Another gay teen victim of bullying?

Lance Lundsten, taken from his Facebook page

Friends of gay teen Lance Lundsten of Miltona, Minn., are saying this week that they believe anti-gay bullying played a role in the 18-year-old’s suicide over the weekend, according to KSAX-TV‘s website.
Officials with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that they responded to an emergency call at Lundsten’s residence about 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, and that Lance Lundsten was then transported to Douglas County Hospital, where he later died. Sheriff’s department officials also confirmed that they believe the young man’s death was a suicide.
Lundsten’s friends at Jefferson High School have created a Facebook memorial page for the teen, and several people posting on the page have said that he was bullied because of his sexual orientation, and that they believe the bullying played a role in his suicide.
Another Jefferson High School student created a separate Facebook page — The Jefferson Anti-Bully Coalition — following Lundsten’s death. That page includes the following statement under the “Info” tab: “Here to stand up for everyone who needs defending. The school’s staff isn’t protecting us, it’s up to the students to help each other.”
The teen’s own Facebook page is here.

14 Comments

Daniel Villarreal on January 17, 2011 at 7:03 pm

Is that a slash mark on his left arm? Was he already suicidal?

Paul Mc on January 18, 2011 at 7:08 am

“Was he already suicidal?” – not sure of your POV here. Are
you saying this isn’t news because he was someone unstable already?
How do you think ‘unstable’ or ‘depressed’ people get that way?
Self-harm is a signficant indicator of suicide risk and if he was
being bullied then of course he may have felt there were fewer and
fewer options open to him. The pain from cutting his arm would not
have overcome his emotional pain and only death seemed a way out
and that’s terrible whatever the circumstances that led up to it.
Suicide, whether sudden or not, is preventable.

Paul B. on January 18, 2011 at 10:34 am

Paul Mc Says it best. A series of events, one no less evil than another, from social pressure from adults, to students in school, they all contribute to depression and eventually suicide. Bullying has reached an epidemic in this country. Some of my “Friends” on facebook and even family members still use “Homo” and fag like it’s okay. Those people are PARENTS for God’s sake. This has to stop.

Hardy Haberman on January 18, 2011 at 10:39 am

He was a teenager. They get cuts and scrapes. A single scar in a fuzzy photo is not a cry for help. The point is his friends believe his suicide was related to bullying. Stop blaming the victim and look at the problem.

DeGuyz in Mississippi on January 18, 2011 at 11:30 am

The parents of these kids that are allowed to bully and be hateful are just as unstable. They should be held accountable. The schools should be sued for not stopping the violence.

Martha on January 18, 2011 at 1:10 pm

I am from the area in which this tradgedy occured, and before you publish any article about Lance or his sexual orientation, you should know that preliminary autopsy reports show cardiac edema (enlarged heart) which can be caused by prolonged anorexia nervose (which Lance had). He certainly may have been bullied, however, you need to get your facts straight before posting information on a subject that you are so uninformed.

Martha on January 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Speculation was that he committed suicide, but until the autopsy is done, keep your comments to yourself out of respect for the family.

Paul B. on January 18, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Dear Martha…Most of us are commenting on what we’ve heard. Not on what we haven’t heard. When you figured out a way to control the universe so that everyone halts what they feel and halts commenting on what they do know, and are able to magically comment on the future, hit us all back with that, wouldn’t ya? When the autopsy comes out and it was theorized that he died of anorexia, then we’ll be more informed, but still not 100% sure. He may have had anorexia, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t commit suicide or wasn’t bullied in school. We still do not know how Michael Jackson died, but as far as you’re concerned the entire universe needs to come to a complete halt until they do? Yeah. That’s gonna work. Stop the world. Marta said so.

Lil' Carl on January 18, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Thanks for pointing out the problem Hardy. It’s a shame when people want to point the finger back at the victim. I suppose you’d have to experience what they go through to understand.

Cindy on January 19, 2011 at 12:14 am

Hi. I just came from Lances funeral tonight. He did not commit suicide. He had an enlarged heart, they just got the autopsy this afternoon.

Gary on January 19, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Cindy’s comments are partially accurate. KSAX is reporting that Lance “did not die from enlarged heart” and are awaiting further tests to determine the cause of death. This was updated today (Jan 19).
https://ksax.com/article/stories/s1932126.shtml

Martha on January 20, 2011 at 11:07 am

Paul B I am NOT asking for a halt to the universe, however, there are teenagers that are grieving for Lance and are having a really hard time dealing with his death. Seeing what people that don’t even know him are saying is very hurtful to these kids. He was a friend, and yes, unfortunately there are ignorant people in this world that are intolerant and use slurs regardless of who they may be hurting. All I am saying is that for people who know Lance, it is hard to see his life discussed in such a public manner by people who didn’t know him……enough said.

Paul B. on January 20, 2011 at 11:37 am

Martha, I get it. I totally get it. Being gay myself, I totally understand how hurtful any comment can be when they are written publicly at such a terrible time for the family. Unfortunately, when an article is written people will find their own way, no matter how twisted or insensitive, to display support or empathy. Some will say things like “bullies should be burned at the stake” because they’re mad and hurt, and some will write things out of passion or concern. The ones that use slurs should be banned or kicked off these kinds of blogs. All in all, it’s the responsibility of the press to report stories as accurately as possible. Being an accredited member of the press myself, that’s the hurdle we often face. Do we report nothing? Do we say “Boy dead in Minnesota” and nothing else? Won’t people be curious who, when and why? At that point we dig deeper, get what we can, and report what is given to us by the detectives, etc. We report the news “as is”..this is what we have so far…”reports say.” Then the public responds. That’s the part we cannot control. And I know, It is very hard to see these comments, especially if you knew him. I’m heartily sorry for your loss. Hopefully, his parents, friends and family are together and concentrating on the grieving process and not reading any of this crap! Be well.

Citizen on January 23, 2011 at 1:57 am

Paul B. wrote, “Some of my “Friends” on facebook and even family members still use “Homo” and fag like it’s okay. Those people are PARENTS for God’s sake. This has to stop.”
It will stop sooner if Paul B. tells them why he doesn’t approve of their behavior on FB. His comments on this blog don’t improve the situation. Like Hardy Haberman suggests above, “look at the problem”.

Daniel Villarreal on January 17, 2011 at 7:03 pm

Is that a slash mark on his left arm? Was he already suicidal?
Paul Mc on January 18, 2011 at 7:08 am

“Was he already suicidal?” – not sure of your POV here. Are
you saying this isn’t news because he was someone unstable already?
How do you think ‘unstable’ or ‘depressed’ people get that way?
Self-harm is a signficant indicator of suicide risk and if he was
being bullied then of course he may have felt there were fewer and
fewer options open to him. The pain from cutting his arm would not
have overcome his emotional pain and only death seemed a way out
and that’s terrible whatever the circumstances that led up to it.
Suicide, whether sudden or not, is preventable.
Paul B. on January 18, 2011 at 10:34 am

Paul Mc Says it best. A series of events, one no less evil than another, from social pressure from adults, to students in school, they all contribute to depression and eventually suicide. Bullying has reached an epidemic in this country. Some of my “Friends” on facebook and even family members still use “Homo” and fag like it’s okay. Those people are PARENTS for God’s sake. This has to stop.
Hardy Haberman on January 18, 2011 at 10:39 am

He was a teenager. They get cuts and scrapes. A single scar in a fuzzy photo is not a cry for help. The point is his friends believe his suicide was related to bullying. Stop blaming the victim and look at the problem.
DeGuyz in Mississippi on January 18, 2011 at 11:30 am

The parents of these kids that are allowed to bully and be hateful are just as unstable. They should be held accountable. The schools should be sued for not stopping the violence.
Martha on January 18, 2011 at 1:10 pm

I am from the area in which this tradgedy occured, and before you publish any article about Lance or his sexual orientation, you should know that preliminary autopsy reports show cardiac edema (enlarged heart) which can be caused by prolonged anorexia nervose (which Lance had). He certainly may have been bullied, however, you need to get your facts straight before posting information on a subject that you are so uninformed.
Martha on January 18, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Speculation was that he committed suicide, but until the autopsy is done, keep your comments to yourself out of respect for the family.
Paul B. on January 18, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Dear Martha…Most of us are commenting on what we’ve heard. Not on what we haven’t heard. When you figured out a way to control the universe so that everyone halts what they feel and halts commenting on what they do know, and are able to magically comment on the future, hit us all back with that, wouldn’t ya? When the autopsy comes out and it was theorized that he died of anorexia, then we’ll be more informed, but still not 100% sure. He may have had anorexia, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t commit suicide or wasn’t bullied in school. We still do not know how Michael Jackson died, but as far as you’re concerned the entire universe needs to come to a complete halt until they do? Yeah. That’s gonna work. Stop the world. Marta said so.
Lil' Carl on January 18, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Thanks for pointing out the problem Hardy. It’s a shame when people want to point the finger back at the victim. I suppose you’d have to experience what they go through to understand.
Cindy on January 19, 2011 at 12:14 am

Hi. I just came from Lances funeral tonight. He did not commit suicide. He had an enlarged heart, they just got the autopsy this afternoon.
Gary on January 19, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Cindy’s comments are partially accurate. KSAX is reporting that Lance “did not die from enlarged heart” and are awaiting further tests to determine the cause of death. This was updated today (Jan 19).
https://ksax.com/article/stories/s1932126.shtml
Martha on January 20, 2011 at 11:07 am

Paul B I am NOT asking for a halt to the universe, however, there are teenagers that are grieving for Lance and are having a really hard time dealing with his death. Seeing what people that don’t even know him are saying is very hurtful to these kids. He was a friend, and yes, unfortunately there are ignorant people in this world that are intolerant and use slurs regardless of who they may be hurting. All I am saying is that for people who know Lance, it is hard to see his life discussed in such a public manner by people who didn’t know him……enough said.
Paul B. on January 20, 2011 at 11:37 am

Martha, I get it. I totally get it. Being gay myself, I totally understand how hurtful any comment can be when they are written publicly at such a terrible time for the family. Unfortunately, when an article is written people will find their own way, no matter how twisted or insensitive, to display support or empathy. Some will say things like “bullies should be burned at the stake” because they’re mad and hurt, and some will write things out of passion or concern. The ones that use slurs should be banned or kicked off these kinds of blogs. All in all, it’s the responsibility of the press to report stories as accurately as possible. Being an accredited member of the press myself, that’s the hurdle we often face. Do we report nothing? Do we say “Boy dead in Minnesota” and nothing else? Won’t people be curious who, when and why? At that point we dig deeper, get what we can, and report what is given to us by the detectives, etc. We report the news “as is”..this is what we have so far…”reports say.” Then the public responds. That’s the part we cannot control. And I know, It is very hard to see these comments, especially if you knew him. I’m heartily sorry for your loss. Hopefully, his parents, friends and family are together and concentrating on the grieving process and not reading any of this crap! Be well.
Citizen on January 23, 2011 at 1:57 am

Paul B. wrote, “Some of my “Friends” on facebook and even family members still use “Homo” and fag like it’s okay. Those people are PARENTS for God’s sake. This has to stop.”
It will stop sooner if Paul B. tells them why he doesn’t approve of their behavior on FB. His comments on this blog don’t improve the situation. Like Hardy Haberman suggests above, “look at the problem”.