Coleman, mother of Daisy from 2016 Netflix doc 'Audrie & Daisy,' dies by apparent suicide
Melinda Coleman, whose daughter Daisy was a subject of the 2016 Netflix documentary "Audrie & Daisy," has died by apparent suicide.
SafeBAE, an organization for sexual assault survivors co-founded by her daughter, announced the news on Instagram Sunday.
"We are in shock and disbelief to share with our SafeBAE family, that we lost Melinda Coleman to suicide this evening," reads the post. "The bottomless grief of losing her husband, Tristan, and Daisy was more than she could face most days."
Coleman's suicide comes roughly four months after Daisy, an activist for sexual assault survivors, took her own life at 23. According to The Kansas City Star, Coleman's husband Michael died in a car crash in 2009 and her son Tristan, the youngest of Daisy's three brothers, died in a one-vehicle crash at 19 in 2018.
In "Audrie & Daisy," Daisy spoke of surviving sexual assault at 14. The other subject of the movie, Audrie Pott, committed suicide after nude photos taken of her after an assault went viral when she was 15.
SafeBAE went on to describe Coleman as "a gifted veterinarian, devoted mother and wife, and talented body builder."
"More than anything, she loved and believed in her children," the statement continued. "It is no accident that she created some of the most gifted, passionate, and resilient children. There are no words for our sadness, only that if you are struggling with trauma or depression, you are not alone. There is always help and support available."
Paste BN has reached out to SafeBAE and Netflix for further comment.
In August, Coleman, revealed her daughter's death on Facebook, writing that she called the police to check on her daughter before Daisy was found dead in Denver.
Memorial service held for Daisy Coleman, subject of Netflix's 'Audrie & Daisy' documentary
"She was my best friend and amazing daughter. I think she had to make it seem like I could live without her. I can’t," she wrote. "I wish I could have taken the pain from her! She never recovered from what those boys did to her and it’s just not fair. My baby girl is gone."
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.
Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
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Contributing: Carly Mallenbaum