News

Actions

Mural in Manchester honors teen who took his own life

ChanningMural.png
Posted at 1:31 PM, Oct 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-03 23:34:11-04

MANCHESTER, Tenn. (WTVF) — A new mural in Manchester is honoring a student at Coffee County High School who died by suicide.

Channing Smith’s family says he took his own life after he was outed on social media. He confided in a few that he was bisexual, but after texting with another teen, some of his classmates posted screenshots online.

RELATED: No criminal charges expected after Manchester teen takes own life

An anti-bullying project is honoring Smith with a mural in Manchester, located right off Interstate 24 at exit 110. The final product will include the number of the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Sarah Painter and Cosby Haynes are the muralists working on the project. You can follow their progress on Sarah's Instagram here and Cosby's Instagram here.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, there is help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also click here for more information.