When 12-year-old Semina Halliwell found herself in the hospital, she bravely asked the consultant about her fate. She expressed her desire to “go to sleep for a couple of days.” Despite being placed in an induced coma, Semina tragically passed away on June 12, 2021. Just three days before her untimely demise, she shared on social media: “I may laugh and smile every day but I’m in so much pain.”
During the inquest, Semina’s mother, Rachel Halliwell, described the drastic change in Semina’s demeanor leading up to her passing. From being a cheerful and lively girl, Semina had transformed into a withdrawn and depressed individual. Rachel tearfully shared her memories while holding a portrait of her daughter and Semina’s beloved denim jacket.
Coroner Johanna Thompson, in her concluding statement on Thursday, highlighted the complexity of Semina’s social history and her vulnerability. It was determined that Semina’s passing was a result of ingesting her mother’s prescription medications while in distress, with her intent at that moment remaining unknown.
Rachel fondly reminisced about Semina’s love for singing, dancing, and her quirky personality. She recalled Semina’s fondness for TV shows, ballet, and tap dancing lessons, as well as her long-lasting friendships. However, a series of events unfolded in the months leading to Semina’s tragic death.
Rachel recounted how an older boy started contacting Semina on Snapchat during the summer of 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 lockdown. Subsequently, Semina’s transition to secondary school marked a noticeable change in her behavior, with signs of self-harm and a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder emerging.
Despite the challenges Semina faced, including sensory issues associated with her autism, self-harm, and struggles with body image, she confided in her mother about a traumatic incident of sexual assault by an older boy. The family’s attempts to seek justice for Semina were met with discouraging responses from the authorities, leaving Semina feeling vulnerable and unsupported.
Following Semina’s tragic death, the family lodged several complaints against the authorities for their handling of her case. Despite the family’s efforts, the inquest concluded that no entity could have averted Semina’s devastating fate.
Semina’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities faced by individuals, urging for greater support and understanding within communities to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
The coroner disagreed with the family’s claims that Merseyside Police, Semina’s school, health trusts, and Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council had failed in their duties. She stated that there was no evidence indicating that any of these agencies were aware of a real and immediate risk to Semina’s life at any point, which could have prevented her death. Merseyside Police also stated that no systemic failures were found on their part, and there was no proof that they could have prevented Semina’s tragic fate. The police expressed their condolences to Semina’s family and acknowledged the bullying campaign she faced, including on social media platforms like Snapchat. The inquest revealed instances of bullying, including circulating a private photo of Semina and physical attacks on her. The failure of platforms like Snapchat to effectively moderate such harmful behavior was highlighted by a charity representative. Semina’s family, particularly her aunt, emphasized the lack of qualified help and support they received despite their pleas. Semina’s close friend described her as a bright and kind person but noticed a concerning change in her behavior when they entered secondary school. The tragic events leading to Semina’s death have left a lasting impact on those who loved her.
He now believes that she began to travel down the wrong path. Following Semina’s passing, Lincoln decided to leave school. “It was overwhelming because every day there were constant reminders that she’s no longer with us,” he shares. Semina’s mother still struggles to accept her daughter’s death. Since Semina’s passing, Rachel has reported over 100 incidents to the police, including threats towards her other children and vandalism at their home. Within an hour of Semina’s death, trolls began posting cruel messages online. Rachel recalls the trolls even offering a £10,000 reward to desecrate her daughter’s grave. She describes an incident where someone found dog waste covering Semina’s grave. Semina now has a new black headstone with a portrait of her in her favorite denim jacket, reading “Semina Mary Halliwell. Forever 12.” Rachel seeks accountability for her daughter’s death, expressing disbelief and sorrow. “She didn’t deserve to die,” Rachel emphasizes. If you need support after reading this story, resources are available through the BBC Action Line.
