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Teen Tweets of Abuse 144 Times, Kills Herself

Ashley Billasano was distressed she couldn't get justice

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 11, 2011 1:30 AM CST | Updated Nov 11, 2011 4:27 AM CST

(Newser) – A Texas teen tweeted 144 times in six hours about being molested by a family member and being forced into prostitution. Then 18-year-old Ashley Billasano killed herself—after announcing to some 500 Twitter followers she was going to do just that, reports the Houston Chronicle. No one sought help for her, reports Fox News Houston. Billasano went to authorities a year ago to report sex abuse, but there was not enough evidence for charges, said officials. "That's when I changed," she tweeted. "I didn't care anymore and the people I was meeting gave me no reason to."

Finally, she announced plans for her suicide."I'd love to hear what you have to say, but I won't be around," she added. Her last tweet: "I hope I get this right." Billasano suffocated herself, using a technique she found on the Internet, said a police spokesman. It's "obvious" she "needed somebody to talk to and that's what I believe those tweets were," he said. "She was trying to communicate and trying to get people to talk to her."

Ashley Billasano told Twitter followers of suicide plans. (Facebook)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 49 comments

beavwarius

Nov 13, 2011 12:28 AM CST

"A priest, a pedophile, and a rapist walk into a bar. Then the second guy walks in."

ypplsuk

Nov 12, 2011 10:29 AM CST

This is SO sad, and all to frequent. I would love to help prevent things like this. Anybody know of any organizations in Boston that deal with these issues? (Teen Suicide & Bullying)

Barack_Must_Go

Nov 12, 2011 4:08 AM CST

This story personifies why the ( Occupy ) movement is an " EPIC FAIL ". This young girl screamed out for someone in the Twitter universe to please save her 144 times, .... they all just looked the other way .. eating their ' free cheese. They ARE the problem, and unfortunately ' for them ' they'll never, ever, in a million years be the solution, yet just to dumb to admit it's true.

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Teen Tweets of Abuse 144 Times, Kills Herself

Ashley Billasano was distressed she couldn't get justice

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