Following the loss of Kayden Stockton, a ninth-grade Owensville High School student who reportedly died by suicide on Oct. 29, family and friends continue to voice their grief and support of the family on social media. Kayden’s funeral services were held on Nov. 3 at Gottestroeter Funeral Home before she was laid to rest in Countryside Memorial Gardens.

A common thread through the Facebook posts alleges school bullying.

“Just wanting to honor my baby Kayden Stockton,” her mother, Cindy Wheeler, wrote on Owensville, Mo Talk. “I pray the bullying stops now! That these kids who attacked Kayden daily will wake up now!”

Wheeler’s Nov. 1 post begs students and parents to be aware of their behavior.

A second post from Kelly (N) James Beckman calls for the Gasconade County R-2 School District to do something about the loss of student life.

“We have more deaths than any other in our state in this district than any other,” Backman said.

Students and staff at Gasconade County R-2 School District also continue to grieve. Superintendent Dr. Jeri Kay Hardy said the loss has been hard.

“The loss of any student is tragic for everyone involved, for students and staff and the entire school family,” Hardy said. “Our hearts are with the family of our student.”

When asked if she had seen the bullying allegations, Hardy said she had. As student issues are protected by law, she couldn’t comment on whether one existed or not. However, Hardy did explain the process to investigate reported bullying.

“We have a bullying policy that adheres to state laws, and all bullying reports, once reported, can take up to 10 days for an investigation,” she began. “All reports are handled per state statute, and if a report is substantiated or unsubstantiated, we follow board policy.”

Reports filed within the district are required to be kept on file for 13 years.

“Even if it happens their senior year,” Hardy said. “They are all on file for at least 13 years.”

If reports are considered substantiated, the district follows the disciplinary outlined in the Student Handbook.

“We follow board policy,” Hardy reiterated.

Kayden is the second student at OHS to die by their own hand since 2021, when a sophomore took his life. Hardy said the district provides yearly suicide prevention training and bullying prevention training to both teachers and students.

“Students go through every year from the time they enter school until the time they graduate,” Hardy said. “We provide bullying prevention awareness annually. We train suicide awareness annually, also, to students and teachers.”

Teachers are provided with two or three videos dealing with suicide and suicide awareness.

“We have protocols in place if a student or teacher is struggling, to try to keep them safe at school and get them resources to further meet their needs,” Hardy said.

Hardy emphasized that student deaths weigh on the school and community.

“No one has the answers,” Hardy said. “You remember these kids and don’t forget their names. Somehow, try to keep those memories alive. The ones that linger are the good memories.”

Support has poured in from many people.

“Kayden Stockton, I will always love you with all my heart,” Dianna Kaiulani Wehmeyer shared.

Friends of the Stockton family are organizing a candlelight ceremony in honor and memory of Kayden.

“Anyone who would like to donate lanterns or candles or lighters, please message me or family,” Christine Robben wrote on Owensville, Mo talk. “All Donations will be going to Kayden (in spirit, heavenly Father) and her family.”