The family of a 14-year-old girl who died on Wednesday after plunging from a balcony in Sevilla have vowed to take legal action against her school.
Grieving relatives of Sandra Peña Villar accuse Irlandesas Loreto, a private Catholic institution, of failing to act despite repeated reports of bullying.
Speaking after a neighbourhood vigil held in her memory, Sandra’s uncle, Isaac Villar, said the family had made two formal complaints to the school, both backed by psychological reports, warning that the teenager was being bullied — but received no response and saw no protective measures put in place.
‘We never got a single reply from the school. It’s unbearable, we keep thinking that if something had been done, maybe she’d still be here,’ Villar said.
According to him, the family first reported the bullying at the start of the previous school year, and again just before the current 2025–2026 term began.
‘Nothing changed, the bullying went on’
The two complaints, submitted in writing, were allegedly accompanied by a psychologist’s assessment as Sandra was already receiving professional support.
The only action taken, Villar claimed, came at the family’s own request, when they asked that Sandra not be placed in the same classroom as those allegedly harassing her.
‘That’s all they did, they kept them in separate classes. But it didn’t matter. The bullying carried on in the corridors, in the playground, even in some shared lessons,’ he explained.
The harassment is believed to have started about a year ago, intensifying in the months leading up to the summer.
Sandra sought therapy as the situation worsened. Villar described the perpetrators as a small group of three, but declined to give further details while the investigation continues.
A community in mourning
During Friday’s gathering outside the family home, dozens of residents and parents expressed solidarity and anger, some alleging similar past incidents of bullying at the same school that were poorly handled.
Villar said his family had no prior knowledge of such cases, noting that the school had long been part of their community.
Investigation under way
Police were at the scene on the day of Sandra’s death and have now opened a formal investigation, which remains ongoing.
The case has shocked Sevilla and reignited debate across Spain about how schools respond to bullying, with growing calls for stricter accountability, clearer intervention protocols and better mental health support for students.
If you are affected by this story, support is available. In the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Spain, the national suicide prevention helpline is 024.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
