News Summary
The family of Gabriel Palacios, a seventh grader, has filed a legal claim against the Coronado Unified School District following his tragic suicide. They allege that persistent bullying, exacerbated by the school’s inaction, led to his death. The family contends that bullying, fueled by a social media incident and neurodivergent conditions, went unaddressed by school officials. Their aim is to hold the district accountable and advocate for policy changes to protect students from bullying.
Coronado, California – The family of Gabriel Palacios, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Coronado Middle School, has filed a legal claim against the Coronado Unified School District following his tragic death by suicide in April 2025. The family alleges that the school district failed to address ongoing bullying that they contend contributed to Gabriel’s death.
According to the family’s claim, Gabriel was a target of bullying both in-person and through social media, a situation that became increasingly dire due to his neurodivergent conditions, including Tourette’s syndrome and ADHD. The bullying worsened after Gabriel inadvertently shared a video that contained nude images of himself on social media. Once he realized the mistake, Gabriel promptly deleted the video; however, another student allegedly saved the content and threatened to distribute it further.
After the incident, Gabriel and his mother reported the situation to school officials. Unfortunately, the accused student denied any knowledge of the video, and the school took no further action. This failure to intervene reportedly led to an increase in bullying incidents against Gabriel, as stated in the legal claim. Disturbingly, the family claims that Gabriel was also disciplined for an unfounded weapon allegation at the school, exacerbating his distress.
In an effort to avoid bullying, Gabriel routinely spent his lunch breaks in the counselor’s office, a clear indication of his declining emotional state, which, according to the family, the school was aware of. The family’s attorney, John Gomez, highlighted that the school exhibited significant indifference and disdain towards Gabriel’s safety and well-being, emphasizing the school’s responsibility to protect its students.
Gabriel’s mother, Orsolya Palacios, expressed her profound devastation over her son’s death and criticized the school for disregarding their concerns and failing in their duty to safeguard her son. This legal claim aims not only for accountability regarding Gabriel’s death but also hopes to prompt a change in school policies to better protect students who face bullying.
In response to the allegations, the Coronado Unified School District acknowledged that they are aware of the pending legal matter but stated they could not comment on ongoing litigation. The family has indicated that they plan to pursue further legal action should the district deny their claims.
The legal action taken by the Palacios family underscores an ongoing issue faced by many students dealing with bullying and harassment in school environments. With increasing awareness around mental health and the effects of bullying, the family hopes that their pursuit of justice will lead to significant changes in how schools handle such critical issues.
This case not only represents a painful loss for the Palacios family but also highlights a broader conversation about the responsibilities of educational institutions in protecting the mental health and safety of their students. More advocacy and conversations about addressing bullying are crucial to ensure that no other child endures what Gabriel went through.
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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.
