Princess Anne urged to look into British School suicide case

MANILA, Philippines - Forty days since British School of Manila (BSM) student Liam Madamba ended his life after his teacher allegedly confronted him over plagiarism, his parents are still seeking the truth behind his death and have appealed to Britain’s Princess Anne to help. 

Liam’s mother Trixie yesterday confirmed that she has sent a letter to Princess Anne. The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II is set to arrive in the country this week as part of the series of high level visits from the United Kingdom to the Philippines.

“We sent her the letter on March 5,” Trixie told The STAR in a phone interview. “We appealed to her to help us in finding the truth about what happened.”

The 18-year old Liam, a graduating student, was allegedly confronted by his teacher over a plagiarism case on Feb. 6. He jumped off a car park building in Makati City and died a few hours later.

“Your Royal Highness, I have lost a kind, gentle, beautiful boy so full of promise. I have many questions that are still unanswered, pieces I would like to put together to bring some semblance of peace and closure,” read the letter published by ABS-CBNNews.com.

“My husband and I chose The British School Manila in the hopes that the adults our son spends a greater part of his day with will continue with the same nurturing we do at home.

“Liam’s last encounter was with an adult, a faculty, to whom I had entrusted his care. All I question is why that encounter left him with feelings of hopelessness and humiliation.

“Because he brought home with him a disgraceful impression of himself that had such finality, that he considered all that he had worked hard and hoped for now dashed to pieces, he jumped from a six-story car park building and died a few hours later,” she added.

No statement has been released yet in relation to the Madamba family’s letter to Princess Anne.

The STAR tried to get a statement from BSM. A representative said the request will be forwarded to the panel conducting an inquiry over the incident.