Family, friends gather to remember teen who committed suicide after bullying

HALIFAX – More than 100 family and friends of Rehtaeh Parsons are gathered in a Halifax church saying goodbye to the young woman who took her own life after months of bullying.

Some could be seen hugging and crying in the rain as they entered Saint Mark’s Anglican Church for the funeral for the 17-year-old.

The sound of church bells could be heard echoing through the busy street over the sound of a bagpiper as an eclectic mix of people — from teenagers to politicians — filed into the church.

The service comes a day after the RCMP announced it would reopen its investigation into an alleged sexual assault of Parsons in 2011.

Police say they received new and credible information from a source they claim is willing to work with them.

On Monday, her family went public with her suicide, which they said stemmed from months of bullying that was the result of the alleged assault by four boys when she was 15 years old.

At the time, the RCMP and Nova Scotia’s Public Prosecution Service said there were insufficient grounds to lay charges.