Australian actress Clare McCann has shared the devastating news of her 13-year-old son Atreyu’s suicide, following what she described as months of relentless bullying. In the wake of the tragedy, McCann is urgently raising $200,000 to fulfill her son’s dream of cryogenic preservation—a topic the two had discussed frequently.

In a heartfelt statement on social media, McCann revealed that Atreyu took his life last Friday. Now, she’s racing against time to honor what she says was one of his deepest wishes: to be preserved through cryogenics, in hopes that science might one day offer him a second chance at life.

“All I really need to say is how much I really need these funds to give my son what he wanted,” McCann wrote. “We talked about cryogenics six or seven years ago. He told me he wanted to do that.”

The mother and son often bonded over futuristic dreams—discussing life on other planets, underwater cities, and a world where science could conquer death. “It was our thing,” McCann said. “We dreamt about it so much.”

Describing Atreyu as a “bright light”—creative, kind, and deeply loved—McCann’s emotional post struck a chord with her 62,000 followers. She has since launched an online fundraiser to help cover the costs of cryopreservation, which includes legal and medical expenses, transportation, and establishing a trust in Atreyu’s name.

So far, only a small portion of the $200,000 goal has been raised. McCann added that any surplus funds would be used to support anti-bullying campaigns and advocacy work aimed at protecting other vulnerable children.

She recounted that Atreyu’s struggles began on February 7, his first day of high school after years of homeschooling. “It was relentless,” she said. “He started to withdraw. He wouldn’t talk about everything, but I was advocating for him every day.”

Despite multiple complaints to the school, the Department of Education, and other authorities—backed by medical records and a PTSD diagnosis—McCann said no meaningful action was taken. “They wouldn’t expel or suspend anyone,” she noted. “This system is broken. It fails our children.”

“He was just 13. He deserved a future,” she said. “If the school and the government had acted when I begged them to, he might still be alive.”

Authorities have expressed condolences and confirmed that support services are being offered to students and staff affected by the tragedy.

McCann, known for her work in Blog Party, Clublife, and her leadership role with the Sydney International Women’s Film Festival, frequently appeared on red carpets with her son. On Instagram, she described his passing as “my worst nightmare.”

“It breaks my heart beyond what words can compare to share that in a moment of unbearable pain, Atreyu took his own life,” she wrote. “This was not his fault. He suffered horrendous bullying. Please help me preserve his life.”