Boy's brother says tragedy must serve as a "wake up call" amid fresh debate about bullying as new school year begins in Italy.Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into incitement to suicide after a 14-year-old boy took his own life just hours before the start of the new school year.The family of Paolo Mendico, who hanged himself in his bedroom on Thursday night, say he was the victim of relentless bullying at schools in the province of Latina, about an hour south of Rome. Prosecutors have ordered an autopsy and the seizure of the boy's cell phones and computers as well as those of several of his classmates at school. Investigation Carabinieri police are investigating possible incidents of cyberbullying that have emerged from chat rooms and social media. His parents say that Paolo, whose funeral was held on Monday, was the victim of bullying for years and that their reports of his plight were routinely ignored. Paolo, racconta il Messaggero, era studioso e appassionato di musica e sport. Suonava il basso e la batteria, spesso andava a pescare col papà. Paolo was described as a good student and was passionate about music and sports. He played bass guitar and drums and often went fishing with his father. Last year Paolo moved to a new middle high school to escape the persecution, only to find himself the victim of further insults and taunts in his new school. "How many times I have seen him cry," his mother Simonette La Marra told La Repubblica newspaper, claiming that the complaints filed against the school, including negative comments from teachers, went unheeded. Bullying Paolo's parents say he was mocked for his long hair and called names such as “Paoletta”, "sissy" and "Nino D'Angelo", in reference to the Neapolitan singer. He was regularly assaulted by bullies who would wait for him in the school bathroom. He cut his hair short but the bullying continued. "We filed a complaint with the police as early as fifth grade because he was being bullied" - Paolo's father Giuseppe Mendico told reporters - "A child even showed up in class with a knife, saying he wanted to kill him, while a teacher, rather than taking control of the situation, incited the students by saying, 'Fight, fight.' This complaint was later dismissed." School response The principal of the Pacinotti Institute in Fondi, Gina Antonetti, rejected the accusations of Paolo's family, alleging that the boy attended the counselling centre without any critical issues emerging that would have triggered emergency protocols. Antonetti denied allegations of teachers being indifferent, emphasising the presence of three support teachers and meetings with psychologists, state broadcaster RAI News reports. She also said the entire class and school were present at Paolo's funeral, contrary to what was claimed. Letter to Meloni In the wake of Paolo'ss death, his brother Ivan Roberto Mendico wrote an open letter addressed to Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, education minister Giuseppe Valditara, and Pope Leo XIV, demanding urgent reform. “Despite these situations being repeatedly reported… no concrete action was taken to protect his dignity and safety" - Ivan Roberto wrote - "I ask that the death of my brother and the other victims not be hushed up and that concrete and decisive measures be urgently adopted to combat bullying in Italian schools.” He stressed the need for a “culture of prevention, responsibility, and respect” and said the tragedy must serve as a “wake-up call that can no longer be ignored.” Valditara responds Minister Valditara has ordered two immediate inspections at the schools Paolo attended to verify whether management complied with anti-bullying protocols. Italy's 70/2024 law requires school principals to contact the parents of bullies, initiate educational programmes, and, in serious cases, report the incident to the authorities. "The topic of bullying saddens me greatly; it's a growing phenomenon throughout Europe, linked to the abuse of social media," Valditara stated, announcing a tightening of classroom behaviour assessments as Italy's schools reopen after the summer break.

Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into incitement to suicide after a 14-year-old boy took his own life just hours before the start of . The family of Paolo Mendico, who hanged himself in his bedroom on Thursday night, say he was the victim of relentless bullying at schools in the province of Latina, about an hour south of Rome. Prosecutors have ordered an autopsy and the seizure of the boy's cell phones and computers as well as those of several of his classmates at school. Investigation Carabinieri police are investigating possible incidents of cyberbullying that have emerged from chat rooms and social media. His parents say that Paolo, whose funeral was held on Monday, was the victim of bullying for years and that their reports of his plight were routinely ignored. Paolo, racconta il Messaggero, era studioso e appassionato di musica e sport. Suonava il basso e la batteria, spesso andava a pescare col papà. Paolo was described as a good student and was passionate about music and sports. He played bass guitar and drums and often went fishing with his father. Last year Paolo moved to a new middle high school to escape the persecution, only to find himself the victim of further insults and taunts in his new school. "How many times I have seen him cry," his mother Simonette La Marra told La Repubblica newspaper, claiming that the complaints filed against the school, including negative comments from teachers, went unheeded. Bullying Paolo's parents say he was mocked for his long hair and called names such as “Paoletta”, "sissy" and "Nino D'Angelo", in reference to the Neapolitan singer. He was regularly assaulted by bullies who would wait for him in the school bathroom. He cut his hair short but the bullying continued. "We filed a complaint with the police as early as fifth grade because he was being bullied" - Paolo's father Giuseppe Mendico told reporters - "A child even showed up in class with a knife, saying he wanted to kill him, while a teacher, rather than taking control of the situation, incited the students by saying, 'Fight, fight.' This complaint was later dismissed." School response The principal of the Pacinotti Institute in Fondi, Gina Antonetti, rejected the accusations of Paolo's family, alleging that the boy attended the counselling centre without any critical issues emerging that would have triggered emergency protocols. Antonetti denied allegations of teachers being indifferent, emphasising the presence of three support teachers and meetings with psychologists, state broadcaster RAI News reports. She also said the entire class and school were present at Paolo's funeral, contrary to what was claimed. Letter to Meloni In the wake of Paolo'ss death, his brother Ivan Roberto Mendico wrote an open letter addressed to Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, education minister Giuseppe Valditara, and Pope Leo XIV, demanding urgent reform. “Despite these situations being repeatedly reported… no concrete action was taken to protect his dignity and safety" - Ivan Roberto wrote - "I ask that the death of my brother and the other victims not be hushed up and that concrete and decisive measures be urgently adopted to combat bullying in Italian schools.” He stressed the need for a “culture of prevention, responsibility, and respect” and said the tragedy must serve as a “wake-up call that can no longer be ignored.” Valditara responds Minister Valditara has ordered two immediate inspections at the schools Paolo attended to verify whether management complied with anti-bullying protocols. Italy's 70/2024 law requires school principals to contact the parents of bullies, initiate educational programmes, and, in serious cases, report the incident to the authorities. "The topic of bullying saddens me greatly; it's a growing phenomenon throughout Europe, linked to the abuse of social media," Valditara stated, announcing a tightening of classroom behaviour assessments as Italy's schools reopen after the summer break.