The tragic death of 14-year-old Jose Emiliano Zamora has left his family and community heartbroken. Jose, a student at Santa Clara High School, died by suicide on November 6, just months after starting at the school.
His father, Jose Bautista, says the teenager had been bullied for being homeless, which he believes played a significant role in his son’s tragic decision.
In an emotional interview with FOX 4 News, Bautista shared that his family had been evicted from their apartment earlier this year, leaving Jose to stay at a shelter while his father tried to find a permanent home.
Bautista claimed that at school, his son was subjected to bullying, including classmates spitting on him and hitting him in the back of the helmet, especially because of their family’s homelessness.
“Jose was just a kid who wanted to fit in, but the bullying took a toll on him,” Bautista said, explaining that his son had been receiving mental health treatment while staying at the shelter. “We were bonding more. He was waiting for a place to live instead of the shelter,” the father added.
Jose’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and support from the community.
A GoFundMe campaign started by the family to cover funeral expenses raised over $100,000 in just one week.
Many donors shared their own experiences with bullying, some revealing how similar torment had nearly driven them to suicide during their teenage years.
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In response to the tragedy, Santa Clara Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Waddell condemned the bullying, calling it “unacceptable” and emphasizing that even one incident is too many.
He confirmed that the district had taken “serious disciplinary action” and is fully cooperating with the police investigation.
Santa Clara police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jose’s death, though they did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The heartbreaking case has drawn attention to the devastating effects of bullying, particularly for vulnerable students facing difficult home situations.