News Summary
The family of Gabriel Palacios, a 13-year-old who died by suicide, is suing the Coronado Unified School District. They claim that severe bullying and mishandling of issues, exacerbated by a distressing incident involving shared private images, led to their son’s tragic decision. Despite reporting bullying and mental health concerns, the family alleges the school failed to act adequately. The lawsuit highlights ongoing issues with bullying in schools and the need for effective protective measures for vulnerable students.
Coronado, CA
The family of Gabriel Palacios, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Coronado Middle School, has filed a lawsuit against the Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) following the tragic suicide of their son in April 2025. The lawsuit claims that Gabriel took his own life after enduring severe bullying at school, exacerbated by a distressing incident involving private images he shared on social media.
Gabriel, who struggled with neurodivergent conditions including Tourette’s syndrome and ADHD, inadvertently shared a video containing nude images of himself, which led to intensified harassment from his peers. The suit alleges that after the video was circulated, other students threatened to distribute it further, leading to increased bullying.
Despite multiple complaints made by Gabriel’s family to school officials regarding his bullying and deteriorating mental health, the lawsuit contends that the school did not take adequate steps to address the situation. The school’s vice principal reportedly questioned students about their involvement but failed to follow up when they denied it. This inaction allegedly caused the bullying to worsen, with other students using the video as a source for mockery and harassment.
Garnering little aid from the school, Gabriel sought refuge in the counselor’s office during lunch to avoid being bullied and became increasingly withdrawn. The family expressed concerns to school officials regarding their son’s mental health, yet allegations in the lawsuit indicate that the school failed to provide necessary psychological support.
The lawsuit also highlights a troubling incident in which Gabriel was unjustly disciplined for supposedly bringing a weapon to school, which intensified his emotional struggles. On April 10, 2025, Gabriel’s aide, mandated by his Individualized Education Plan, was not present, further impacting his day negatively. Gabriel felt sick that day and left school early with a family friend. Later that night, he died by suicide.
Gabriel’s family firmly believes that the bullying and the lack of intervention from CUSD directly contributed to their son’s tragic decision. The Palacios family is seeking damages for emotional distress, loss of companionship, and statutory damages arising from alleged privacy violations and negligence on the part of the school district.
CUSD has acknowledged the family’s allegations, but officials state they cannot publicly discuss the issue since litigation is ongoing. The school district mentioned being saddened by Gabriel’s death and has indicated plans to defend itself against the claims, characterizing them as based on misinformation. The lawsuit will also target unnamed students involved in the bullying, along with their parents, in an effort to seek punitive and exemplary damages.
This incident brings to light the ongoing problem of bullying in schools, particularly affecting vulnerable students. With the tragic outcome in this case, there are renewed calls for schools to reassess the effectiveness of their anti-bullying policies and to ensure that all students receive the support they need to thrive in a safe educational environment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Family Files Lawsuit Against School District After Tragic Death
Lawsuit Filed Against Coronado Schools After Student’s Suicide
Family Sues School District Over Student’s Suicide
Tim Chin Appointed Executive Director of Emerald Keepers
Coronado Community Celebrates Educators with Heartfelt Classroom Dedications
Tim Chin Appointed Executive Director of Emerald Keepers
Emerald Keepers Initiates Weekly Monitoring Program in Coronado
Coronado High School Dominates Mar Vista in Football Matchup
Coronado High School Dominates Mar Vista Mariners
Family of Deceased Student Files Legal Claim Against School District
Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- Google Search: Gabriel Palacios
- NBC San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bullying
- Fox 5 San Diego
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
