Perth teenager Rhianna Whittington took her own life while under state care at Whyalla, South Australia after father and brother died the same way months apart
- South Australian teen took her own life
- She died months after father and brother
- Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
A grieving teenager who ended up in state care tragically took her own life after losing her dad and brother the same way within months of each other.
Rhianna Whittington, 16, was found dead in a public park not far from the government-run home where she lived in Whyalla, South Australia, on June 21, 2022.
Originally from Perth, Rhianna's final two years of life were filled with tragedy and heartbreak.
Her father took his own life in May 2020, just two days after his 42nd birthday. Five months later, Rhianna's older brother, 18, would also take his own life.
Rhianna's death was not made public by authorities who say they did not want to cause further distress to the young people she was living with.
Rhianna Whittington, 16, was found dead in a public park not far from the government-run home where she lived in Whyalla, South Australia in June, 2022
The teenager had the dates of her brother and father's deaths on her Facebook profile, writing: 'r.i.p dad 18/5/78-20/5/20' and 'r.i.p bro 15/12/01-30/10/20'.
Rhianna had been under the care of the Department for Child Protection in South Australia for about six months before she died.
She was frequently reported missing by case workers who say she threatened self-harm.
The 16-year-old attended Southern River Public School, southwest of Perth, and Dianella Secondary School in the city's northern suburbs.
Rhianna was remembered by friends on Facebook as 'beautiful' and 'always loved'.
'This post breaks my heart my first best friend the person that claimed me at the beginning and now I have to say good bye Rest In Peace beautiful I will always love you endlessly,' one friend wrote.
South Australia's Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard told The Advertiser she was 'immediately notified' of Rhianna's death.
She said her death wasn't made public 'based on strong advice about the harm it would cause to children and young people around her'.
Ms Hildyard said before Rhianna died she was provided with regular updates about the efforts the department was making to support the teenager.
'DCP staff formed strong relationships with her and were committed to doing all they could to protect her from further harm,' she said.
'Despite all of the supports in place and the dedicated efforts to keep her safe, regrettably, this young person decided to end her life.
'This shows the unpredictable nature of suicide and the devastating impact on those left behind.'
Rhianna's death was not made public by authorities who say they did not want to cause further distress to the young people she was living with
Ms Hildyard said she would 'weigh up' the implications of releasing more data about the deaths of children known to the Department for Child Protection, but would ultimately be bound by police requirements and family privacy.
Department for Child Protection chief executive Jackie Bray said Rhianna had experienced 'significant trauma' before she entered state care.
Multiple agencies including health, police, education and the DCP had been involved in 'intensive' support efforts, Ms Bray said.
'Children and young people in care, who have suffered significant trauma, are especially vulnerable when they have a history of harm and neglect,' she said.
'Sadly, suicide can be unpredictable and despite supports being in place, tragically, it is not known exactly what may have been in a person's mind at a particular moment in time.'
SA Police have confirmed Rhianna's death is the subject of a coronial investigation.
Her funeral was held in Ceduna, a town on the shores of South Australia's Murat Bay.
In 2021, there were 3,000 deaths by suicide in Australia, an average of nine per day.
Suicide is the leading cause of suicide in young Australians. Over one third of deaths in Australia aged 15-24 were due to suicide in 2021.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
