Gay schoolboy found dead in his bedroom weeks after blasting bullies on YouTube
Liam McAlpine, 14 passed away on Sunday with his death being treated as 'unexplained' by police
A GAY schoolboy was found dead in his bedroom just weeks after he posted a video hitting out at bullies - as cops probe a link to powerful prescription drugs.
Liam McAlpine, 14, passed away on Sunday less than a fortnight after he shared a rant on YouTube blasting bullying at his school.
In an earlier video uploaded to the site last month, named ‘Coming out’, Liam revealed he was gay and told how he feared he would be abused by other pupils.
In the most recent clip, the teenager, from Glenrothes, Fife, told how he was targeted at primary school and called on teachers at his high school to “get their act together and get this bullying sorted” - but insisted he wasn’t a victim.
He said: “Every day in primary school I always got bullied.
“At my school, Glenrothes High School, I see people getting bullied all the time.
“I’m not getting bullied.
“You don’t go to school to get bullied everyday. You go to learn. School is meant to be a safe place but getting bullied everyday and picked on, is that really safe?”
He said: “For three years I have been gay. Go ahead and judge me, I don’t care.
“I know folk at school will just say ‘oh haha, you’re gay’.
“Go ahead, I don’t care if you judge me, it’s who I am and i’m proud to be gay.”
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Liam’s shattered family said today they were “devastated by the loss of our beloved son, grandson, nephew and brother.”
Dozens of tributes were also paid to Liam on social media after the tragedy.
Liam’s sister Chjelsea shared a snap of the pair together.
She wrote: “R.I.P Liam. You were the best and only brother I had I love and miss you so much wish you were still here you meant the world to me.
“I am so heartbroken without you Liam, dunno what to do anymore.
“I just wanna be up there with you why did you have to go so soon? You were only 14 years old you had your whole life ahead of you.
“I just remember sitting there for hours with you in your room and we would talk about random stuff you were always so happy and I remember you use to sing to me in Japanese.
“There’s so many things I didn’t get to tell you I use to be able to talk to you about anything and have a laugh with you. Breaks my heart knowing you’re gone.”
Cops are probing claims that the tragedy is connected to prescription drugs which have been shared among youngsters at a number of schools in the area.
On Monday, the day after Liam was found dead, education chiefs sent out a warning to parents in Fife after it emerged that pupils were circulating three types of pills.
One of the drugs is Citalopram which is known to treat “major” depression and according to the NHS has side effects including self harm and suicidal thoughts.
Bedranol, a drug which is known to speed up heart rates, has also been shared among teenagers as well as anti-allergy pill Fexofenadine.
A family friend claimed on Facebook that Liam’s dad William found the lad dead in his bedroom on Sunday.
Headteacher Avril McNeil last night said staff and pupils at Glenrothes High School were “deeply saddened” by Liam’s death.
She said: “Liam was a cheerful, pleasant and likeable pupil with an excellent attendance record at school.
“He will be missed within our school community. Our guidance teachers, psychological and community chaplaincy teams are on hand to offer support to any pupils or staff who may need it.”
She added: “We have a robust anti-bullying policy at Glenrothes High School.
“Bullying in any form is unacceptable.”
Police Scotland last night said Liam’s death was being treated as “unexplained”. It is understood they are not ruling out the possibility that he may have taken his own life.
Detective Inspector June Peebles said: “Liam’s death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with his family, friends and classmates at this very difficult time.
“We are continuing our enquiries into Liam’s death. We would ask anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
A fundraising page has been set up to support Liam’s family with funeral costs. The teen’s mum Tracy wrote: “It’s a comfort to know how loved my little man was, not only by his family, but so many friends too.”
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